ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Clarksville, TN
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Clarksville.
A new accessory dwelling unit is new residential construction; the 200 sq ft exemption applies only to non-habitable detached accessory structures, not to a dwelling unit
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | A new accessory dwelling unit is new residential construc… |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 4-801 (IRC 2018 R105.2) |
| Based on | IRC 2018 as adopted by the City (effective Jan 1, 2021) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Clarksville building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Civil fine of $50 for each day the violation continues.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | — | Yes | A new accessory dwelling unit is new residential construc… |
| Springfield | 27 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Goodlettsville | 39 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Nashville | 41 mi | Yes | Building a detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) is con… |
| Hendersonville | 45 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Gallatin | 50 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Tennessee city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Clarksville
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Clarksville can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.