Permit Requirements

Tree Removal permit in Nashville, TN

We couldn't confirm this from Nashville's code.

Rather than guess, here is the exact section to read and who to call. A rule appears on this site only when the ordinance states it plainly.

Read 17.40.470

Contact the Nashville building department

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.

CityDistance Permit?Where the line falls
Nashville Depends Metro has a tree removal permit process, and an applicati…
Chattanooga 115 mi No The Chattanooga Tree Ordinance does not apply to a parcel…
Deltona 598 mi Yes You cannot cut, move, remove, or destroy any regulated tr…
Clearwater 613 mi Yes Removing a tree from private property needs a tree remova…
Largo 617 mi Depends Over 10 in across
Tampa 620 mi Depends You need a permit to remove a protected or grand tree, ev…

See every Tennessee city on tree removal work

Other work in Nashville

Questions people ask

My tree removal is right at the limit. Does that count?

The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.

I already built it without a permit. What now?

Nashville 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.