Clarksville Zoning & Land Use Guide
Notable local initiatives in Clarksville
Named ordinances, statutes, and reforms specific to Clarksville — each linked to an official source you can verify directly.
Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission (CMCRPC)
Planning and zoning for the City of Clarksville is administered jointly with Montgomery County through the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission. CMCRPC processes all rezonings, subdivision plats, and zoning text amendments, and maintains the official zoning ordinance and growth plan for both jurisdictions.
Source · cmcrpc.comFort Campbell Boulevard (FTC) and Tiny Town (TT) Design Overlays(2024)
An adopted ordinance establishes Design Overlay districts for the Fort Campbell Boulevard (FTC) and Tiny Town (TT) corridors, with area maps, subdistricts, and standards that modify base-zone regulations on building placement, height, parking, materials, glazing, landscaping/buffering, and signage. These overlays target the heavily traveled corridors connecting Clarksville to Fort Campbell.
Source · cmcrpc.comClarksville-Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan (13 district areas)(2024)
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in March 2024 and organizes long-range growth, land use, transportation, and development policy for the joint planning area. It is a policy plan; the adopted zoning ordinance controls parcel-level dimensional and use requirements.
Source · cmcrpc.comClarksville Zoning Ordinance (Municode)
The Clarksville zoning ordinance is maintained by the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission and was updated in 2026. Use the current CMCRPC copy for districts, uses, dimensions, and overlays.
Source · cmcrpc.com
Key Zoning Facts
Clarksville is a city of approximately 166,722 residents in Montgomery County, Tennessee. As one of the state's fastest-growing cities and home to Fort Campbell, Clarksville manages land use through a comprehensive zoning ordinance administered by the city's planning department.
Clarksville's zoning framework includes large-lot single-family zones (R-1, 12,000 sq ft minimum), standard single-family zones (R-2, 8,000 sq ft minimum), multi-family residential (R-3), general commercial (C-2), highway commercial (C-4), intensive commercial (C-5), light industrial (I-1), and heavy industrial (I-2) districts.
Key Zoning Districts
The R-1 district requires 12,000 sq ft minimum lots with 30-foot front setbacks, 8-foot side setbacks, and 25-foot rear setbacks. The R-2 district allows 8,000 sq ft lots with 25-foot front, 5-foot side, and 20-foot rear setbacks. Both single-family districts have a 35-foot height limit.
The R-3 district permits multi-family housing including apartments and townhomes, with dimensional standards that vary based on the specific development.
ADU Regulations
ADU regulations have not been confirmed for Clarksville. Tennessee does not have a statewide ADU mandate, so any ADU allowances would be governed by the local zoning ordinance. Property owners interested in building an accessory dwelling unit should contact the Planning Department at (931) 645-7476 for current rules.
Development Process
Development in Clarksville generally requires obtaining the appropriate permits from the city's planning and building departments. The process typically involves:
- Zoning Verification -- Confirm that your proposed use is permitted in the applicable zoning district
- Site Plan Review -- For commercial and multi-family projects, submit a site plan for review
- Building Permit -- Apply for a building permit with construction documents
- Inspections -- Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy -- Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
For projects that do not conform to existing zoning, property owners may need to seek a variance, special exception, or rezoning through the local board of zoning appeals or planning commission.
Key Considerations
Before starting any development project in Clarksville, property owners should:
- Verify the zoning classification of their property
- Review setback, height, and lot coverage requirements
- Check for any overlay districts or special regulations
- Determine if the property is in a flood zone using FEMA's flood map service
- Confirm whether HOA covenants or deed restrictions apply
- Contact the planning department at (931) 645-7476 for pre-application guidance
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Clarksville and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the Clarksville Planning Department or municipal code before making development decisions.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Clarksville
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA flood mapping: check parcel-specific flood-zone status
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Tennessee
- Building Code: TN State Fire Marshal codes (IBC/IRC based)
County — Montgomery County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
- Check HOA CC&Rs and deed restrictions for additional requirements.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 15,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 40 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft minimum each / 30 ft total
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 12,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 40 ft
- Side Setback
- 10 ft minimum each / 20 ft total
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 9,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 40 ft
- Side Setback
- 8 ft minimum each / 16 ft total
- Rear Setback
- 25 ft
- Min Lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 35 ft
- Front Setback
- 30 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft minimum each / 10 ft total
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
Permit Costs & Timelines
Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines
Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.
Check current Clarksville permit information →Official Sources
City-specific