Smyrna Zoning & Land Use Guide
Official references and local checks
Use the official references below to identify the rules that apply to your address, then confirm parcel-specific requirements with the local authority before filing an application.
Official references
- Population:
- 53,070
- County:
- Rutherford County
- State building code:
- TN State Fire Marshal enforces code in some areas (based on 2018 IBC/IRC)(statewide default)
- State ADU law:
- No statewide override; local rules apply
- FEMA flood map:
- Search flood zones
- Planning department:
- Town of Smyrna Planning & Zoning
- Municipal code:
- View code online
- Zoning map:
- View local zoning map
Before you apply
- Call the Town of Smyrna Planning & Zoning: (615) 459-2553
- Search the municipal code for the chapter that covers your zoning district and proposed use.
- Use the local zoning map to look up your parcel's zoning designation before applying for a permit.
- Check FEMA flood zone for your parcel — flood-zone status changes setbacks, foundation requirements, and insurance.
- Check your HOA CC&Rs and recorded deed restrictions — they are common in Smyrna and frequently restrict ADUs, fences, and exterior changes beyond what zoning allows.
Key Zoning Facts
Smyrna regulates land use through its local zoning ordinance and Planning & Zoning Department. District names and dimensional standards should be checked against the current ordinance and interactive GIS for the specific parcel rather than relying on older generic summaries.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Status
This review did not establish a general by-right ADU allowance or a blanket ADU prohibition for Smyrna. Tennessee does not impose a statewide ADU mandate that answers the local zoning question.
For a proposed second dwelling, guest house, apartment, or other accessory residential unit:
- identify the parcel's current zoning district;
- check the current use table and accessory-use definitions;
- determine whether the proposal is permitted by right, requires special approval, or is not permitted in that district;
- verify lot, setback, parking, occupancy, utility, and building-code requirements with Town staff.
The page therefore intentionally reports ADU eligibility as not confirmed rather than converting uncertainty into a false “allowed” or “prohibited” statement.
Development Process
Planning/zoning approval and construction permitting are separate checks. Confirm zoning first, then submit the required building documents and complete inspections.
Official Sources
Disclaimer: This guide is for orientation and is not a zoning determination. Confirm the current ordinance for the specific Smyrna property before relying on ADU or dimensional information.
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Smyrna
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 Building Code (IBC/IRC based)
County — Rutherford County
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.
Statewide Context (Tennessee)
Local data for Smyrna is limited. The following state-level facts apply across Tennessee and are inherited by this page until city-specific details are verified.
- State Building Code
- TN State Fire Marshal enforces code in some areas (based on 2018 IBC/IRC)
- State ADU Preemption
- No statewide override
- Coastal Zone
- No
- Wildfire Zones
- No
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 Smyrna permit information →Official Sources
City-specific