Hendersonville, Tennessee zoning
A plain-language summary of the Hendersonville zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on city-hosted PDF, last reviewed July 3, 2026.
Zoning districts
- RRResidential
Rural Residential
Very low-density rural living district for detached homes, conservation/open space, agriculture, parks, and compatible institutional uses.
- ERResidential
Estate Residential
Low-density estate residential district for large-lot detached homes, conservation subdivisions, parks, open space, and compatible institutional uses.
- SR-1Residential
Suburban Residential Low-Density
Low-density suburban residential district focused on detached dwellings and compatible institutions.
- SR-2Residential
Suburban Residential Medium-Density
Medium-density suburban residential district allowing detached and attached residential development designed to blend with surrounding neighborhoods.
- SR-3Residential
Suburban Residential Preservation
Residential preservation district intended to maintain existing residential areas while allowing replacement, reuse, and limited-density new construction.
- THRResidential
Townhome Residential
Townhome residential district for medium- to high-density attached townhomes and villas, permitted only with a planned development overlay.
- WRResidential
Waterfront Residential
Waterfront residential district for mixed housing types and certain water-dependent nonresidential uses.
- MFRResidential
Multi-Family Residential
Multi-family residential district for high-density attached and multi-family development, serving as a transition between suburban residential districts and more intensive districts.
- DNMixed use
Dockside Neighborhood
Dockside neighborhood district for the Westlake/Dockside area with residential and limited mixed-use standards tied to map notes.
- NCCommercial
Neighborhood Commercial
Neighborhood commercial district for smaller-scale retail and service uses serving nearby neighborhoods.
- OCommercial
Office
Office district for professional and office uses, often serving as a transition between residential and more intensive commercial uses.
- GCCommercial
General Commercial
General commercial district for offices, retail, restaurants, hotels, and other general commercial uses.
- HCCommercial
Heavy Commercial
Heavy commercial district for specialized commercial, contractor, storage, and service uses with buffering from residential areas.
- IIndustrial
Industrial
Industrial district for manufacturing, warehouse, distribution, and other employment-creating economic activities.
- MXRMixed use
Mixed Residential
Mixed residential district for master planned developments with varied residential types and supporting uses.
- MXCMixed use
Mixed Commercial
Mixed commercial district for master planned commercial or mixed-use development.
- PDSpecial purpose
Planned Development Overlay
Planned development overlay where approved plans, ordinances, and conditions can control parcel-specific uses and standards.
Rules by topic
- Permitted usesWhat you can do by right in each zoning district.
- Special land usesUses that need special approval before they are allowed.
- SetbacksHow far buildings must sit from property lines.
- Building heightHeight limits by district, and the exceptions.
- Lot coverageHow much of a lot buildings may cover.
- Lot size and widthMinimum lot area and width requirements.
- ParkingRequired spaces, driveway rules, and surfaces.
- Accessory dwelling unitsWhether a second dwelling unit is allowed.
- Garages, sheds, and accessory structuresSize caps, setbacks, and height limits for detached structures.
- FencesHeight limits, placement, and prohibited materials.
- SignsWhat signs are allowed and where.
- Home occupationsRunning a business from a residence.
- Variances and appealsWho decides, what standard applies, and the sequence.
Common questions
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