Davidson county zoning

[Mark Pierce]

Looking at some tear down homes for sale in the Nashville area. Some of these are zoned R11, which I assume falls under this description 

• R10 (low-medium density residential, requiring a minimum 10,000 square foot lot and intended for single and two-family dwellings)

What happens if the lot isn't that big but there's already a house on it. Ie. 8000 sqft lot with a SFR on it. Can that be torn down and rebuilt? Does it take a special permit?

Thanks. Mark

[Luka Milicevic]

What Jamie said is pretty much what I would say, but have a few things to add.

R-Intended for single or multi family dwelling

Rs-Intended for single family dwelling

The number after the letter represents the lot size requirement. The zoning is not R11 on this lot. You are probably looking at the property report card and not the parcel map. The parcel map is what will tell you the actual current and historical property zoning. Look up the lot on the parcel viewer to be sure on the lot size requirement. 

In terms of changing a lot into what you want to build. For example, if a lot is big enough for 2 homes, but is zoned Rs you can try for a variance. I have recently heard that investors are having success subdividing Rs lots in order to build 2. 

I must say that the city is actually remarkably efficient and helpful when it comes to the building craze going on right now.