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Zoning Enforcement FAQs

1. What is a junk vehicle?

An unlicensed,  junk or dismantled car is defined as any motor vehicle; including cars, trucks, tractor trailers, buses, motorcycles, campers, and travel trailers which does not have a lawfully affixed thereto an un-expired license plate and/or the condition of which is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, inoperative, abandoned, or discarded.

2. How long is a junk vehicle allowed to be parked on a property?

It shall be unlawful and considered to be a violation to park, store, leave, or permit the same of any abandoned or junked motor vehicle on any lot or parcel or any public right-of-way for a period in excess of one (1) week.  Personal vehicles for sale must be owned by the individual and on the property that the vehicle owner occupies.  The presence of any such vehicle or parts thereof is considered to be evidence of a violation.

3. What is Care of Premises?

An accumulation of debris, trash, litter or garbage.  Such items may include household trash that is allowed to accumulate on a property for an extended period of time.  If any accumulation of the above mentioned items creates an attractive nuisance or other danger to the general public at large would also be considered a violation.  This would not include the brief, temporary storage of debris, trash, letter or garbage for regularly scheduled waste disposal or transfer.

4. What about neglect and overgrowth of vegetation?

A condition where trees, vines, grass (at least 15 inches), underbrush or other vegetation has been allowed to grow in such a manner as to endanger the health, safety or welfare of occupants of property, other persons of the county or encourage the infestation of rats, insects or other harmful animals.  For additional information regarding platted lots or farms refer to the resolution for the complete description.


The above referenced information is in-part, for the complete description you can refer to Resolution No. 0801-07.

5. Who should I call with concerns about burning and pollution on properties?

Sumner County does not have regulations for burning, burying or contamination issues, to report these problems you can contact:

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
711 R.S. Gass Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37243
1-888-891-8332 or (615) 687-7000

 6. How do I start a business in Sumner County?

See the Sumner County Clerk's information for more details.

7. What businesses can operate in the rural County?

All prospective businesses in the rural areas of the county should contact the Construction & Development Department located at 355 N. Belvedere Drive, Room 202, (615) 451-1467.  Certain home based businesses operated within the residential structure may qualify as a "home occupation" business, however any business that is operated in a detached or accessory structure would not qualify as a home occupation business.  In most cases a small business owner, if current zoning allows for that type of business operation, would not need to re-zone his property.  Instead operations may need to seek a rezoning based on the size of the operation or the use.  For more information or to discuss which course of action you would need to seek, contact the Construction & Development Department at (615) 451-1467.

If you prospective business location is inside a city limit, you will need to contact the city zoning or codes department:

  • Gallatin (City Hall), 132 W. Main St., Gallatin, TN 37066, (615) 451-5893
  • Hendersonville (City Hall), 101 Maple Drive North, Hendersonville, TN 37075, (615) 264-5397
  • Portland (City Hall), 100 S. Russell St., Portland, TN 37148, (615) 325-6776
  • Westmoreland (City Hall), 1001 Park St., Westmoreland, TN 37186, (615) 644-3382
  • Millersville (City Hall), 1246 Louisville Hwy., Millersville, TN 37072, (615) 859-0880
  • Goodlettsville (City Hall), 105 Main St., Goodlettsville, TN 37072, (615) 851-2200
  • White House (City Hall), 105 College St., White House, TN 37188, (615) 672-4350