Home projects in Sylvan Park, The Nations and West Nashville

West of I-440 and north toward the Cumberland River, Sylvan Park, The Nations, Charlotte Park and the streets off Charlotte Pike have changed faster than almost anywhere in Nashville. Small mid-century and pre-war cottages still line many blocks, but lots have been split, cottages have been replaced by pairs of tall new homes, and remodels have pushed up and back. If you own here, you're either renovating a small older house, living in recent infill, or weighing whether to build.

Three things to check before you design

1. Your zoning and whether two homes are allowed. Some lots here are zoned for two units, and that's why so many "tall-and-skinny" pairs went up. Metro's addition guidance notes that properties with two detached single-family dwellings on one lot must meet specific height limits in the zoning tables. Within the Urban Zoning Overlay, height tops out at 45 feet within three stories.
2. Overlays. The Cherokee Park and Richland-West End neighborhood conservation overlays are close by, toward Belle Meade and West End. In those overlays, additions, new houses and demolitions need a Metro Historic Zoning Commission permit. Most of Sylvan Park and The Nations has no historic overlay, but some parcels have planned-unit or specific-plan zoning with their own rules.
3. Flood maps. Richland Creek winds through the area on its way to the Cumberland, so some low-lying parcels near the creek and the river fall in mapped flood zones. Check FEMA's map and Metro's floodplain layer for your lot before you buy or build.

Building near Richland Creek or the river

Metro's stormwater rules are stricter than FEMA's minimums. Any residential structure built in the floodplain must have its lowest finished floor four feet above the 1-percent-annual-chance flood elevation, and fill has to be balanced with an equal volume of cut. Development in the floodway itself is prohibited, with few exceptions. Grading permits from Metro Water Services are required for land disturbance over 10,000 square feet. Owners and builders must also sign Metro's form acknowledging the floodplain requirements.

In practice, a small rear addition on a lot outside the flood zone is a routine Codes permit. The same addition on a lot that's partly in the floodplain may need a survey, elevation drawings and Water Services review. Budget time and money for that.

Renovating a West Nashville cottage

Many original houses here are modest one-story frame or brick cottages on crawl spaces, built before or just after World War II. Common projects:

• Opening up the plan. Removing walls between small rooms is the usual kitchen project. Metro requires a permit for altering load-bearing framing or moving partitions. See kitchen remodeling.
• Adding a bath. One-bath houses are common, so a second bathroom, carved from a bedroom or added on, is a frequent request. See bathroom remodeling.
• Finishing an attic or basement. Converting unfinished space into living space needs a permit, and attics in small cottages often need structural upgrades and a code-compliant stair. See home additions.
• Crawl-space moisture. Sylvan Park's older homes share the city-wide problem of damp crawl spaces. Fix drainage and moisture before installing new floors. See basements and crawl spaces.
• Siding and roofing. Both need Metro building permits. See siding and roofing.

Living in newer infill

If you own one of the newer homes, your projects are different: finishing a bonus room, adding a rear deck, adding shade or screening, or fixing drainage between closely spaced houses. Many of these homes have little side yard, so check easements and setbacks before adding anything outside. Deck replacements and new decks need a Metro permit, and covered decks must meet the full side and rear setbacks. See decks and porches.

Some infill homes are in horizontal property regimes or have shared-wall or shared-drive agreements. Read those documents before changing exterior materials or adding a fence.

DADUs

Only one DADU is allowed per parcel, and only when there's one single-family principal home. A lot that already has two homes, which is common here, can't add one. Where a DADU is possible, the same owner must own both units and live in one of them. See our DADU guide.

HVAC in small and tall houses

Small cottages often have undersized or poorly placed ducts. Tall infill homes tend to have trouble keeping the top floor cool. Zoning, a second system or a ductless head for the top floor can help. TVA EnergyRight, offered through NES, lists rebates for qualifying heat pumps and mini splits. See HVAC.

Hiring

Contractors pulling Metro permits must be licensed and bonded with Metro Codes. In Davidson County, a state Home Improvement license is required for remodeling jobs of $3,000 to $24,999, and a state contractor's license at $25,000 and up. Check licenses on the state's Verify search. For flood-zone work, ask whether the contractor has worked through Metro Water Services review before.