Nashville Sewer Connection Permits - Steps & Fees

Utilities and Infrastructure Tennessee 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 07, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee contractors must follow Metro requirements to obtain a sewer connection (tap) permit before connecting private lines to the public sanitary system. This guide summarizes the typical steps, required approvals, inspection expectations, and enforcement pathways contractors should expect when working in Metro Nashville.

Always confirm permit requirements with Metro Water Services before mobilizing on site.

Overview

Sewer connection permits are administered by Metro departments responsible for water distribution and codes enforcement. Applications, technical requirements and inspection scheduling are coordinated between Metro Water Services and Codes Administration, and may require contractor licensing and plan review before a tap is authorized. For official department guidance and contacts see the Metro Water Services and Codes Administration pages Metro Water Services[1] and Codes Administration[2].

Typical Steps for Contractors

  1. Obtain contractor licensing and business registration as required by Metro.
  2. Submit a sewer connection permit application with plans and site details to Metro Water Services or Codes Administration, as instructed.
  3. Pay any applicable plan-review, permit or tap fees (see official fee schedules).
  4. Schedule and pass required inspections (pre-tap, tap, and post-connection restoration).
  5. Receive written authorization to tap the main and complete the connection per approved plans.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for unauthorized sewer connections or violations of tap conditions is handled by Metro Codes Administration and Metro Water Services. Specific monetary fines, daily penalties, or escalations are not consistently published on a single page and may depend on the cited code section or administrative order; where an exact penalty amount is required it is not specified on the cited page(s). See the Metro department links for reporting and enforcement contacts Metro Water Services[1] and Codes Administration[2].

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, restoration orders, permit revocation or court action may be used.
  • Enforcer: Metro Codes Administration and Metro Water Services perform inspections and issue enforcement notices.
  • Inspections/complaints: use the department contact pages to file complaints or request inspections.
  • Appeals/review: procedures and time limits for appeals are set by the enforcing department or applicable code; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
Unauthorized tapping of the public sewer may lead to stop-work orders and required remediation.

Applications & Forms

The official forms and fee schedules for sewer taps and connections are maintained by Metro Water Services and Codes Administration; specific application form names or numbers are not specified on the cited pages. Contractors should consult the department pages or contact the departments directly to obtain the current permit application, plan submittal checklist, and fee list Metro Water Services[1].

How-To

  1. Confirm contractor licensing and business registration with Metro.
  2. Download or request the sewer connection permit application and submit plans to the issuing department.
  3. Pay required fees and schedule pre-tap inspection.
  4. Perform the tap only after approval and inspection; complete post-connection restoration per permit.
  5. Keep records of approvals, inspections and payments for compliance and potential appeals.
Keep copies of inspection reports and the permit on site until final acceptance.

FAQ

Who issues sewer connection permits in Nashville?
Metro Water Services issues sewer permits in coordination with Codes Administration; contact the departments for the correct permit routing.
Are there standard fees for taps?
Fee schedules exist but specific tap fee amounts are not specified on the cited department pages; check the official fee list or contact the department.
What happens if a contractor taps without a permit?
Unauthorized taps can lead to stop-work orders, remediation requirements and possible enforcement actions by Metro; exact fines are not specified on the cited pages.

Key Takeaways

  • Obtain permits and approvals before any sewer connection work.
  • Schedule and pass required inspections to avoid enforcement actions.
  • Maintain permit and inspection records on site until final acceptance.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Metro Water Services - Department page
  2. [2] Codes Administration - Permits & Inspections

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