Nashville Sewer Connection Process - City Rules

Environmental Protection Tennessee 3 Minutes Read · published February 07, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

Connecting to municipal sewer services in Nashville, Tennessee requires following Metro Water Services rules, submitting the proper permits, and scheduling inspections. This guide explains which department enforces connections, what forms and approvals are usually required, typical timelines, and how to report problems. Read the steps, required documentation, and appeals process so you can apply, pay, schedule inspections, and complete a lawful sewer tap or service transfer.

Who enforces sewer connections

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County enforces sewer connections through Metro Water Services (Water Services). For technical standards and legal requirements, Metro Water Services implements the Metro Code and departmental regulations. For department guidance and permit filing, consult the official Metro Water Services webpages[1].

Always start by contacting Metro Water Services to confirm site-specific requirements.

Required steps to connect

Typical steps to connect a property to the public sewer in Nashville include: site assessment, permit application, payment of tap and inspection fees, installation by a licensed contractor, and final inspection and acceptance by Metro Water Services.

  • Prepare site plans and owner/contractor information.
  • Apply for a sewer tap or new service permit with Metro Water Services[3].
  • Pay applicable tap, inspection, and impact fees (see permit page for amounts).
  • Arrange installation by a licensed plumber or contractor per Metro standards.
  • Schedule inspections and obtain final acceptance from Metro Water Services.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement authority: Metro Water Services enforces compliance with sewer connection rules and the Metro Code; violations may be subject to fines, correction orders, and legal action. Specific citation authority and enforcement procedures are set out in Metro ordinances and departmental rules[2]. If the cited pages do not list amounts, the amounts are not specified on the cited page.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the Metro Code and enforcement notices for exact amounts.
  • Escalation: first offence, repeat, and continuing offence treatments are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: correction orders, required remedial work, disconnection or stop-work orders, and referral to civil court actions are possible.
  • Enforcer contact and inspections: Metro Water Services handles inspections, compliance notices, and intake of complaints; use the department contact and permit pages for reporting and to request inspections[1].
  • Appeals: procedures for administrative review or appeal are governed by Metro rules or code provisions; the cited Metro pages do not specify time limits for appeals and therefore such time limits are not specified on the cited page.
If you receive a notice, respond quickly and document communications with Metro Water Services.

Applications & Forms

Permits and forms: Metro Water Services publishes application forms and permit instructions for new sewer taps and service changes. Fee amounts, submittal instructions, and required attachments are listed on the Metro Water Services permit page; if a specific form number or fee is not shown, it is not specified on the cited page[3].

  • Typical form: sewer tap/new service application (name and number: not specified on the cited page).
  • Fees: tap and inspection fees — amounts not specified on the cited page; payable per instructions on the permit page.
  • Submission: online or in-person per Metro Water Services instructions; confirm required documents before filing.

Common violations

  • Unauthorized connections to the public sewer.
  • Noncompliant installation that fails inspection.
  • Failure to obtain required permits before work begins.
Licensed contractors must follow Metro specifications for materials and grades.

How-To

  1. Contact Metro Water Services to request site guidance and confirm sewer availability.
  2. Prepare and submit the sewer tap/new service application and site plans per the permit instructions[3].
  3. Pay required fees and obtain permit approval.
  4. Hire a licensed contractor to perform the connection work to Metro standards.
  5. Schedule inspections and obtain final acceptance from Metro Water Services.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to connect to the public sewer in Nashville?
Yes. A sewer tap or new service permit from Metro Water Services is required before making a connection; check the permit page for application steps[3].
Who can perform the sewer connection work?
Work must be performed by appropriately licensed contractors and must meet Metro Water Services technical standards.
How do I report an illegal or emergency discharge?
Report spills, illegal discharges, or emergencies to Metro Water Services using the department contact resources on the official site[1].

Key Takeaways

  • Start with Metro Water Services to confirm requirements and availability.
  • Permits and fees are required; exact amounts may be on the permit page.
  • Inspections and final acceptance by Metro Water Services complete the process.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Metro Water Services - New Water or Sewer Service
  2. [2] Metropolitan Code of Laws - Metro Nashville
  3. [3] Metro Water Services - Permits & Applications

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