Who must register a vacant property?

Owners of buildings that are unoccupied and meet the Metro Code definition of vacant or abandoned must register the property with Metro Codes. Registration requirements and the definition are in the Code of Ordinances and on the Codes Department page.

What are the fees and how often must I renew?

Fee amounts and renewal intervals are set by ordinance or department rule; specific fee figures are not specified on the cited Code page and should be confirmed with Metro Codes.

How do I appeal a fine or abatement order?

Appeal procedures are provided in the Metro Code and typically require filing within the time period stated in the notice; exact appeal deadlines are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the Codes Department.

Nashville Vacant Property Registration & Fees

Housing and Building Standards Tennessee 3 Minutes Read · published February 07, 2026

Nashville, Tennessee property owners must understand local rules for vacant and abandoned properties to avoid enforcement and fines. This guide summarizes how Metro Nashville addresses vacant property registration, which department enforces the rules, common violations, and practical steps to register, pay fees, appeal orders, or report hazardous vacant structures. It draws on the Metro Code and the Codes Department guidance; where exact fee figures are not published on the cited pages we note that explicitly and point you to the enforcing office for the latest amounts and forms.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of vacant property requirements in Nashville is handled by the Metro Codes Department (Code Enforcement and Building Inspection divisions). Registration and enforcement procedures are described in the Metro Code and by the Codes Department; see the Code of Ordinances for the controlling provisions and the department pages for compliance steps.^[1] Enforcement actions may include fines, abatement orders, liens, and court actions; specific fine amounts and daily/continuing rates are not specified on the cited page.^[1]

Fines: amount and daily rates - not specified on the cited page; contact Codes for current schedules.
Escalation: initial notice, subsequent civil penalties, and possible court enforcement; specific escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary sanctions: compliance or abatement orders, boarding/securement, seizure for public safety, and liens to recover abatement costs.
Enforcer and complaints: Metro Codes Department accepts complaints and inspects properties; see Codes contact and complaint procedures.^[2]
Appeals: administrative review or appeal to the designated hearing body as provided in the Metro Code; specific appeal time limits or deadlines are not specified on the cited page.

Failure to register or remediate may lead to abatements and liens.

Applications & Forms

Registration and remedial action typically require completing the vacancy registration or related property maintenance forms published by Metro Codes. Where a named form or application number is published it will appear on the Codes Department page; if no official form is listed, contact Codes for the required submission method.^[2]

How registration works

Owners must declare a property as vacant where the building is not lawfully occupied and is unsecured, deteriorated, or otherwise poses safety risk. The registration process generally requires owner contact information, property address, and a plan for securing or rehabilitating the structure. Fees and the frequency of required renewals are established by Metro ordinance or department rule and may change; consult Codes for the current fee schedule.^[2]

Common Violations

Failure to register a vacant building when required.
Failure to secure, board, or maintain a vacant structure against trespass and hazards.
Permitting or maintenance violations discovered during inspections of vacant sites.

Common enforcement starts with notice and opportunity to comply before abatement.

Action Steps for Owners

Confirm whether your property meets the definition of "vacant" under the Metro Code.
Contact Metro Codes to request the registration form or file the registration online.
Pay any registration or inspection fees as directed by Codes; if fee amounts are not on the code page, request the current schedule from the department.
Submit a remediation or maintenance plan and comply with inspection timelines to avoid escalated penalties.

FAQ

Who must register a vacant property?: Owners of buildings that are unoccupied and meet the Metro Code definition of vacant or abandoned must register the property with Metro Codes. Registration requirements and the definition are in the Code of Ordinances and on the Codes Department page.^[1]
What are the fees and how often must I renew?: Fee amounts and renewal intervals are set by ordinance or department rule; specific fee figures are not specified on the cited Code page and should be confirmed with Metro Codes.^[1]
How do I appeal a fine or abatement order?: Appeal procedures are provided in the Metro Code and typically require filing within the time period stated in the notice; exact appeal deadlines are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the Codes Department.^[2]

How-To

Confirm vacancy status: review the Metro Code definition and determine if the property meets it.
Obtain and complete the vacancy registration form from Metro Codes or follow the department's online instructions.
Submit the form, pay applicable fees, and provide contact and remediation plan details.
Comply with inspections and deadlines; if you disagree with an order, file an appeal per the Metro Code procedure.

Key Takeaways

Register vacant properties promptly to avoid abatement and liens.
Contact Metro Codes early for forms, fees and timelines.
Appeal procedures exist but check the notice for the required deadlines.