How to check a Nashville home's permit history and code violations

Before you fall in love with a Nashville house, spend ten minutes looking up its permit history and code record. It's free, it's public, and almost nobody does it.

Nashville has been one long renovation project for the last decade. Flips, finished basements, added bathrooms, converted garages, new decks. Most of that work was done right. Some of it wasn't permitted at all, and the listing photos won't tell you which is which.

I'm Grant Beauchamp, a Realtor with The Wilson Group. A lot of my work is with investors buying flips and rentals, so I spend a lot of time digging through Metro's permit and code records. I use them so much that I built a free tool around them, Nashville Investor Intel, which tracks code violations and permits across the city.

This guide walks you through the same free Metro tools I use, what to compare against the listing, and what to do if something doesn't line up. One thing up front: this is a research guide, not legal or construction advice. The records are a starting point for good questions, not a final answer.

How to look up building permits on a Nashville address

Metro Codes puts its permit records online through a few free tools. You don't need an account for any of them.

1. Start with ePermits (epermits.nashville.gov). Search the property address. You'll see building, trade (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) and short-term rental permits tied to the address, plus whether inspections were signed off. Open "Available Reports" in the Permit Summary for inspection reports.
2. Pull the actual documents in the Document of Record Search Portal. Search by address, permit number, or map and parcel number to see permit documents and building plans.
3. Check the Metro Parcel Viewer for zoning, ownership history and permit history on one screen. It's handy for spotting a flip: a recent sale, then a burst of permits, then a listing.
4. Look for pending permits on Metro's pending permits map. These are applications that haven't been issued yet.

What you're looking for is a permit that matches each major project in the listing, with inspections marked as passed or finaled. A permit that was opened but never finaled is worth asking about.

How to check for code violations on a Nashville property

Property standards violations are things like overgrown lots, junk vehicles, unsafe structures, or work done without a permit. Metro tracks complaints and cases by address.

1. ePermits again. The same address search shows property standards violation cases and their status updates.
2. The NashView violation map. Pick property violations from the menu at the bottom left to see cases on a map. It's great for seeing what's happening on the whole street, not just one house.
3. The violation case details dashboard. It's updated daily, and you can filter by location, violation type and case status.

A closed case usually means the issue was resolved. An open case may still be active, and you'll want to know what it would take to close it. A complaint is not the same thing as a confirmed violation. Neighbors file complaints for all kinds of reasons, so read the case status before drawing conclusions.

What to compare against the listing

None of these automatically mean something is wrong. They're just the spots where listings and records most often disagree.

What to do if something doesn't match

Finding a gap isn't a reason to panic or walk away. It's a reason to ask questions, and the right people to ask are the ones licensed to answer.

1. Ask the seller, through your agent. There may be a simple explanation: work done before records went online, a permit under an old address, or paperwork the seller has at home. Tennessee's residential property disclosure form asks sellers about things like unpermitted additions, so read the disclosure closely too.
2. Tell your home inspector. Point them to the specific space or system. An inspector can tell you whether work looks sound, though inspectors don't certify permit or code compliance.
3. Call Metro Codes. Codes and Building Safety (615-862-6500) can explain what a record means and what it would take to permit work after the fact.
4. Talk to a real estate attorney if the answer could affect your decision, your price or your loan. They're the right person for questions about your rights, the contract, or what a seller was required to disclose.
5. Use your contract's timelines. Make sure your questions are answered within your inspection or due diligence period. Your agent can help you track those dates.

I won't tell you whether a specific house is "safe" or "legal." That's not my call to make, and anyone who answers that from a website is guessing. What I can do is point you to the records and help you get the right questions to the right people before your deadlines.

A note for sellers

If you're thinking about selling, run this same search on your own address before you list. Buyers and their agents increasingly do, and it's much easier to deal with an old open permit or a forgotten complaint on your own schedule than in the middle of a deal.

If something turns up, don't stress. Lots of Nashville homes have a loose end or two. Metro Codes can tell you how to close out an old permit, and a real estate attorney can advise you on what to disclose. Getting ahead of it usually means a smoother sale. When you're ready, here's how I help sellers.

A note for investors

Permit and violation records are some of the best free deal-hunting data in Davidson County. Open violations, stalled permits and long-vacant properties can point to owners who'd consider selling. They're also a reality check on any flip you're thinking about buying: a recent rehab with no permits on file is a risk you'll want priced in.

That's why I built Nashville Investor Intel. It pulls these Metro records into one free feed so you don't have to check three maps.