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Belle Meade City Zoning Code

14-204 Uses

    1. For all uses, please reference any specific conditions that shall apply as listed in Table 2. No building, structure, premises, or site shall be used or arranged to be used except as provided herein.
    2. Permitted residential uses: The following residential uses are permitted:
      1. Single family dwelling: A dwelling for one (1) family.
      2. Accessory uses. Accessory uses customarily incident to the above permitted uses. Accessory uses cannot be established without a permitted principle permitted use. Accessory uses are permitted by right and do not require approval by any board. All accessory structures must be in the building envelope unless otherwise noted. Such uses shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
        1. Attached Garage or porte cochere attached to the main dwelling or residence.
        2. Living quarters.
        3. Garden structures.
        4. Storage sheds.
        5. Dog houses.
        6. Children's playhouses.
        7. Landscape water feature.
        8. Hot tubs and spas.
        9. Mechanical equipment location. 
        10. Estate Sales.
      3. Temporary uses for construction activities. Subject to the following conditions, a contractor legally performing services for a resident may place on a lot on which the construction is being conducted a temporary construction trailer(s), portable toilets, other temporary construction facilities and/or a dumpster. The size, number and locations of temporary construction trailers, portable toilets, dumpsters and/or other temporary construction facilities shall only be placed at such locations as approved by the city building official deems in his/her sole discretion. The payment of the building permit fee shall entitle the resident, acting through its contractor, to maintain a temporary construction trailer, dumpsters, portable toilets, and/or other temporary construction facilities for a period of six (6) months. The extension of that permission for additional six (6) months periods is subject to the provisions of (A) above.
    3. Conditional Non-residential uses.
      1. Churches and other places of worship, and schools. See Appendix A
      2. Municipal buildings. See Appendix B
      3. Historic home or site. See Appendix C
      4. Country clubs. See Appendix D
      5. Multi-family housing. See Appendix E
      6. Communication Facilities. See Appendix F
    4. Conditional Residential uses.
      1. Greenhouses.
      2. Cabanas.
      3. Swimming pools.
      4. Pool houses.
      5. Tennis courts 
      6. Sports Court.
      7. Detached garage
      8. Home-based business activities.
      9. Pickleball court. 
    5. Prohibited uses. The following uses and structures are strictly prohibited, and the board of zoning appeals shall be without power or authority to grant a variance for any use of property within the city in conflict with the provisions of this section:
      1. Short term rental property. No dwelling, accessory building, living quarters, pool house, or other building, structure, premises, or site may be used as a short-term rental unit as herein defined. Any use of property as a short-term rental unit prior to the effective date of this ordinance may continue as permitted by state statute, Tennessee Code Annotated, §§ 13-7-601 to 606.
      2. Root cellar or storm cellar. The erection, construction, maintenance, or use of a basement or cellar as a detached structure,
      3. Billboards. The erection, maintenance or use of billboards, or other structures erected solely for advertising purposes, and likewise the posting of any signs, except street and road signs, or other signs specifically permitted in this chapter.
      4. Carports. Carports which are open and/or of metal frame, canvas, or column construction.
      5. Duplexes. The construction of a duplex, or other multi-family dwelling, containing two (2) or more dwellings on any lot.
      6. Commercial activity. Except as expressly permitted elsewhere in this chapter, the conduct of any business or commercial activity upon any lot located within the City of Belle Meade. 
      7. High front yard fences and gates. A fence, wall, or gate along the front property line or corner property line not more than three feet (3') in height.

    TABLE 2. USE SPECIAL APPROVAL, CALCULATIONS, PLACEMENT, AND CONDITIONS

    *CU - Conditional Use approval by the board of zoning appeals subject to criteria in Section 14-208(4).


    Use BZA ApprovalCalculated as Gross Floor AreaCounted as HardscapeBuilding Envelope RequiredSpecial Conditions
    Attached GarageNoYesNo YesAll dwellings constructed after September 1, 1997, shall have an attached garage or detached garage for the storage of a minimum of one (1) standard automobile. The Residence C zoning district is exempt from this standard. Garage space may be provided for three (3) motor vehicles on any lot and garage space may be provided for one (1) additional vehicle for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot area by which said lot exceeds the minimum area required for a lot in the district in which said lot lies. For purposes of establishing the number of parking spaces provided, one (1) space shall have a maximum width of ten feet (10') and a maximum depth of twenty feet (20'). Garages shall have their doors facing to the side or rear of the property. For corner lots, the garage may face the street that does not have the main front door facing it. Attached garages shall count toward footprint calculations.
    CabanaYes - CUNoYesYesNone
    Child PlayhouseNoNoYesNoNot to exceed one hundred (100) square feet in floor space, less than eight feet (8') in height and diminutive in scale and design, and similar children's recreational facilities; provided they are to the rear of the dwelling and are at least ten feet (10') from the rear and side lot lines.
    Detached GarageNoYesNoYesAll dwellings constructed after September 1, 1997, shall have an attached garage or detached garage for the storage of a minimum of one (1) standard automobile. The Residence C zoning district is exempt from this standard. Garage space may be provided for three (3) motor vehicles on any lot and garage space may be provided for one (1) additional vehicle for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot area by which said lot exceeds the minimum area required for a lot in the district in which said lot lies. For purposes of establishing the number of parking spaces provided, one (1) space shall have a maximum width of ten feet (10') and a maximum depth of twenty feet (20'). Garages shall have their doors facing to the side or rear of the property. For corner lots, the garage may face the street that does not have the main front door facing it. A detached garage may connect to a residence by a covered but unenclosed breezeway. A breezeway can be no wider than the average width of a pedestrian pathway, The area of the breezeway (under roof) shall count toward the gross floor area calculations. Detached garages shall count toward footprint calculations.
    DoghouseNoNoYesNoNot to exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in area covered, provided they are to the rear of the dwelling and are at least twenty feet (20') from the rear and side lot lines. The maximum height shall be 8’.
    Driveway and Parking AreaNoNoNoNoSee Section 14-205(1)(j)
    Estate SalesNoNoNoNoSuch sale may not extend over a period of more than two (2) days, and no more than one (1) such sale may be conducted from the same location in any one (1) calendar year. No person shall engage in this activity without first obtaining from the city manager an estate sale permit. The application for permit must be made in person by the resident/owner of the property. The city manager shall have the authority to review all applications for permits and issue permits at his/her discretion after considering all the implications of traffic, congestion, noise, etc. A sale advertising sign may be posted of less than eight (8) square feet only on the subject property during the time period permitted for the holding of such sale.
    Garden StructureNoNoYesNoNot to exceed two hundred fifty (250) square feet of area covered, provided they are to the rear of the dwelling and are at least ten feet (10') from the rear and side lot lines.
    GreenhouseYes - CUNoYesYesNone.
    Home-based BusinessYes - CUNoYesYesPersons engaged in this use shall have not more than one (1) on-premises employee assisting in those activities. The board of zoning appeals shall have the authority to review all applications for permits and issue permits at their discretion after considering all the implications of traffic, congestion, noise, etc. No use shall be carried on at any time in such manner as to require on-street parking, or special parking arrangements at premises other than the premises of the seller of goods or provider of services.
    Landscape Water FeatureNo*NoYesYesHaving a depth of more than eighteen inches (18") shall be in the building envelope. *If placed outside of the building envelope and over 18” in depth, a Conditional Use approval by the board of zoning appeals is required prior to construction. Landscape water features 18” or less in depth may be placed outside of the building envelope. A landscape water feature cannot be attached to a swimming pool and be placed outside of the building envelope.
    Living QuartersNoYesNoYesProvided as an integral part of the principal residence or in an accessory building.
    Mechanical EquipmentNoNoYesYesAll compressors, generators, or other equipment necessary to the operation of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment and/or other mechanical systems included in a building or structure shall be located at or below ground level within the building envelope in which such building or structure is also located.
    Patio/DeckNoNoYesNoNone.
    Pickleball CourtYes - CUNoYesYesMaximum area of 30' x 50'. Pickleball court may not be illuminated after 9:00 P.M. Minimum 500' setback from all property lines.
    Pool HouseYes - CUYesNoYesIncluded in footprint calculation.
    Porte CochereNoYesNoYesNone.
    SidewalksNoNoYesNoNone.
    Single Family DwellingNoYesNoYesNone.
    Solar PanelsNoNoNoNoSolar panels may be installed upon the roof of any building as long as it is not visible from any street.
    Sports CourtYes - CUNoYesYesMaximum area of 30’ x 60’. Sport courts may not be illuminated after 9:00 P.M.
    Storage ShedYes - CUNoYesYesNone.
    Swimming PoolYes - CUNoYesYesEnclosed by a fence or wall not less than six feet (6') in height above the exterior adjoining grade.
    Tennis CourtYes - CUNoYesYesThe illumination of tennis courts, within the primary playing area, shall be as defined by the current United States Tennis Association publication for residential installations. The number, location, height, mounting, type, construction, and design of tennis court lights, and of the poles and fixtures shall be as determined by the Board of zoning appeals. Tennis courts may not be illuminated after 9:00 P.M.
    HISTORY
    Repealed & Replaced by Ord. 2024-14 on 9/18/2024

    2024-14