Accessory Dwelling Unit

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is essentially a second home on your property. They can be attached to or detached from the primary home. Not all properties meet the requirements for an ADU, please contact the Rutherford County Planning & Engineering Department to verify.

Documents needed to build an ADU:

• Zoning Compliance Certificate^1,2
• Copy of the RECORDED Declaration of Covenant for ADU³
• Land Disturbance Permit⁴
• Proof of adequate sewage disposal⁵
• Building Permit Application
• School Facilities Tax Application
• Erosion Prevention Form 
• Floor Plans⁶
• Plot Plan
• Other documents may be required depending on the project⁷

*Notes:

1. The zoning compliance certificate (ZCC) is provided by the Rutherford County Planning & Engineering Department.
2. If your ADU is detached, it is required to have a separate address for 911 purposes. The new address will be on your ZCC.
3. The Declaration of Covenant for ADU is provided by the Rutherford County Planning & Engineering Department. It is then recorded at the Register of Deeds. We need a copy of the RECORDED document.
4. The land disturbance permit (LDP) is provided by the Rutherford County Planning & Engineering Department.
5. In some situations, an ADU can be hooked up to the primary home's septic system, but you will need proof that the system is capable of supporting both homes. A TDEC septic permit will be REQUIRED if you are installing a new septic system. If you are on a C.U.D. STEP system or the Murfreesboro City Sewer System, you will need to verify your project with those entities before permit issuance. 
6. Floor plans should be an architectural rendering. No hand drawn floor plans.
7. Other documents may include, but not limited to: Elevation Certificates, Engineer Stamped Floor Plans, Engineer Reports, Compaction Letters, etc.