Every Tennessee municipality handles shipping container permits differently. This guide breaks down what you need to know before placing a container on your property, city by city.
Tennessee has no statewide permit requirement for shipping containers. That means every city, county, and municipality sets its own rules. What works in rural Fayette County might get you a code violation in Nashville. What is perfectly legal in unincorporated Bledsoe County could require a full building permit in Chattanooga.
The consequences of skipping the permit step are real. Code enforcement officers can require you to remove the container at your expense. You could face daily fines. And if you are converting a container into a livable structure without proper permits, you are looking at much bigger problems down the road when you try to sell or insure the property.
The good news: Tennessee is generally more permissive than coastal states when it comes to shipping containers. Many jurisdictions allow temporary placement without a permit. Permanent placement usually requires one, but the process is straightforward if you know who to call. Rural Tennessee is especially relaxed -- many counties have minimal requirements. This guide covers the major cities and regions so you can get it right the first time.
For general container questions, see our Tennessee container FAQ.
Nashville and Davidson County operate as a consolidated metropolitan government, so there is one set of rules for the entire jurisdiction. The Metro Codes Department handles shipping container regulations through its zoning code and building permit process.
Temporary placement: Nashville generally allows temporary storage containers on residential properties for limited periods, typically tied to active construction or renovation. If you are doing a home remodel and need a container in your driveway for 30 to 60 days, you are usually fine without a permit. The key word is "temporary." The container should be tied to a specific, time-limited activity.
Permanent placement: If you want to keep a container on your property as a permanent accessory structure, Nashville requires a zoning permit. The container must meet setback requirements, lot coverage limits, and zoning district rules. In residential zones, containers used as permanent storage typically need to be placed behind the front building line and may need screening from neighboring properties.
Commercial properties: Commercial and industrial zones in Nashville are more container-friendly. Nashville is experiencing a massive construction boom -- new developments in the Gulch, East Nashville, and surrounding suburbs keep demand for job-site containers high. Containers used for on-site storage in commercial districts are common, but you still need to confirm compliance with your specific zoning district.
Who to contact: Metro Codes Department, (615) 862-6590. They can tell you exactly what your zoning district allows and what permits you need.
We deliver containers throughout Nashville and the Nashville metro area and can advise on what questions to ask before you order.
Memphis has its own zoning and building codes that apply within city limits. Shelby County has separate rules for unincorporated areas outside the city. Memphis is a major logistics hub -- home to FedEx headquarters and a major port on the Mississippi River -- so the city is accustomed to containers in commercial and industrial settings.
Within city limits: Memphis generally requires a permit for shipping containers used as permanent storage on residential property. Temporary containers for construction or moving purposes may be allowed for a limited window without a permit, but it depends on your zoning district. The Office of Construction Code Enforcement handles these inquiries.
Shelby County (unincorporated): Properties outside Memphis city limits but within Shelby County tend to have more relaxed container rules. Larger lots in the county, especially those used for agricultural or rural residential purposes, often accommodate containers without significant permitting hurdles. Always confirm with the county before assuming.
Who to contact: Memphis Office of Construction Code Enforcement, (901) 636-6500. For unincorporated Shelby County, contact Shelby County Code Enforcement.
See our Memphis container delivery page for more details on getting a container delivered to the Memphis area.
Knoxville handles container permits through its Plans Review and Inspections department. The city sits at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and has a growing tech scene alongside the University of Tennessee campus. Container use is increasingly common for both residential and commercial purposes.
Within city limits: Knoxville requires a permit for permanent container placement in most residential zones. Temporary construction containers are typically allowed for the duration of an active building permit. The city has been generally reasonable in its approach to container regulation, but you should check before placing one.
Knox County (unincorporated): Rural properties in unincorporated Knox County have more flexibility. Larger lots used for residential or agricultural purposes can generally accommodate containers with less red tape. The county planning department can look up your specific parcel and tell you what applies.
Who to contact: Knoxville Plans Review and Inspections, (865) 215-2111. Knox County Codes Administration.
We deliver throughout Knoxville and Knox County.
Chattanooga regulates containers through its Building Inspections department. The city has seen significant revitalization in recent years, particularly in the downtown and Southside areas, and takes zoning compliance seriously in its growing neighborhoods.
Within city limits: Shipping containers used as permanent structures in residential neighborhoods generally require a permit. The city classifies them as accessory structures and applies setback and lot coverage rules accordingly. Temporary containers tied to construction activity are more straightforward.
Hamilton County (unincorporated): Properties outside Chattanooga in unincorporated Hamilton County, particularly larger rural parcels, are generally more flexible. Containers used for agricultural storage on working land are common and typically allowed. Always verify with the county, but the permitting bar is lower on rural acreage.
Who to contact: Chattanooga Building Inspections, (423) 643-5500. Hamilton County Building Inspections.
Clarksville is Tennessee's fifth-largest city and sits right next to Fort Campbell, one of the largest military installations in the country. The military presence drives a constant flow of families moving in and out, along with steady construction and commercial activity. Clarksville's Codes Administration handles container permits.
Within city limits: Clarksville regulates containers as accessory structures. Temporary placement for construction or moving is generally permitted for a defined period. Permanent containers on residential property require a permit and compliance with setback rules. The city is accustomed to military families needing temporary storage during PCS moves, which works in your favor for short-term placement.
Montgomery County (unincorporated): Rural properties in Montgomery County outside Clarksville city limits have more relaxed requirements. Agricultural and large-lot residential parcels can typically accommodate containers without significant hurdles.
Who to contact: Clarksville Codes Administration, (931) 648-6104. Montgomery County Building and Codes.
This is where container placement gets easy. Most of rural Tennessee is very accommodating for shipping containers. Unincorporated areas across all three grand divisions of the state -- West, Middle, and East Tennessee -- generally have minimal or no permit requirements for storage containers on private property.
Counties known for relaxed container rules include:
On large agricultural parcels and farms, containers are treated essentially the same as any other storage building. Nobody is going to hassle you about a container on 50 acres of farmland in McNairy County. That said, a quick call to your county planning office takes five minutes and eliminates any doubt.
Here is something many people overlook: your HOA can restrict containers even when your city or county allows them. In the Nashville metro especially, HOAs are everywhere. Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Mount Juliet, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro, and many other suburbs have neighborhoods governed by homeowners associations with their own CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions).
Common HOA restrictions include:
Violating HOA rules can result in fines, forced removal, and a lot of headaches with your neighbors. Check your CC&Rs before ordering. If you are not sure, call your HOA management company and ask directly. It takes five minutes and saves you a major hassle.
Almost every Tennessee jurisdiction draws a line between temporary and permanent container placement. Understanding this distinction is critical.
Temporary placement usually means the container is on-site for a limited period tied to a specific activity. Common examples: storing belongings during a home renovation, holding equipment during a construction project, or staging items during a move. Most cities allow 30 to 90 days without a permit for temporary use. Some require you to have an active building permit for the associated project.
Permanent placement means the container stays on the property indefinitely as a storage structure. This almost always requires a permit in incorporated cities. You will typically need to meet setback requirements (distance from property lines), lot coverage limits, and sometimes height or screening requirements. In residential zones, the container may need to be behind the front building line and possibly screened by fencing or landscaping.
The practical difference: if your container is for a short-term project, you are usually fine. If you are planning to keep it long-term, call your local planning department first.
Container homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a completely different category from storage containers. If you are converting a shipping container into a livable space with plumbing, electrical, and insulation, you are building a structure. That means full building permits, inspections, and compliance with the International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted by Tennessee.
What you will need for a container home in Tennessee:
Nashville has been relatively open to ADU development as the city addresses housing demand from its rapid growth. Container-based ADUs are possible in Nashville, but you will need to go through the full permitting process. The growing tiny home and alternative housing movement in the Nashville area has made some jurisdictions more familiar with container builds.
If you are exploring a container home or office conversion, check out our modified containers page for information on containers with doors, windows, insulation, electrical, and HVAC already installed.
Before you order a container, make one phone call. Call your local city or county planning and zoning department. Have your property address ready and ask these questions:
This call takes about ten minutes. It can save you hundreds or thousands in fines and removal costs. Every building department we have dealt with in Tennessee has been helpful and straightforward when you call with a clear question.
If you are unsure where to start, give us a call at (330) 510-5817. We have delivered containers all over Tennessee and can point you to the right department for your area.
We deliver 20ft, 40ft, high cube, modified, and refrigerated containers across the state. Price always includes delivery. Call or text David directly, or fill out the quote form.