Sumner County's largest city and Tennessee's 10th most populous — situated on the shores of Old Hickory Lake just 18 miles northeast of Nashville — with newly adopted city-level impact fees effective April 2026 and Sumner County's Adequate Facilities Tax stacking on every new residential permit.
Hendersonville is Sumner County's largest city and Tennessee's 10th most populous municipality, situated on the shores of Old Hickory Lake approximately 18 miles northeast of downtown Nashville. With a 2025 population estimated at 64,140 and projections pointing toward 70,000 by 2030, the city has absorbed decades of Nashville suburban expansion while maintaining the lakeside residential character that defines its identity. Strong schools, a highly rated quality of life, and relative affordability compared to Williamson County have made Hendersonville a consistent draw for families relocating to the Nashville MSA, with median home prices reaching $595,000 as of early 2026.
Hendersonville's new construction market is driven primarily by infill development, subdivision buildout, and annexation-area residential projects on the city's eastern and northern edges. With over 26,000 housing units already in place, the city's growth is maturing — but annual permit activity remains meaningful as builders continue targeting Sumner County's school system and lakefront proximity. Mayor Jamie Clary has described infrastructure funding as the central challenge of the city's growth era, noting that residential development has consistently outpaced the revenue it generates through property taxes alone.
On the fee side, Hendersonville adopted its first-ever city-level impact fees in February 2026, effective April 1, 2026 — the culmination of nearly a decade of efforts by Mayor Clary. The fee of $6,000 per single-family unit is split between Parks ($2,000) and Roads ($4,000) and was adopted in an 8-5 board vote. A building permit fee based on ICC valuation ($130/SF × 0.47%) also applies — approximately $1,528 on a 2,500 SF home. Sumner County's Adequate Facilities Tax (AFT) of $0.70 per square foot of residential floor area stacks on every permit, directed toward school construction. On a 2,500 sq ft home, the combined city and county fee total reaches approximately $9,278.
This is an estimate only. Fees often change on an annual basis. Contact each municipality to confirm before finalizing your estimates. See an error? Report it here
Every Hendersonville building permit triggers Sumner County's Adequate Facilities Tax (AFT) at $0.70 per square foot of residential floor area, directed toward school construction. On a 2,500 SF home the AFT totals $1,750. The AFT is collected by Sumner County at the time of building permit issuance and applies county-wide to all new residential development, including within incorporated municipalities like Hendersonville.
Local reporting and public records covering Hendersonville's development landscape, impact fee adoption, and growth policy debates.
Hendersonville's Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a $6,000 per single-family unit impact fee in an 8-5 vote, effective April 1, 2026 — ending nearly a decade of unsuccessful attempts by Mayor Jamie Clary. The fee is split between parks ($2,000) and roads ($4,000) and will be deposited into a dedicated fund. Alderman Jeff Sasse, who amended the proposal to lock in a flat fee and accelerate the effective date, called it overdue. A local luxury homebuilder said the fee wouldn't significantly affect their clientele but acknowledged it could price out first-time buyers in a market where the average home already exceeds $539,000.
Read Full ArticleAhead of a January 13 vote, Hendersonville leaders debated two competing impact fee proposals — one covering only residential development, another extending to commercial. Mayor Clary proposed $5,000 per single-family unit and $3,500 for multi-family, with rates increasing over time. Alderman Michael Martin backed broader coverage, noting that retail development also strains roads. The president of Sumner Realtors opposed both proposals, arguing that adding fees to a market where the average home already sold for $539,000 would further hurt affordability. The board ultimately passed a revised $6,000 flat fee in February.
Read Full ArticleFollowing a consultant study completed in February 2025, Hendersonville's Board of Mayor and Aldermen held a special workshop to evaluate the city's infrastructure funding gap. Mayor Clary argued that residential development consistently costs more in services than it generates in property tax revenue, making impact fees necessary to avoid broader tax increases. At the time, Sumner County's AFT of $0.70/SF for residential was the only development-related fee applying within city limits. The workshop set the stage for the formal proposals that would follow in early 2026 and the eventual 8-5 vote to adopt the fee.
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