Can I legally rent my Basement Apartment? - Nashville, TN

[Adam Roth]

I'm having trouble finding solid answers about this and would really appreciate y'alls advice here. I just bought a house with a freshly renovated basement apartment complete with a kitchen, etc. My zoning is RS-10 which only allows for a single family, no ADU. I spoke with Codes and they said I can't rent it out as an apartment, if i get caught they'll make me remove the kitchen. So my question is, can I have a roommate live in my basement apartment? Also, should i attempt to re-zone to multifamily? Thanks for your help!

[David Goodman]

@Adam Roth

Also not illegal to have an Airbnb if your owner occupied.

If you call codes and ask them if you can rent your basement as “an apartment,” the yes they are going to say no bueno.

If you ever move out and rent the house out, it’s also not illegal for your tenant to have a roommate that has their own private entrance. Just saying.