Welcome to the City of Germantown’s resource center for single-family residential improvements. Thoughtful upgrades not only add value to your home, but also enhance the overall appearance and character of our neighborhoods.

Whether you're planning a home addition, installing a fence, building a detached structure or adding a swimming pool, understanding local regulations is essential to ensure your project runs smoothly and complies with City requirements.

Your Guide to Home Improvement in Germantown:

This page provides convenient access to information on permits, zoning regulations and other important guidelines for common home improvement projects. Before you get started, we encourage you to review the resources below to help ensure your project aligns with City standards and benefits the community.

Easements and Right of Way

Easement
An easement is a portion of your property that provides permanent access to the City or another utility provider. Easements vary in width and may support utilities, drainage or sewer infrastructure. Permanent structures are not allowed in these areas, and landscaping may be restricted.

Right of Way (ROW)
The right of way is public land typically adjacent to and including the roadway. It is owned by the City, state or federal government and used for streets and essential utilities. Property owners are limited in what they can install or modify within the ROW.

Need help?
For questions about easements or right of way on your property, contact the City Engineer at Engineering@Germantown-TN.gov or call (901) 757-7287.

Additional Information:

For information on improvements to commercial, multi-family or institutional properties, contact Senior Code Compliance Officer Hunter Browndyke at HBrowndyke@Germantown-TN.gov or (901) 751-7602.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer