Nashville–Davidson apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams: protect NOI while giving every resident the clean, convenient valet trash & recycling service they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered around the Waste Management Policies of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County and Metro Code Chapter 10.20 (Waste Management), helping property managers align with multi-family design standards for 5+ unit communities and the mandatory “offer to recycle” requirement for private haulers.
Within the consolidated Metro Nashville–Davidson government, new construction and substantial renovation of multi-family developments with 5 or more dwelling units must include a waste management and recycling collection plan approved through Metro’s solid waste review, with dumpster or compactor collection for both trash and recycling under the Waste Management Policies and Solid Waste Guidelines (SW1–8). At the same time, every private hauler serving Davidson County is required to offer a recycling option to its trash customers under Metro Code §10.20.105, so property managers can and should build recycling into their service agreements rather than treating it as an optional extra.
- Protect NOI & Reputation: Reduce exposure to per-day civil penalties under Metro Code Chapter 10.20 and complaints to Metro Waste Services by designing service that matches Nashville’s waste and recycling policies.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection that keeps residents out of dark enclosures, cuts down on trips to dumpsters, and supports renewals, online reputation, and safer communities.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, pad design, and collection routes aligned with Metro’s Solid Waste Review, Dumpster & Compactor Standards, and SW1–8 multi-family recycling expectations.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your team can focus on leasing, service, and asset strategy.
At a Glance: Metro Nashville–Davidson & Satellite Cities
Metro Nashville–Davidson (All of Davidson County)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling design standard for multi-family 5+ units (through Metro Waste Management Policies) and a Mandatory offer of recycling service for all private haulers under §10.20.105.
- Applicability Threshold: Multi-family developments with 5 or more dwelling units must provide dumpster or compactor collection for trash and recycling and submit a waste & recycling collection plan through Metro’s Solid Waste Review.
- Property Manager Duties: Ensure each qualifying community has adequate dumpster/compactor capacity for both trash and recycling, located on approved pads with safe truck access; maintain a current collection plan; and contract only with haulers that offer recycling service.
- Hauler Duties: Under Metro Code §10.20.105 and the Waste Management Policies, every private hauler must offer a recycling option to trash customers in Nashville–Davidson and hold a Private Collection Permit.
- Key Metro Links: Metro Code – Chapter 10.20 Waste Management · Metro Waste Management Policies (incl. §10.20.105) · Solid Waste Guidelines – SW1–8 (Multi-Family) · Recycle Right – Metro Nashville
Satellite Cities within Davidson County
- Cities Included: Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Goodlettsville (Davidson portion), Oak Hill, and Ridgetop (Davidson portion).
- Mandate Type: No separate, stricter apartment recycling ordinances were identified. These cities generally rely on Metro’s waste management framework plus local contracts for trash & recycling.
- Program Duties: Maintain adequate trash collection, prevent overflow and nuisance conditions, and leverage haulers’ required recycling offerings to provide residents with convenient recycling access.
- Examples: Belle Meade and Berry Hill provide or contract for residential recycling service and issue RFPs for solid waste and recycling collection, but they do not currently add a separate apartment-only recycling mandate beyond Metro’s rules.
- How National Doorstep Helps: We design valet trash & recycling programs that fit Metro Nashville’s solid waste policies and each city’s service contracts, so your communities in Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Goodlettsville, Oak Hill, and Ridgetop are consistently “inspection ready.”
Davidson County, TN Cities & Apartment Recycling Mandates
The consolidated Metro Nashville–Davidson government controls solid waste and recycling for all of Davidson County. Metro’s policies create a functional multifamily recycling framework for 5+ unit communities and require all private haulers to offer recycling service. Satellite cities within the county generally do not add separate apartment recycling ordinances but operate within this Metro framework and their own service contracts.
| City | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Nashville–Davidson (Consolidated City–County) | Yes – Multi-family design standard + hauler “offer to recycle” requirement |
New and substantially renovated multi-family developments with 5+ dwelling units must include dumpster or compactor collection for both trash and recycling and submit a waste management and recycling collection plan as part of Metro’s Solid Waste Review. Under Metro Code §10.20.105, all private haulers are required to offer a recycling option to their trash customers, including multi-family communities. Property managers should confirm that their haulers are properly permitted and that on-site capacity and access reflect Metro’s Waste Management Policies and Solid Waste Guidelines. Key links: Metro Code – Chapter 10.20 · Waste Management Policies (incl. §10.20.105) · SW1–8 Multi-Family Guidelines |
| Belle Meade | No separate apartment recycling ordinance – relies on Metro framework & contracts |
Belle Meade provides back-door garbage pickup and residential recycling under city contract, with recyclables collected on the same day as trash. Multi-family properties are expected to comply with solid waste and nuisance rules and can use private haulers’ recycling offerings to serve residents. Property managers should coordinate with the city’s contracted hauler and ensure enclosures are clean and accessible. Key links: City of Belle Meade – Streets & Recycling |
| Berry Hill | No separate apartment recycling ordinance – residential recycling provided by contract |
Berry Hill issues RFPs for solid waste and recyclable collection and transporting services within the city limits. While the city emphasizes residential recycling, there is no distinct apartment-only recycling mandate beyond Metro’s standards. Apartment communities typically use contracted services to provide trash and recycling access for residents. Key links: City of Berry Hill – Official Site |
| Forest Hills | No separate apartment recycling ordinance – uses private haulers |
Forest Hills does not operate its own trash trucks; residents and multi-family properties contract directly with private haulers that offer trash and recycling. Property managers should select haulers that meet Metro’s permit and “offer to recycle” requirements and design enclosures that prevent overflow and nuisance conditions. Key links: City of Forest Hills – Official Site |
| Goodlettsville (Davidson County portion) | No separate apartment recycling ordinance – regional service model |
Goodlettsville spans Davidson and Sumner counties and contracts for trash and recycling services. While the city supports recycling access, there is no separate multi-family recycling mandate with its own penalty structure for the Davidson County portion. Property managers should align with both Goodlettsville’s service contracts and Metro Nashville’s solid waste framework when sizing containers and choosing haulers. Key links: City of Goodlettsville – Official Site |
| Oak Hill | No separate apartment recycling ordinance – contracts for garbage & recycling |
Oak Hill uses contracts for garbage and recycling services and may rely on interlocal agreements with Metro for certain enforcement functions. There is no stand-alone apartment recycling mandate identified in Oak Hill’s code. Multi-family properties should incorporate recycling into their hauler agreements and maintain containers and pads to Metro and Oak Hill standards. Key links: City of Oak Hill – Official Site |
| Ridgetop (Davidson County portion) | No separate apartment recycling ordinance – small Metro-adjacent jurisdiction |
Ridgetop is primarily in Robertson County with a small portion in Davidson County. Solid waste and recycling service is coordinated by the city and private haulers. There is no distinct apartment recycling mandate beyond general solid waste rules. Property managers should work with haulers to provide residents with recycling service that is consistent with Metro Nashville’s “offer to recycle” requirement. Key links: City of Ridgetop – Official Site |
Nashville–Davidson Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Per-Day Civil Penalties: Under Metro Code Chapter 10.20 (Waste Management) and the associated Waste Management Policies, violations of waste and recycling requirements may be cited as civil offenses with fines of up to $50 per day, per violation, consistent with Tennessee’s municipal fine limits.
- Each Day = Separate Offense: If a community fails to follow an approved waste & recycling collection plan, uses unpermitted haulers, or ignores solid waste directives, each day the condition persists can be treated as a separate offense within the allowed fine range.
- Exposure for Haulers & Property Managers: Both private haulers (for failing to offer recycling or operate under permit) and property owners/property managers (for non-compliant container layouts, access, or service) can be cited when they do not meet Chapter 10.20 and policy requirements.
- Service & Access Consequences: In addition to fines, Metro may withhold or discontinue Metro-provided trash services at sites that do not comply with solid waste and recycling standards until deficiencies are corrected.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a compliance file: keep copies of Solid Waste Review approvals, hauler permits, service logs, site plans, photos, and resident education materials. This documentation helps demonstrate good-faith compliance if Metro raises questions or issues a notice of violation.
Nashville Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Unit Count | Verify that your community is located within Metro Nashville–Davidson County and confirm the total number of dwelling units. If your property is a multi-family development with 5 or more units, Metro’s SW1–8 multi-family waste & recycling standards and Waste Management Policies apply to your design and operations. | Metro Waste Services – Department Home · SW1–8 Multi-Family Guidelines |
| ☑ Submit or Review Your Solid Waste Plan | For new projects or significant renovations, work with your design team to submit a Solid Waste Review package that graphically shows all carts, dumpsters, and compactors (trash and recycling), labeled with capacity and collection routes. For existing sites, confirm that your current layout and plan still match what Metro has on file. | Solid Waste Review – Metro Nashville |
| ☑ Engage a Permitted Hauler that Offers Recycling | Confirm that your current vendor holds a valid Private Collection Permit under Metro Code §10.20.100 and offers recycling service in compliance with §10.20.105. If you only have trash service, you are leaving residents without required recycling options and increasing your enforcement risk. | Private Collection Permits · Recycle Right – Resident Guidance |
| ☑ Provide Adequate Capacity & Safe Access | Use Metro’s Dumpster & Compactor Standards and SW1–8 guidance to right-size dumpster or compactor capacity for both trash and recycling. Ensure containers sit on approved pads, have safe truck access, and are easy and reasonably convenient for residents to reach from their buildings or valet collection points. | Dumpster & Compactor Standards |
| ☑ Resident Education & Contamination Control | Provide clear, recurring resident education at move-in and throughout the year: what materials can be recycled, how valet trash & recycling works, and where containers are located. Use signage at enclosures, mail kiosks, elevators, and digital channels so every resident knows how to use the service correctly and keep contamination low. | Recycle Right – What to Recycle |
| ☑ Document Service, Inspections & Issues | Keep a centralized file with service logs, hauler contracts, Solid Waste Review approvals, photos of container areas, contamination notices, and resident communications. This helps property managers respond quickly to complaints, demonstrate good-faith compliance to Metro, and defend the asset’s waste strategy to owners and lenders. | Metro Waste Services – Contact & Resources |
Want to stay out of the “$50 per-day, per-violation” risk zone? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Nashville-area property. We’ll review your current enclosure layout, hauler agreements, and resident experience, then design a valet trash & recycling program and inspector-ready documentation that line up with Metro Nashville’s Chapter 10.20 Waste Management and multi-family recycling expectations.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
