Home Studio Exceptions Up for Public Debate

Producer Nomad Ovunc operates a studio that he built in the backyard of his East Nashville home.

Musicians and their disapproving neighbors are set to duel over whether home studios should get more leeway in Nashville’s zoning laws. A bill in the Metro Council is up for a public hearing Tuesday night.

Current rules prevent any home-based business from serving patrons on site, including recording artists.

In a place like Music City, there are dozens – if not hundreds – of producers like Nomad Ovunc making music professionally in a reworked basement or detached garage. At least one received notice from the city this year that he was out of compliance.

The proposed legislation would make home studios honest enterprises, allowing up to 10 visitors a day.

“If people are worried about this industry coming out of the woods and not being scared anymore, legislation is going to help the neighbor who is scared because now you’re going to have a legal framework that you can go and complain.”

The city’s noise ordinance would continue to apply, but the legislation still has opposition.

A broader bill loosening restrictions on home-based businesses was soundly defeated last year over fears that it could turn some neighborhoods into residential office parks.