FAQs

Location

Barnes Cove is a peaceful neighborhood located in the southeast corner of Nashville, Tennessee. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find it is ideally situated, as it is just minutes away from the trailhead of the six-mile-long, paved Mill Creek Greenway. Being in the southern end of Davidson County, we are also fairly close to both Davidson County and Williamson County parks in addition to the numerous state parks within an hour's drive.

A large portion of the perimeter and interior of our community is bordered by woods and fields, which afford many homeowners numerous opportunities for outstanding wildlife viewing.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact a board member by clicking Contact Us.

Barnes Cove is located in Metro District 31. The Council Member for Metro District 31 is John Rutherford. His contact information can be located here.

Code violations

The HOA does not enforce Metro codes/ordinances. Most concerns are reported to Metro Nashville through their customer center website “hub.nashville.gov”. Things such as:

Missing or broken street signs
Dead animals to be removed from the street/sidewalk
Fireworks or other loud noises
Sidewalk or curb repairs
Clogged storm drains
Reporting parked cars close to intersections
Reporting commercial vehicles parked in the neighborhood
Speeding vehicles

Garage Sales

We hold the neighborhood garage sales whenever Lenox Village holds theirs. This is usually twice a year, once in the Spring and one in the Fall.

Trailers or other large objects

We do not allow commercial vehicles, boats, RVs, trailers, or anything of the like to be parked in the neighborhood. If it doesn’t fit in your garage, it can’t be parked in the neighborhood. If you see any of these vehicles please ask your neighbor to park it somewhere else, as many folks just don’t know that these are not allowed. If the vehicle remains, contact the HOA. We do make exceptions to allow RVs or boats to be parked in driveways for loading/unloading purposes immediately adjacent to an outing/trip as long as the HOA is notified.

Landscaping and Brush Collection

Common area landscaping is currently contracted to All American Lawn Care.

HOWEVER, disposing your own brush/clippings into the common areas is NOT acceptable. We do not pay to remove brush/clippings from residences. If there is brush dumped in the common area that our contractor has to remove, the removal of non-HOA trimmings will be charged to the property owner. If it is not clear who the dumping party is then the cost will be charged to all homeowners, resulting in increased HOA dues.

PLEASE help keep our dues low by taking care of your own landscaping. If you have brush removal, mowing, or landscaping needs that you’d like help with, please contact Nick at “[email protected]”. He’s often in the area and can work with you on a quote to take care of whatever you would like taken care of at your home for a reasonable price.

Brush Collection: Metro Public Works, their website is located here.

Metro Public Works picks up brush in our neighborhood four (4) times a year. Current schedule can be found here.

(Barnes Cove is in Area 5).

You may place brush out in front of your house for collection up to two weeks before the scheduled date. Typically, you can expect Public Works to pick brush up within a week to ten (10) days of the scheduled date.

When a brush collection date is coming up, take a moment to look around your backyard and the common area behind your house and pull out that ugly old pile of branches that's been collecting for years! Drag it out to your front yard and make your property taxes work for you!

In the Spring, why not rake up those leaves from last Fall? You can bag them using paper bags (no plastic - see above photo) and have your city haul them off for you. (Hart Ace Hardware sells them cheap!) Just leave them at the curb.

So let's get busy and thanks for helping keep our neighborhood beautiful! If you have any brush you would like to have picked up, please:

place it by the curb of your front yard, but NOT on the street or sidewalk
place any leaves or grass clippings in biodegradable paper bags (available at hardware stores)
make sure it is close enough to the curb or roadway for the "knuckle boom" truck to reach it
make sure it is clear from any low-hanging trees or power lines
make sure it is not placed close to mailboxes, utility poles, trees or other stationary objects
make sure it is not placed where it can be washed into a storm drain

Metro will NOT pick up:

Limbs greater than four (4) inches in diameter
Limbs longer than 15 feet in length
Stumps with root balls and dirt
Leaves or grass clippings in plastic bags (they must be in paper bags)
Anything other than true yard waste

For more information, please visit Metro Public Works' web page, click here.

Home Purchases/Sales

If you are buying or selling a house, there will definitely be paperwork that you will need the HOA to complete. Because we are all volunteer and we have our own jobs (some of which require travel for work), please tell your real estate or mortgage people to contact the treasurer at “[email protected]” early in the process. We don’t want to hold up anything, but we’ve had some situations in the past where mortgage/refinance people were trying to get hold of us while we were unavailable.

Mailboxes

If your mailbox is damaged and you’d like to replace it, it must match the neighborhood standard. At this time, it is recommended to contact Steven White at 615-793-8817.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Architectural Review Committee.

Sheds

Sheds have historically not been allowed by the Architectural Review Committee due to the aesthetic requirements for all neighborhood structures outlined in the bylaws. Contact the ARC chair if you wish to discuss further.

Utilities

Our HOA pays the bill to keep the street lights on, but any repairs/outages are handled by NES.

Electric

Please report streetlamp outages to https://nespower.com/. This is also the same portal that can be used to report power outages at your home.

Water

Water is provided to all county residents by Metro Water Services https://www.nashville.gov/Water-Services.aspx

Natural Gas

Natural gas in this area is provided by Piedmont www.piedmontng.com/home

TV & Internet

There is no sole source/provider for TV/Internet, so check around to see whichever one meets your needs!

Trash Pickup

Trash pickup must be individually contracted, the HOA doesn’t have a contract with anyone and we’re outside Metro’s trash pickup zones. Most people contract with Hudgins Disposal or GFL Environmental. Check their websites for more information on trash and recycling services.

Trash Pick Up: Hudgins Disposal 615-228-6331 or GFL Environmental: 615-350-5901

Broken Pipe?

Do you have a broken pipe sticking up in your yard?

Your sewer drain line typically has a “clean-out” cap that plumbers can use to access your pipes in the event of an emergency. If these caps are broken then objects like grass, rocks, trash, or other debris may fall in and clog your sewer line! Other pipes or boxes in your yard may include telecommunications, water, or gas boxes.

When in doubt, dial “811” to ask for someone to come mark the utilities in your yard (it’s free!) before you dig.

Helpful Contact Resources

Non-Emergency Police and Fire: 615-862-8600

Broken streets, sidewalks, curbs Metro Public Works: 615-862-8700

Please use Hub Nashville (https://hub.nashville.gov) to report non emergency requests.

What is required by the association when buying a house?

The title company should send an email to [email protected] requesting information for closing. They should attach their estoppel form to the email.

The annual dues are currently $300.00, and they are subject to change. There is also a transfer fee of $250.00 when buying/selling a home.

NOTE: Dues for 2025 will be increasing.

The Restrictive Covenants are available on here on this web site.

What is the address of the association?

You may send correspondence to:
Barnes Cove HOA
5543 Edmondson Pike #30
Nashville, TN 37211

How do I contact a member of the Board?

The listing of the members of the Board of Directors is located on the Barnes Cove HOA website.

Any board member may be contacted via this website and questions may be posted for board members. The great thing about our all-volunteer HOA is that we all live here in the neighborhood! Feel free to chat with us if you see us walking or out and about.

What must I do if I want to add a fence, a playset, a deck, a pool, a screened porch, a treehouse, a playhouse, an addition to my home, re-landscape my yard, etc.?

Prior to implementing the addition or change, submit the request via the website at barnecove.org

All proposed building changes to one’s property must be submitted in writing with copies of applicable drawings to the Board’s Architectural Review Board prior to the beginning of construction.

All such projects must be approved by the Board’s Architectural Review Chairman. At present, residents building decks, installing pools, erecting playsets, or any structure not part of the dwelling are required either to locate their property pins or have a professional survey done prior to approval. This requirement is at the discretion of the ARC for all other structures one may request. Projects are reviewed for compliance to the restrictive deeds and covenants. The main criteria considered in a review is compliance with the restrictive covenants. The Board’s sole responsibility in such matters is ensuring the proposed structure does not detract from the décor of the neighborhood or place the Association and its residents at risk of liability. For this reason, the Board and the Architectural Review Chairman have latitude in decision-making.

For any approved structure(s), the location (boundaries/property lines), the movement of utility lines, the impedance to drainage flows, and the safety of the structure are the complete and total responsibility of the resident. As such, these criteria are not a basis of consideration when the ARC makes a decision to approve or disapprove. Those who build structures that do not meet the conditions of the restrictive covenants could be asked to remove them at owner expense. Those who do not comply are subject to legal action on behalf of the Association. The covenants and deeds of restriction define size, materials, locations, etc. for most types of structures. They are in place to protect the property value of all Barnes Cove residents.

Metro requires that one obtain building permits for many types of construction. This is requirement is the responsibility of the resident.

What can be done about cars parked on the sidewalks, debris placed on sidewalks, or trashcans obstructing the sidewalks?

It is a violation of Metro ordinance to obstruct any public sidewalk. This includes parking cars wholly or partially on them, placing debris on them, bags of trash on them, and garbage cans on them. You may not obstruct a sidewalk. Doing so causes pedestrians to have to walk into the street to avoid them and this could result in a serious accident. The BOD’s has repeatedly asked that residents refrain from obstructing sidewalks and that they inform their guests who may park on them. As a result of the numerous complaints the BOD’s has received concerning this matter, The BOD’s has consulted Metro about enforcement options. Metro has advised that we contact it and it will send officers who will issue written citations to offenders. Out of respect for our neighbors and for safety reasons, all residents are respectfully asked to refrain from such activity.

Is there anything that can be done about residents allowing their dogs to roam freely or ones that persistently bark?

The Board asks that residents first contact their neighbors to advise them of the nuisance. If unsuccessful, the resident may contact Metro Police who, based on priority, may or may not cite the owner. All residents in Barnes Cove are subject to Metro leash laws. Enforcement of these laws is under the jurisdiction of Metro’s Animal Control Division. The Barnes Cove Board of Directors has no authority to enforce leash laws. Residents of Barnes Cove are also subject to Metro laws pertaining to noise. Dogs barking during hours late in the evening or early in morning could be in violation of this code. In such instances (barking dogs), residents should first contact their neighbors to advise them of the nuisance.

What do I do if a tree located on common ground poses a risk to my home?

If you feel any tree on common ground poses a risk to your home, contact a member of the Board of Directors by using the Contact Us on the website. The Board of Directors will go to assess the situation. Because such removal is at the expense of the Association, only trees or limbs deemed to be a potential safety or damage hazard will be removed, trimmed, etc. The board is under no responsibility to have unsightly trees and/or limbs which pose no safety or damage risk removed/trimmed. The cost of tree trimming/removal is very expensive. Thus, the board exercises great discretion.

What is the policy regarding disposing of grass clippings/leaf debris/brush/trimmings etc. in the street, storm drains or drainage areas?

It is a violation for any resident or hired lawn service to dump/blow grass clippings, leaf debris, etc. into the street, a storm drain, or drainage area. Residents are requested to refrain from blowing such debris into the street because during subsequent rains it washes into the storm drains and drainage areas. Those who dump/blow debris into storm drains/drainage areas are subject to Metro and board imposed fines. Owners are responsible for the bagging and removal of all such debris. The homeowner is responsible for communicating this to their lawn service. The Board asks that you be considerate of your neighbors. If storm drains become clogged with debris, other residences can be adversely affected. Should you observe any resident engaging in such activity, you are asked to report it to a member of the Board of Directors.

Annual HOA Dues

Barnes Cove HOA Dues are $300.00 annually and due in January.

NOTE: HOA dues will be increasing in 2025.

Homeowner’s Association Dues may be paid by check, money order, or pay online by utilizing the bill pay feature at your financial institution. You can make payments by mailing a check or using Zelle.

Paying by mail:

Please send payments to the following address.

Barnes Cove HOA

5543 Edmondson Pike #30

Nashville, TN 37211

Paying by Zelle:

Please send to: [email protected]

If you have any questions regarding HOA Dues, please email [email protected].

Paying Dues With Zelle

You can pay your dues using Zelle. Please send payments to [email protected] from Zelle.