Clarksville is the county seat of Montgomery County, on the Kentucky line northwest of Nashville, where the Red River flows into the Cumberland. I’m Jeff Lucas with Jeff Lucas Homes at Benchmark Realty, and I’ve been helping people buy and sell homes in Middle Tennessee since 2015. This guide gives you a quick picture of Clarksville and then gets into what’s specific about buying or selling there. A couple of things work differently in Montgomery County, including trash service and how you look up property records.

Clarksville Background

The North Carolina legislature founded Clarksville in 1785 and named it for General George Rogers Clark. The town was laid out on the hill above the Cumberland River. Fort Defiance Civil War Park sits on a bluff above where the Red and Cumberland rivers meet. Sevier Station is documented as the oldest standing structure in Montgomery County.

• Downtown: Franklin Street, Public Square and Strawberry Alley have historic buildings, local shops, the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, and the Roxy Regional Theatre. The Downtown Market has run on Saturday mornings around Public Square since 2009, generally from May through October.
• Outdoors: McGregor Park is home to the one-mile Cumberland RiverWalk. Liberty Park has a 10-acre fishing pond and a four-lane boat ramp. Dunbar Cave State Park covers 140 acres, with guided cave tours from May through September.
• Austin Peay State University has its main campus downtown at 601 College Street.
• Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), sits on the Kentucky-Tennessee border between Clarksville and Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
• Roads: Interstate 24 connects Clarksville southeast to Nashville. U.S. 79 (Wilma Rudolph Boulevard), U.S. 41A (Madison Street and Fort Campbell Boulevard) and State Route 374 are the other main routes.

Buying in Clarksville: What to Check

City or county, and two tax bills

Clarksville is the only incorporated city in Montgomery County. According to the County Trustee, homes inside Clarksville city limits pay both city and county property taxes. Homes outside the city pay county taxes only. The County Trustee collects only the county portion.

• Montgomery County Trustee (350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-B): taxes are due starting the first Monday in October and must be paid by the last day of February to avoid interest. Bills can be viewed and paid online through the Trustee’s site.
• Montgomery County Assessor of Property (350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-C): use this office for questions about a property’s value, classification or mailing address.

One thing to know: Montgomery County is one of the counties that runs its own property records site rather than appearing in the state’s TN Property Viewer. Start your lookups from the county Assessor’s website.

Also from the Trustee: Tennessee law doesn’t require tax notices to be mailed, and not receiving a bill doesn’t excuse the tax. New owners should check their closing statement or title company to see who is responsible for the current year’s taxes.

Utilities

• Electric: CDE Lightband serves Clarksville. Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC), headquartered in Clarksville, serves all or part of Montgomery County, so confirm the provider for homes outside the city.
• Water, sewer and natural gas: Clarksville Gas and Water. You can apply by phone or at its service centers at 2215 Madison Street and 111 Cunningham Lane.

Trash works differently here

Plan ahead for this one. Montgomery County’s own FAQ says neither the city nor the county offers municipal trash or recycling pickup. Residents either hire a private hauler or take their trash to Bi-County Solid Waste Management’s convenience centers. Bi-County charges a user fee to each occupied household either way. Budget for it as part of your move.

Flood zone

Clarksville took damage in the May 2010 floods, and two rivers plus their creeks run through the area. Look up any property on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center and get an insurance quote before you’re under contract. Montgomery County’s Building and Codes department also keeps flood and stormwater information on its website.

School zone

Public schools are run by the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS), which serves both the city and the county. CMCSS has an address-specific zoning and transportation lookup on its Bus and Zoning Information page. Use it for any home you’re serious about.

Permits

The City of Clarksville Building and Codes department handles permits and inspections inside the city. Montgomery County Building and Codes covers property outside city jurisdiction. If a home has an addition, finished basement or pool, ask whether it was permitted.

Septic and HOA

Outside sewer service areas, septic systems in Montgomery County fall under the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. A state septic inspection letter is available for a fee, and Tennessee rules require the agent writing the offer to make the buyer aware of it. For subdivisions, Tennessee’s disclosure form covers HOA authority, dues and special assessments, so get the covenants early.

Relocating on military orders

If you’re moving to Fort Campbell, give me your report date and your timeline, and we’ll build the search and closing schedule around them.

Closing in Montgomery County

Deeds and deeds of trust are recorded with the Montgomery County Register of Deeds at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-A. The title company handles the recording. The Register’s published fees include the state conveyance (transfer) tax of $3.70 per $1,000, which is the same 37 cents per $100 set by state law, paid by the buyer unless your contract says otherwise. Loans carry the state mortgage tax of $1.15 per $1,000, with the first $2,000 exempt. Sellers should be ready to complete Tennessee’s Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement before the contract is fully signed.

How I Help Buyers and Sellers in Clarksville

I’m a Middle Tennessee native and have helped sell over 720 homes here since 2015, with more than 300 client reviews along the way. My approach is pretty simple: answer your questions, give you straightforward advice, and help you make a good decision. In Clarksville, that means sorting out city versus county taxes, utilities, trash, flood zone and school zone for each address, and keeping the lender, inspectors and title company on schedule. Whether you’re buying, selling or relocating, use me as a resource. Call or text 615-207-5602 or email jeff@jefflucashomes.com. Talk to you soon.