How much does a building permit cost in Ashland City, TN?

The minimum permit fee is Public fee schedule reviewed does not show a universal minimum for all permit types; some permit types have flat fees. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential and commercial permit work uses published flat or square-foot formulas in supporting documents and ordinance references. Plan check fee: Not clearly published on the main pages reviewed; some engineering and review fees may apply in developers packet materials.

How do I apply for a building permit in Ashland City, TN?

1. Confirm zoning and whether the project is permitted in the district. 2. Complete the applicable PDF application from the city forms pages. 3. Email the editable form to Alicia Martin or deliver it to City Hall. 4. Include supporting documents and, for homeowner builds, proof of ownership. 5. Obtain septic approval from the county environmentalist when applicable, and pay county adequate facilities and impact fees for one- and two-family homes before permit issuance. 6. Obtain any required driveway access approval. 7. Submit for building permit review; the city states applications are reviewed and zoning interpretations are typically provided within 10 business days for interpretation requests. 8. Schedule inspections by email or phone; the city states inspections require 24-hour notice and are performed Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

What work is exempt from building permits in Ashland City, TN?

The following work is generally exempt: Fence work under 7 feet is not required to be permitted by the city, subject to placement and height limits; Decks that do not exceed 200 square feet, do not serve the exit door, and are not over 30 inches off the ground and not attached to the dwelling are not required to be permitted; One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet are exempt under the city FAQ guidance; Other exemptions are referenced in the citys 2018 IRC permit exemption document and are not fully reproduced on the public page.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Ashland City, TN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Email or phone to city staff; the city states all inspections can be scheduled by email or phone.

City Building Permits

Ashland City, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Ashland City, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Tennessee Cheatham County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Handles permits and code enforcement inside the Town of Ashland City corporate limits. The town also points permit applicants to Cheatham County for septic/environmental review, driveway/road access issues, and county impact fees that must be paid before certain permits are issued.

Department: Town of Ashland City Building Codes, Planning and Zoning
Address: 405 N Main Street, Ashland City, TN 37015
Phone: (615) 792-4211
Email: amartin@ashlandcitytn.gov
Website: https://www.ashlandcitytn.gov/building

Online Permit Portal

Open Portal

Platform: Thin data; applications appear to be emailed or submitted in person • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

Confirm zoning and whether the project is permitted in the district.
Complete the applicable PDF application from the city forms pages.
Email the editable form to Alicia Martin or deliver it to City Hall.
Include supporting documents and, for homeowner builds, proof of ownership.
Obtain septic approval from the county environmentalist when applicable, and pay county adequate facilities and impact fees for one- and two-family homes before permit issuance.
Obtain any required driveway access approval.
Submit for building permit review; the city states applications are reviewed and zoning interpretations are typically provided within 10 business days for interpretation requests.
Schedule inspections by email or phone; the city states inspections require 24-hour notice and are performed Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Typical processing time: Zoning interpretation requests are typically answered within 10 business days; no universal permit issuance timeline published

Source: Town of Ashland City Building Codes, Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

The city requires permits for residential and commercial construction, decks, accessory buildings, driveways, grading, signs, pools, demolition, and related work. FAQ pages also state certain fences, decks under 200 square feet, and small detached accessory structures may be exempt.

Required Documents

City application form, supporting plans, proof of ownership for homeowner pulls, contractor license and insurance when a contractor is involved, septic permit when applicable, and other supporting materials specific to the project type.

Permit validity: Public pages reviewed did not publish a general permit expiration term
Building code: 2018 ICC code cycle / 2018 Residential Code, per city pages and Ordinance 551
Owner-builder: A property owner may build their own home for individual use, with one permit every two years, so long as it is not for sale, lease, or rent. The city warns the owner should not pull a permit on behalf of a contractor.
Contractor requirements: If a contractor is hired, the contractor is considered the prime and must be licensed. Anyone paid in excess of $25,000 by the owner is considered a prime and required to be licensed.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Public fee schedule reviewed does not show a universal minimum for all permit types; some permit types have flat fees
Plan check fee: Not clearly published on the main pages reviewed; some engineering and review fees may apply in developers packet materials
Permit fee formula: Mixed. Residential and commercial permit work uses published flat or square-foot formulas in supporting documents and ordinance references
Reinspection fee: Public pages reviewed did not publish a general reinspection fee; county impact fees are separate from city fees
Payment note: Public pages do not clearly state payment method; city forms are typically emailed or delivered, and county fees for impact facilities are handled separately before residential permit issuance

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Ashland City Building Codes, Planning and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Email or phone to city staff; the city states all inspections can be scheduled by email or phone (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with 24-hour notice
Time windows: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with 24-hour notice

Typical inspection sequence: Public pages reviewed do not provide a complete universal inspection sequence; building and development documents indicate staged inspections for residential work and public works review where utilities or site work are involved

No general public reinspection schedule was found on the reviewed pages

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 ICC code cycle / 2018 Residential Code, per city pages and Ordinance 551
Zoning information: View zoning info
License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Ashland City Building Codes, Planning and Zoning before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ashland City Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Ashland City, TN?: The city requires permits for residential and commercial construction, decks, accessory buildings, driveways, grading, signs, pools, demolition, and related work. FAQ pages also state certain fences, decks under 200 square feet, and small detached accessory structures may be exempt.
How much does a building permit cost in Ashland City, TN?: The minimum permit fee is Public fee schedule reviewed does not show a universal minimum for all permit types; some permit types have flat fees. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential and commercial permit work uses published flat or square-foot formulas in supporting documents and ordinance references. Plan check fee: Not clearly published on the main pages reviewed; some engineering and review fees may apply in developers packet materials.
How do I apply for a building permit in Ashland City, TN?: 1. Confirm zoning and whether the project is permitted in the district. 2. Complete the applicable PDF application from the city forms pages. 3. Email the editable form to Alicia Martin or deliver it to City Hall. 4. Include supporting documents and, for homeowner builds, proof of ownership. 5. Obtain septic approval from the county environmentalist when applicable, and pay county adequate facilities and impact fees for one- and two-family homes before permit issuance. 6. Obtain any required driveway access approval. 7. Submit for building permit review; the city states applications are reviewed and zoning interpretations are typically provided within 10 business days for interpretation requests. 8. Schedule inspections by email or phone; the city states inspections require 24-hour notice and are performed Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Ashland City, TN?: Typical processing time is Zoning interpretation requests are typically answered within 10 business days; no universal permit issuance timeline published.
What work is exempt from building permits in Ashland City, TN?: The following work is generally exempt: Fence work under 7 feet is not required to be permitted by the city, subject to placement and height limits; Decks that do not exceed 200 square feet, do not serve the exit door, and are not over 30 inches off the ground and not attached to the dwelling are not required to be permitted; One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet are exempt under the city FAQ guidance; Other exemptions are referenced in the citys 2018 IRC permit exemption document and are not fully reproduced on the public page.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Ashland City, TN?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Email or phone to city staff; the city states all inspections can be scheduled by email or phone.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Ashland City can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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