Unincorporated Cheatham County

A county permit is required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, change of occupancy, electrical/gas/mechanical/plumbing work, accessory structures, grading and filling, and swimming pools. The county zoning article also says a building permit is required for construction or placement of any structure under roof, with a narrow exemption for the first accessory structure under 200 square feet.

• Exempt The first accessory structure on a parcel is excluded if it does not exceed 200 square feet
• Exempt Minimal excavation or filling required just to prepare the foundation for a building or structure does not require a grading permit, though other permits may still be required
• Exempt County zoning sections also reference exempt signs and nonconforming signs
• Exempt Other exemptions are handled through the county zoning resolution and permit guidance

Building code

2018 International Building Code and 2018 Residential Building Code are listed on the county permit pages

Permit validity

No general county permit expiration period was clearly published in the reviewed pages

Owner-builder

Homeowners constructing their own home are responsible for full code compliance. The county FAQ says owner-builders need a permit application and proof of ownership. Ashland City style owner-builder limits are not stated identically on the county page, so use the county FAQ and office direction for unincorporated lots

Contractor requirements

Contractors must provide a copy of their license and proof of workers compensation insurance

1. 01
   Check zoning, flood zone status, road access, septic needs, and any other required approvals.
2. 02
   Obtain a septic permit from the state environmental office when applicable.
3. 03
   Obtain a driveway permit from the county highway department, or TDOT if the property fronts a state route.
4. 04
   Obtain an electrical permit from the State of Tennessee for any type of structure in the county.
5. 05
   Bring the required plans and supporting documents to the county building office, or submit through the online permit portal.
6. 06
   For contractor work, provide the contractor license and workers compensation documentation.
7. 07
   Pay the county fees and required impact or development charges.
8. 08
   Build only after the permit is issued; county instructions state that the office keeps plans on file until completion and occupancy approval.

Typical processing time: No universal permit processing time was published on the county pages reviewed

Source: Cheatham County Department of Codes, Building Safety / Land Use and Zoning ↗

The permit instructions state the county must have cash or check payable to Cheatham County Building Commission; the fee sheet also notes taxes are due at permit issuance and remaining development tax is due at CO

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• County instructions indicate inspections are part of the permit process and office staff coordinates the sequence; the public pages do not list a modern online scheduling portal (online)

Inspection hours

County office is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with permit applications accepted until 4:00 PM

Time windows

County office is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with permit applications accepted until 4:00 PM

Typical sequence: Footing, foundation, framing, rough-in plumbing, rough-in mechanical, insulation, and final. For county work, final septic and driveway approvals are required before the final inspection/occupancy

If the county is called out before work is ready, additional coordination is implied; a specific reinspection fee was not clearly published in the captured text