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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Berry Hill
Berry Hill's FAQ states that other than normal repairs and minor improvements not involving structural changes and costing less than $4,000, a building permit is required for alterations to the building or property. The building page also says permits are required before construction, modification, demolition, or erecting a sign or fence.
Normal repairs
Minor improvements not involving structural changes
Work costing less than $4,000
- Exempt Normal repairs
- Exempt Minor improvements not involving structural changes
- Exempt Work costing less than $4,000
Note: Work must remain within the city's normal-repairs and minor-improvements standard to qualify for exemption.
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Complete plans
- Site plan, circulation, utility plans, drainage, landscaping, signage, parking, ingress and egress, and construction plans for commercial, industrial, and multifamily submittals
- Contractor license and workers compensation certificate or exemption affidavit
- Owner consent for tenant improvements or tenant signage
- Building code
- Berry Hill's building page says the city has adopted the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code. The FAQ page still references 2012 editions, so the dedicated building page appears to be the newer source.
- Permit validity
- Berry Hill does not publish a simple permit-expiration note on its permit page. Because the city states it has adopted the 2018 IBC and 2018 IRC, a six-month inactivity rule may apply unless locally amended. Treat this as an inference and confirm with Administrative Services.
- Owner-builder
- Not clearly stated in the public Berry Hill materials reviewed.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors on projects with contract value of $25,000 or more must submit the contract, a valid Tennessee State Contractor's License appropriate to the value and work, and workers compensation insurance documentation.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No fixed turnaround posted.
- 01 Download the Berry Hill building permit application and prepare complete plans.
- 02 Submit the application to Administrative Services with complete plans; the city states an application is not officially accepted unless accompanied by complete plans.
- 03 For projects at $25,000 or more, include the contract, the Tennessee State Contractor's License appropriate to the work and value, and workers compensation insurance documentation.
- 04 If the project is tenant improvements or tenant signage, include written consent of the property owner.
- 05 Obtain Metro Nashville Fire Marshal plan approval before Berry Hill can issue the building permit.
- 06 After Berry Hill issues the building permit, submit mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans to Metro Nashville Codes for those separate permits.
- 07 Complete Berry Hill structural inspections, Metro fire inspections, and Metro MEP inspections. No certificate of occupancy may issue until final acceptances are received for all ancillary permits and the Fire Marshal.
Typical processing time: No fixed turnaround posted.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Berry Hill building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No fee for valuation of $1,000 and less unless inspection or plan review is required, in which case $75 for each inspection or plan review
02
Plan check fee
One-half of the calculated building permit fee, payable at plan submittal and nonrefundable; one- and two-family dwellings are exempt
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based building permit fees with a graduated schedule; the fee schedule also includes flat fees for moving, use and occupancy where no building permit was issued, and various planning and zoning applications
04
Reinspection fee
$75 per inspection in certain valuation bands
05
Penalty (no permit)
Doubled building and plan review fees if work starts before permit issuance
Plan review fees are due at submittal and are nonrefundable even if the building permit is never issued.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Administrative Services Department: 615-292-5531 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Berry Hill handles structural building inspections; Metro Nashville Fire Marshal handles fire and life safety inspections; Metro Nashville Codes handles mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections; final acceptances are required before certificate of occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Berry Hill permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Berry Hill, TN? ▸
Berry Hill's FAQ states that other than normal repairs and minor improvements not involving structural changes and costing less than $4,000, a building permit is required for alterations to the building or property. The building page also says permits are required before construction, modification, demolition, or erecting a sign or fence.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Berry Hill, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Berry Hill, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is No fee for valuation of $1,000 and less unless inspection or plan review is required, in which case $75 for each inspection or plan review. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based building permit fees with a graduated schedule; the fee schedule also includes flat fees for moving, use and occupancy where no building permit was issued, and various planning and zoning applications. Plan check fee: One-half of the calculated building permit fee, payable at plan submittal and nonrefundable; one- and two-family dwellings are exempt.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Berry Hill, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Berry Hill, TN, follow these steps: 1. Download the Berry Hill building permit application and prepare complete plans. 2. Submit the application to Administrative Services with complete plans; the city states an application is not officially accepted unless accompanied by complete plans. 3. For projects at $25,000 or more, include the contract, the Tennessee State Contractor's License appropriate to the work and value, and workers compensation insurance documentation. 4. If the project is tenant improvements or tenant signage, include written consent of the property owner. 5. Obtain Metro Nashville Fire Marshal plan approval before Berry Hill can issue the building permit. 6. After Berry Hill issues the building permit, submit mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans to Metro Nashville Codes for those separate permits. 7. Complete Berry Hill structural inspections, Metro fire inspections, and Metro MEP inspections. No certificate of occupancy may issue until final acceptances are received for all ancillary permits and the Fire Marshal.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Berry Hill, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Berry Hill, TN typically run No fixed turnaround posted.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Berry Hill, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Berry Hill, TN. The following work is generally exempt: Normal repairs; Minor improvements not involving structural changes; Work costing less than $4,000. Note: Work must remain within the city's normal-repairs and minor-improvements standard to qualify for exemption. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Berry Hill, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Berry Hill, TN via: Administrative Services Department: 615-292-5531.
last verified April 2026
source Administrative Services Department ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/davidson/berry-hill
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Administrative Services Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.