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City building permits

Smithville

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

Avg processing
Not publicly stated
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Smithville, Building Department / building, housing and plumbing officials

Street address
104 E. Main St., Smithville, TN 37166
Coverage
City code adopts and enforces its own building code inside Smithville city limits. The city code states a separate Building, Housing and Plumbing Department was established, and the zoning page directs permit questions to City Hall. City authority applies inside incorporated Smithville, not the unincorporated county.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Smithville

Smithville adopted the International Building Code, and its zoning page says building permit rates apply. The city code also modified the code so accessory structures and fences require a permit.

Publicly verified exemptions were not located in the city pages reviewed.
The city code specifically says accessory structures and fences require a permit, so they are not exempt in Smithville.
  • Exempt Publicly verified exemptions were not located in the city pages reviewed.
  • Exempt The city code specifically says accessory structures and fences require a permit, so they are not exempt in Smithville.
Required documents
  • Not fully itemized on the public city page. The city code and zoning materials indicate permit applications are tied to the zoning ordinance and building code review.
Building code
International Building Code, 2000 edition, by Smithville city code; the city zoning page also references the Smithville zoning ordinance and permit rates. The MTAS code notes the building department was established by ordinance.
Permit validity
Not publicly stated in the city materials reviewed
Owner-builder
Not publicly stated in the city materials reviewed
Contractor requirements
Not publicly stated on the city site reviewed
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not publicly stated

  1. 01
    Confirm the work is inside Smithville city limits and subject to city code.
  2. 02
    Contact City Hall at (615) 597-4745 ext. 2 for rates and fees.
  3. 03
    Review the Smithville zoning ordinance and any zoning map constraints.
  4. 04
    Submit permit materials to the city for review and payment.
  5. 05
    Obtain approval before starting work.
  6. 06
    Keep the permit and approved documents on site during construction.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated

Source: City of Smithville, Building Department / building, housing and plumbing officials ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Smithville building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not publicly stated online; City Hall says to contact them for rates and fees
02
Plan check fee
Not publicly stated online
03
Permit fee formula
Not publicly stated online
04
Reinspection fee
Not publicly stated online

Public page only says to contact City Hall for rates and fees

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Not publicly stated online (online)
Inspection hours
Not publicly stated online
Time windows
Not publicly stated online

Typical sequence: Not publicly stated online

Not publicly stated online

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Smithville permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Smithville, TN?
Smithville adopted the International Building Code, and its zoning page says building permit rates apply. The city code also modified the code so accessory structures and fences require a permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Smithville, TN?
Building permit fees in Smithville, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not publicly stated online; City Hall says to contact them for rates and fees. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly stated online. Plan check fee: Not publicly stated online.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Smithville, TN?
To apply for a building permit in Smithville, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the work is inside Smithville city limits and subject to city code. 2. Contact City Hall at (615) 597-4745 ext. 2 for rates and fees. 3. Review the Smithville zoning ordinance and any zoning map constraints. 4. Submit permit materials to the city for review and payment. 5. Obtain approval before starting work. 6. Keep the permit and approved documents on site during construction.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Smithville, TN?
Building permit processing times in Smithville, TN typically run Not publicly stated. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Smithville, TN?
Not all construction work requires a permit in Smithville, TN. The following work is generally exempt: Publicly verified exemptions were not located in the city pages reviewed.; The city code specifically says accessory structures and fences require a permit, so they are not exempt in Smithville.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Smithville, TN?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Smithville, TN via: Not publicly stated online.
last verified April 2026 source City of Smithville, Building Department / building, housing and plumbing officials ↗ entry id permits/tennessee/dekalb/smithville

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Smithville, Building Department / building, housing and plumbing officials before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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