City Building Permits
Milan, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Milan, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
City of Milan permit authority applies inside Milan city limits.
- Department
- City of Milan Building and Codes Department
- Address
- 1061 S. Main St., Milan, TN 38358
- Phone
- 731-686-0774
- bburns@cityofmilantn.com
Online Permit Portal
Platform: City website forms and PDF applications • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm whether the project needs a residential or commercial permit.
- Prepare the application and required supporting documents.
- Submit the city form online or contact Building and Codes.
- Provide approved plans with the application when requested.
- Complete erosion control approval before footing inspection if soil disturbance is involved.
- Receive permit issuance from the Building and Codes Department.
Typical processing time: Not published
General Requirements
The public page points to residential and commercial permit applications. The residential application requires a copy of approved plans. The city also requires erosion control approval before footing inspection for projects that disturb soil.
Required Documents
- Copy of approved plans, project information, contractor Tennessee registration number, contractor insurance and state contractor license when permit is issued, and erosion control approval where applicable.
- Permit validity
- Not published on the main page. The commercial application includes permit field data and the city publishes inspection requirements.
- Building code
- 2018 International Codes Series, except the Energy Code, effective February 12, 2021.
- Owner-builder
- The residential form is an owner/applicant signature form, but no separate owner-builder policy was published.
- Contractor requirements
- Residential form states a copy of contractor insurance and state contractor license is required when permit is issued.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $15 for $1,000 and less, unless inspection required, in which case $15 per inspection is charged
- Plan check fee
- For construction over $1,000,000, plan-checking fee equals one-half of the building permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based
- Reinspection fee
- If work starts before permit issuance, fees are doubled
- Payment note
- The published fee sheet also lists moving fee of $100 and plumbing base fee of $25 plus $5 per additional fixture
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Milan Building and Codes Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact Building and Codes at least 24 hours before required inspections (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Thursday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Time windows
- Monday through Thursday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm or 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Typical inspection sequence: Footing, underground plumbing, gas piping rough-in, framing, rough plumbing, final
The residential form says the owner/contractor must call for all necessary inspections and keep work uncovered until approved
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 International Codes Series, except the Energy Code, effective February 12, 2021.
- 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 City of Milan Building and Codes Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Milan Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Milan, TN?
- The public page points to residential and commercial permit applications. The residential application requires a copy of approved plans. The city also requires erosion control approval before footing inspection for projects that disturb soil.
- How much does a building permit cost in Milan, TN?
- The minimum permit fee is $15 for $1,000 and less, unless inspection required, in which case $15 per inspection is charged. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. Plan check fee: For construction over $1,000,000, plan-checking fee equals one-half of the building permit fee.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Milan, TN?
- 1. Confirm whether the project needs a residential or commercial permit. 2. Prepare the application and required supporting documents. 3. Submit the city form online or contact Building and Codes. 4. Provide approved plans with the application when requested. 5. Complete erosion control approval before footing inspection if soil disturbance is involved. 6. Receive permit issuance from the Building and Codes Department.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Milan, TN?
- Typical processing time is Not published.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Milan, TN?
- The following work is generally exempt: No comprehensive exemption list was published on the main permit page.; The city posts an Affidavit of Exemption form..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Milan, TN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact Building and Codes at least 24 hours before required inspections.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Milan can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector worksOther cities in Gibson County
View all Gibson County jurisdictions →