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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Murfreesboro
Building permits are required as prescribed by the IRC/IBC for construction, alteration, repairs other than ordinary maintenance, fences, accessory buildings, pools, and applicable trade work.
Ordinary maintenance repairs to existing buildings and structures
- Exempt Ordinary maintenance repairs to existing buildings and structures
Note: The city publishes specific FAQ and permit-information pages for exempt vs. non-exempt work, but the complete exempt-work text was not fully extractable from the reviewed public pages.
Required documents
- Application form
- Plans for the specific permit type
- Site plan where required
- Trade applications
- Energy/testing forms for applicable residential work
- Commercial electronic plan sets
- Building code
- 2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IPMC, IFC, IECC, ISPSC, IEBC, and 2017 NEC, with a posted 2026 code update notice.
- Permit validity
- Temporary certificates of occupancy require a TCO agreement and deposit; the public fee ordinance also references permit-related deposits and additional CO fees, but a general permit expiration rule was not clearly stated on the reviewed public-facing pages.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner permit and homeowner building permit forms are publicly posted; owner-builder handling appears form-based and should be verified against the current application packet before filing.
- Contractor requirements
- Permit pages route applicants to contractor-facing forms and trade applications; specific state/local license requirements depend on scope and trade. Confirm at filing for each permit type.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not published as a universal number on the main permit pages reviewed.
- 01 Confirm permit type from the Permit Center and download the correct application packet or use the online portal.
- 02 Assemble supporting documents listed for the permit type, including plans, site details, and trade information as applicable.
- 03 Submit residential material by email or in person as directed on the residential permit page, or submit commercial projects through the Cityworks portal/electronic plans process.
- 04 Staff reviews zoning, code, and plan items; corrections or additional documents may be requested before approval.
- 05 Pay permit fees and any related deposits or impact fees before permit issuance.
- 06 Receive the issued permit and approved documents, then call/request required inspections through the city process.
Typical processing time: Not published as a universal number on the main permit pages reviewed.
Source: City of Murfreesboro Planning Department, Building Codes Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Murfreesboro building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential new one- and two-family dwelling permits start at $500 for less than 1,000 square feet; residential additions/alterations/accessory structures have a $50 minimum.
02
Plan check fee
Commercial electronic plan review is handled through the city commercial/e-plans workflow; no single public summary line was found on the main pages reviewed.
03
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction uses square-foot tiers; residential additions/alterations/accessory structures use $8.00 per $1,000 valuation with $50 minimum; fences are a $75 flat fee; above-ground pools are $100 and in-ground/partially in-ground pools are $150; trade permits use separate base and itemized schedules.
Impact fees may apply at issuance for some projects; fees and deposits are due before issuance/final approvals.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- City inspection request pages/portals (city_portal)
- Inspection hours
- Building code questions are handled by inspectors in the office from about 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and again near 4:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Typical sequences include footing/foundation, slab, framing, rough trade inspections, insulation/energy items as applicable, and final inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Murfreesboro permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Murfreesboro, TN? ▸
Building permits are required as prescribed by the IRC/IBC for construction, alteration, repairs other than ordinary maintenance, fences, accessory buildings, pools, and applicable trade work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Murfreesboro, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Murfreesboro, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential new one- and two-family dwelling permits start at $500 for less than 1,000 square feet; residential additions/alterations/accessory structures have a $50 minimum.. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction uses square-foot tiers; residential additions/alterations/accessory structures use $8.00 per $1,000 valuation with $50 minimum; fences are a $75 flat fee; above-ground pools are $100 and in-ground/partially in-ground pools are $150; trade permits use separate base and itemized schedules.. Plan check fee: Commercial electronic plan review is handled through the city commercial/e-plans workflow; no single public summary line was found on the main pages reviewed..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Murfreesboro, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Murfreesboro, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm permit type from the Permit Center and download the correct application packet or use the online portal. 2. Assemble supporting documents listed for the permit type, including plans, site details, and trade information as applicable. 3. Submit residential material by email or in person as directed on the residential permit page, or submit commercial projects through the Cityworks portal/electronic plans process. 4. Staff reviews zoning, code, and plan items; corrections or additional documents may be requested before approval. 5. Pay permit fees and any related deposits or impact fees before permit issuance. 6. Receive the issued permit and approved documents, then call/request required inspections through the city process.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Murfreesboro, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Murfreesboro, TN typically run Not published as a universal number on the main permit pages reviewed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Murfreesboro, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Murfreesboro, TN. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary maintenance repairs to existing buildings and structures. Note: The city publishes specific FAQ and permit-information pages for exempt vs. non-exempt work, but the complete exempt-work text was not fully extractable from the reviewed public pages. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Murfreesboro, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Murfreesboro, TN via: City inspection request pages/portals.
last verified April 2026
source City of Murfreesboro Planning Department, Building Codes Division ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/rutherford/murfreesboro
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Murfreesboro Planning Department, Building Codes Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.