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§ TN Williamson County
City building permits

City of Brentwood (Williamson portion)

How to apply for a building permit in City of Brentwood (Williamson portion), Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Brentwood Planning and Codes Department

Street address
5211 Maryland Way, Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone
615-371-2204; inspection request line 615-661-7077
Email
planning-codes@brentwoodtn.gov
Coverage
Research here is for the Brentwood territory located in Williamson County, not Davidson County areas outside the requested scope.
Online portal
Brentwood Onlama Portal
Onlama
Website
Department website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Brentwood (Williamson portion)

Brentwood requires permits for new homes, additions, remodels, basement build-outs, accessory structures, pools, decks, covered porches, garages, demolition, grading, moving structures, windows and doors, and commercial work subject to code review.

Permit exemptions under IRC Section R105
  • Exempt Permit exemptions under IRC Section R105

Note: Brentwood specifically states window replacement is not exempt. Because Brentwood has specific local interpretations, applicants should confirm claimed exemptions with Planning and Codes before proceeding.

Required documents
  • Portal submission
  • Supporting plans
  • Valuation backup when requested
  • Contractor licensing and insurance items
Building code
Brentwood Codes Section states residential IRC 2018, commercial IBC 2018, IMC 2018, IPC 2018, IFGC 2018, IPMC 2018, ISPSC 2018, IECC 2012, NEC 2017 by the State Fire Marshal, and NFPA 1 and NFPA 101 2018.
Permit validity
Not clearly posted on the main public pages reviewed.
Owner-builder
City guidance states owner-builders acting as general contractors are responsible for Tennessee licensing compliance and workers compensation exemption when applicable.
Contractor requirements
City guidance requires proper Tennessee contractor license, liability insurance, and where applicable workers compensation coverage or state exemption; business tax license may also be required.

Source: City of Brentwood Planning and Codes Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: No general posted turnaround found on the main permit page; public-facing details are thinner than Franklin and Nolensville.

  1. 01
    Register or log in at Brentwood's Onlama portal.
  2. 02
    Review the city Process and Procedure Manual and applicable codes guidance before submittal.
  3. 03
    Submit the permit request and upload supporting plans and documents through the portal.
  4. 04
    Staff reviews for zoning, codes, and related approvals; commercial sealed-plan work triggers plan review fees.
  5. 05
    Pay assessed permit and plan review fees.
  6. 06
    Permit is issued and inspections are scheduled through the city inspection request line.

Typical processing time: No general posted turnaround found on the main permit page; public-facing details are thinner than Franklin and Nolensville.

Source: City of Brentwood Planning and Codes Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Brentwood (Williamson portion) building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No fee at $2,000 and less unless inspection is required, in which case $25
02
Plan check fee
50 percent of building permit fee for commercial or service institution work when a sealed plan is required and valuation exceeds $1,000
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based BBPF table; new single-family construction valuation uses ICC table methodology with stated Brentwood square foot valuation assumptions
04
Reinspection fee
Starts at $50 and increases by $50 for each additional reinspection under the same permit
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work started without permit is charged at double fees with $100 minimum

Foundation permits, grading permits, demolition, and moving permits have separate flat fees stated in the ordinance

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • 615-661-7077 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Available anytime
Inspection hours
Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Typical sequence: Varies by permit type; city publishes residential inspection process pamphlets and final inspection checklists

Source: City of Brentwood Planning and Codes Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Brentwood (Williamson portion) permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN? ▸
Brentwood requires permits for new homes, additions, remodels, basement build-outs, accessory structures, pools, decks, covered porches, garages, demolition, grading, moving structures, windows and doors, and commercial work subject to code review.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is No fee at $2,000 and less unless inspection is required, in which case $25. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based BBPF table; new single-family construction valuation uses ICC table methodology with stated Brentwood square foot valuation assumptions. Plan check fee: 50 percent of building permit fee for commercial or service institution work when a sealed plan is required and valuation exceeds $1,000.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN, follow these steps: 1. Register or log in at Brentwood's Onlama portal. 2. Review the city Process and Procedure Manual and applicable codes guidance before submittal. 3. Submit the permit request and upload supporting plans and documents through the portal. 4. Staff reviews for zoning, codes, and related approvals; commercial sealed-plan work triggers plan review fees. 5. Pay assessed permit and plan review fees. 6. Permit is issued and inspections are scheduled through the city inspection request line.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN typically run No general posted turnaround found on the main permit page; public-facing details are thinner than Franklin and Nolensville.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN. The following work is generally exempt: Permit exemptions under IRC Section R105. Note: Brentwood specifically states window replacement is not exempt. Because Brentwood has specific local interpretations, applicants should confirm claimed exemptions with Planning and Codes before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Brentwood (Williamson portion), TN via: 615-661-7077. Available anytime.
last verified April 2026 source City of Brentwood Planning and Codes Department ↗ entry id permits/tennessee/williamson/brentwood
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Brentwood Planning and Codes Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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