City of Lebanon

The department issues permits for residential and commercial construction within city limits. Residential development materials require permit application, approved plot plan or critical lot plan, approved driveway and stormwater inspection, utility application, and supporting contractor and insurance documents before permit issuance.

Note: Lebanon's public building pages do not publish a clear local exemption list for work that does not require a permit. Verify directly with Building Inspection before relying on standard code exemptions, because the city fee schedule affirmatively lists permits for fences, pools, demolition, and other common improvement types.

Building code

Current posted codes include 2021 IBC and appendices, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IFC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IECC for residential and commercial, 2017 ICC A117, and 2018 IRC with appendices.

Permit validity

All building permits expire in 180 days. The Chief Building Official or authorized representative may grant one 180-day extension from issuance; further extensions require City Council approval.

Owner-builder

Public-facing city pages do not clearly publish a separate owner-builder rule set. Materials focus on contractor license and certificate of insurance when a contractor is used.

Contractor requirements

Residential development checklist requires State of Tennessee contractor license and certificate of insurance made to the City of Lebanon. Commercial plan sheets requiring design professional stamping must comply with state law.

Source: City of Lebanon Building Inspection Department ↗

1. 01
   Optional pre-application meeting: call 615-444-3647 at least 24 hours in advance; Thursday morning slots are typically available.
2. 02
   Obtain plot plan or critical lot plan approval first. Residential permits submitted on or after March 1, 2024 require an approved plot plan or critical lot plan, submitted through the city portal workflow.
3. 03
   Complete building permit package with plans, permit application, payment for all fees, approved plot plan or critical lot plan, approved driveway and stormwater inspection, complete new utility service application, Tennessee contractor license, certificate of insurance to the City of Lebanon, Wilson County adequate facilities tax receipt, and energy affidavit.
4. 04
   Submit building plan review digitally on GeoCivix; the city states building plan reviews must be digitally submitted on the GeoCivix portal.
5. 05
   Complete required construction inspections. The city lists setbacks, footing, piers, in-slab, slab, framing, rough-in, mechanical, sewer, water, weatherproofing, and final inspections.
6. 06
   Request building inspections by email to buildinginspection@lebanontn.org with permit number, address, and contact information.
7. 07
   Receive Certificate of Occupancy after Building Inspections, Planning, Engineering, and Utilities approve the completed work.

Typical processing time: Plot plan and critical lot plan approvals are stated as within 5 business days per review cycle; no general building permit issuance time was publicly posted.

Source: City of Lebanon Building Inspection Department ↗

City states it does not accept credit card payments. Residential development process says payment for all fees is due with permit application, and GeoCivix calculates fees once a project is fully submitted.

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

• buildinginspection@lebanontn.org (email)

Inspection hours

Pre-application meetings typically Thursday mornings 9:00 AM to noon

Time windows

Building department public page does not post inspection hours

Typical sequence: Setbacks, continuous footing, piers, in-slab, slab, framing, rough-in, mechanical, weatherproofing, sewer, water, final.

Failure to keep approved plans on site can result in a failed inspection.

Source: City of Lebanon Building Inspection Department ↗