Berry Hill, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Berry Hill issues its own building permits and schedules structural inspections within city limits. Metro Nashville Fire Marshal approves plans before permit issuance and performs fire and life safety inspections. Metro Nashville Codes handles mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits after the Berry Hill permit is issued.

Department

Administrative Services Department

Address

Berry Hill City Hall, 698 Thompson Lane, Berry Hill, TN 37204

Phone

615-292-5531

Email

No public permit email listed on the building page

Website

https://www.berryhilltn.gov/59/Building-and-Development

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Download the Berry Hill building permit application and prepare complete plans.
2. Submit the application to Administrative Services with complete plans; the city states an application is not officially accepted unless accompanied by complete plans.
3. For projects at $25,000 or more, include the contract, the Tennessee State Contractor's License appropriate to the work and value, and workers compensation insurance documentation.
4. If the project is tenant improvements or tenant signage, include written consent of the property owner.
5. Obtain Metro Nashville Fire Marshal plan approval before Berry Hill can issue the building permit.
6. After Berry Hill issues the building permit, submit mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans to Metro Nashville Codes for those separate permits.
7. Complete Berry Hill structural inspections, Metro fire inspections, and Metro MEP inspections. No certificate of occupancy may issue until final acceptances are received for all ancillary permits and the Fire Marshal.

Typical processing time: No fixed turnaround posted.

Source: Administrative Services Department

General Requirements

Berry Hill's FAQ states that other than normal repairs and minor improvements not involving structural changes and costing less than $4,000, a building permit is required for alterations to the building or property. The building page also says permits are required before construction, modification, demolition, or erecting a sign or fence.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Complete plans
• Site plan, circulation, utility plans, drainage, landscaping, signage, parking, ingress and egress, and construction plans for commercial, industrial, and multifamily submittals
• Contractor license and workers compensation certificate or exemption affidavit
• Owner consent for tenant improvements or tenant signage

Permit validity

Berry Hill does not publish a simple permit-expiration note on its permit page. Because the city states it has adopted the 2018 IBC and 2018 IRC, a six-month inactivity rule may apply unless locally amended. Treat this as an inference and confirm with Administrative Services.

Building code

Berry Hill's building page says the city has adopted the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code. The FAQ page still references 2012 editions, so the dedicated building page appears to be the newer source.

Owner-builder

Not clearly stated in the public Berry Hill materials reviewed.

Contractor requirements

Contractors on projects with contract value of $25,000 or more must submit the contract, a valid Tennessee State Contractor's License appropriate to the value and work, and workers compensation insurance documentation.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

No fee for valuation of $1,000 and less unless inspection or plan review is required, in which case $75 for each inspection or plan review

Plan check fee

One-half of the calculated building permit fee, payable at plan submittal and nonrefundable; one- and two-family dwellings are exempt

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based building permit fees with a graduated schedule; the fee schedule also includes flat fees for moving, use and occupancy where no building permit was issued, and various planning and zoning applications

Reinspection fee

$75 per inspection in certain valuation bands

Penalty (no permit)

Doubled building and plan review fees if work starts before permit issuance

Payment note

Plan review fees are due at submittal and are nonrefundable even if the building permit is never issued.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Normal repairs
• Minor improvements not involving structural changes
• Work costing less than $4,000

Important: Work must remain within the city's normal-repairs and minor-improvements standard to qualify for exemption.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Administrative Services Department: 615-292-5531 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Berry Hill handles structural building inspections; Metro Nashville Fire Marshal handles fire and life safety inspections; Metro Nashville Codes handles mechanical, electrical, and plumbing inspections; final acceptances are required before certificate of occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Berry Hill's building page says the city has adopted the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code. The FAQ page still references 2012 editions, so the dedicated building page appears to be the newer source.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• FAQ
• Building and Development Resources
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

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