Nashville-Davidson Metropolitan Government, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Metro Codes is the primary building permit authority for Metro Nashville and unincorporated Davidson County. Some satellite cities keep their own building departments, but Metro still handles many trade permits and reviews.

Department

Department of Codes and Building Safety

Address

Metro Office Building, 800 President Ronald Reagan Way, 1st Floor, Nashville, TN 37210

Phone

615-862-6500

Email

permitissuance@nashville.gov , zoninghelpdesk@nashville.gov

Website

https://www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/construction-and-permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Submit permit documents to zoninghelpdesk@nashville.gov, or if you are a registered contractor, apply through ePermits.
2. Metro assigns the application to a Zoning Examiner.
3. Follow the permit checklist and obtain required signoffs from reviewing agencies such as Water, Stormwater, Health, Fire, Planning, Transportation, Historic, and others as assigned.
4. For most commercial permits, submit plans electronically through Metro's ePlans process after receiving a temporary permit application number.
5. Once all reviews are approved, contact permitissuance@nashville.gov to add the contractor, complete bond and license review, self-permit approval if applicable, and arrange payment.
6. Pay fees and receive the issued permit and inspection checklist.
7. Obtain separate electrical, plumbing, gas/mechanical, or low-voltage permits where applicable.
8. Complete inspections and then request the final use and occupancy letter.

Typical processing time: No fixed turnaround is published; Metro states each reviewing department has its own timeframe.

Source: Department of Codes and Building Safety

General Requirements

Metro publishes a detailed matrix of work that does and does not require permits. In general, permits are required for new construction, additions, many structural alterations, many system replacements, and trade work.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Plans and specifications as required
• Zoning checklist and agency signoffs
• Contractor bond
• Workers compensation proof or exemption
• Davidson County business license or exemption affidavit where applicable
• Tennessee state contractor or home improvement license where applicable

Permit validity

Metro publishes current activity-based permitting guidance but no simple public summary page for permit expiration. Building permit inactivity rules should be confirmed with permit issuance for the specific permit type.

Building code

Metro adopted the 2024 IBC, IRC, IEBC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, ISPSC, IECC, the 2023 NEC, and 2017 ICC A117.1, all with local amendments.

Owner-builder

Homeowners cannot create ePermits accounts. Metro's permitting process references self-permit approval through permit issuance, so owner-builders can work with the office directly rather than the contractor portal.

Contractor requirements

For permit issuance Metro requires a permit bond, workers compensation proof or exemption, and Tennessee contractor licensing based on project value and type. State home improvement or contractor licensing is required for residential work over $3,000 and state contractor licensing is required at $25,000 and above.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$40.39 for commercial and other non-IRC building permits valued at $2,000 or less; residential one-family, two-family, and townhouse building permits are $5.00 per $1,000 of valuation plus the separate zoning examination fee, codes tech fee, and any applicable plan review fee

Plan check fee

One-half of the building permit fee up to $275,000 valuation, then graduated above that; one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, demolition permits, and blasting permits are exempt from plan examination fees.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. Total building permit cost includes a $25 zoning examination fee, building valuation fee, a 10 percent codes tech fee on the building valuation fee, and building plan review fee where applicable.

Reinspection fee

$50 for building, plumbing, gas/mechanical, and electrical fee sections

Penalty (no permit)

Electrical work started before permit issuance is subject to triple permit fees.

Payment note

Metro states permit payment is arranged through permit issuance after all approvals are complete; ePermits also supports online payment for registered users.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences
• Pergolas
• Painting and wallpapering
• Minor brick repair and tuckpointing
• Paving driveways and sidewalks
• Floor laying and refinishing
• Furnace or condenser repair
• Temporary signs
• Door replacement when the door opening does not change
• Interior decorating
• Roofing repair (minor roofing work; roofing over more than one-third of the roof is not exempt)

Important: Full project-specific review should still be done against Metro's published matrix because the exemption list changes by project type and occupancy.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• ePermits portal (online)
• Building: 615-862-6550; Electrical: 615-862-6560; Plumbing: 615-862-6570; Gas/Mechanical: 615-862-6570; Fire Marshal: 615-862-5230 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Metro states the issued permit includes an inspection checklist. Typical sequence depends on scope, but the final building inspection should not occur until related trade permits are complete.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Metro adopted the 2024 IBC, IRC, IEBC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, ISPSC, IECC, the 2023 NEC, and 2017 ICC A117.1, all with local amendments.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Parcel Viewer
• Metro Codes Contact List
• Contractor Requirements
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Davidson County