Columbia, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Columbia Development Services administers permits and inspections inside Columbia city limits. Maury County Building and Zoning states unincorporated county service does not include Columbia.

Department

City of Columbia Development Services, Building Codes

Address

700 North Garden Street, Columbia, TN 38401

Phone

931-560-1560

Email

tneas@columbiatn.gov

Website

https://www.columbiatn.gov/222/Building-Codes

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine permit type from the Building Codes page and gather the city building permit application plus any project-specific checklist (New Residential Construction Checklist, Critical Lot Checklist, pool documents, homeowner affidavit).
2. For residential new construction, assemble the completed permit application, Maury County adequate facilities tax receipt, plot plan, construction plans, flood hazard information if applicable, and completed Planning and Zoning checklist.
3. Register contractors and upload required supporting documents through the online permitting portal. All contractors shall register and provide required documents through the portal.
4. Submit the application through the online permitting portal. Applications may also be made in person at City Hall, but a manual processing fee will be added.
5. Development Services reviews zoning and code compliance; additional information may be requested before acceptance or issuance.
6. Pay permit, zoning compliance, technology, and any applicable plan review fees. Maury County adequate facilities tax is paid separately to Maury County Building and Zoning.
7. After issuance, complete required inspections and obtain utility and occupancy approvals as applicable.

Typical processing time: Not posted on the public Building Codes page.

Source: City of Columbia Development Services, Building Codes

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction, additions, alteration or repair, demolition, pools, accessory structures, duplexes, townhouses, mobile homes, and commercial occupancies.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• Contractor license if project valuation exceeds $25,000
• Certificate of workers compensation insurance with City of Columbia as certificate holder
• Residential plot plan
• Construction plans
• Adequate facilities tax receipt
• Flood hazard information if applicable
• Completed Planning and Zoning checklist
• Project-specific forms (pool questionnaires, homeowner affidavit)

Permit validity

Permit becomes null and void if authorized work is not commenced within 6 months, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement.

Building code

Effective January 1, 2026 under Ordinance 4566: 2024 IBC, IECC, IEBC, IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IRC, and 2017 ICC A117.1. The 2018 code set remained effective through December 31, 2025.

Owner-builder

Homeowner may obtain permit for single-family residence the owner resides in or intends to reside in. Unlicensed individual may build for individual's own use and not for resale, rent, or lease once every 2 years. Homeowner acts as general contractor and remains responsible for code compliance. Plumbing or mechanical work requires separate permits.

Contractor requirements

State of Tennessee contractor license required when project valuation exceeds $25,000, plus workers compensation insurance listing the city as certificate holder.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25 minimum for non-single-family building permits; $25 for accessory buildings less than 200 sq ft; $50 above-ground pool fee; $50 residential demolition fee

Plan check fee

Residential plan checking: 25% of building permit fee when valuation exceeds $1,000 and plans required. Non-single-family plan checking: 50% of building permit fee when valuation exceeds $1,000 and plans required.

Permit fee formula

Single-family detached homes and additions: $0.60 per square foot under roof (includes plumbing, gas, mechanical). Other building permits use valuation table starting at $25 for $1,000 and less, escalating by valuation tier.

Reinspection fee

$50, must be paid before reinspection

Penalty (no permit)

Work started before permit issuance results in doubled fees

Payment note

Maury County adequate facilities privilege tax paid separately to Maury County Building and Zoning. Sewer permits and fees administered by Wastewater Department; water and electrical service by Columbia Power and Water.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Columbia Development Services, Building Codes to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Onlama portal (online)

Time windows

Not publicly posted

Typical inspection sequence: Not published in one consolidated city checklist; typical residential projects involve footing/foundation, framing, rough trade, and final approvals, but applicants should verify required inspections for specific permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Effective January 1, 2026 under Ordinance 4566: 2024 IBC, IECC, IEBC, IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IRC, and 2017 ICC A117.1. The 2018 code set remained effective through December 31, 2025.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• New Residential Construction Checklist
• Homeowner Building Permit Affidavit
• Engineering Fees
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Maury County