Maury County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

County FAQ states this office inspects property in unincorporated Maury County and does not include the City of Columbia, Mt. Pleasant, or Spring Hill.

Department

Maury County Building and Zoning Office

Address

Walter Harlan Building, 5 Public Square, First Floor, Columbia, TN 38401

Phone

931-375-3002

Email

MUnderhill@maurycounty-tn.gov

Website

https://maurycounty-tn.gov/473/Building-Zoning-Office

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Maury County and not inside Columbia, Mount Pleasant, or Spring Hill.
2. Assemble the residential permit package: septic permit or recertification from TDEC, proof of water tap or water source, driveway approval from Maury County Highway Department (county roads) or TDOT (state roads), building plans and specifications, plot plan showing distances from property lines, and copy of deed if acting as owner-contractor.
3. Obtain additional information as required: address assignment from E911, flood hazard information, geotechnical report, State Fire Marshal approvals, or commercial site details.
4. Submit the building permit application to Building and Zoning Office. All residential plans can be emailed to MUnderhill@maurycounty-tn.gov.
5. Provide proof of contractor licensing and county business license for contractors and plumbers when applicable, then pay building permit fee and new development tax with separate checks.
6. Post the permit at job site and keep approved plans on site with job box and required site facilities.
7. Schedule inspections by phone at least 24 hours in advance and complete full county inspection sequence before certificate of occupancy.

Typical processing time: Not posted on reviewed county page or application packet.

Source: Maury County Building and Zoning Office

General Requirements

County materials state the office issues permits and inspects new construction in unincorporated Maury County. Permit application covers residential homes, additions, mobile homes, non-residential structures, moving structures, and associated plumbing and mechanical work.

Required Documents

• Septic permit or recertification
• Proof of water tap or water source
• Driveway approval on county or state roads
• Plans and specifications
• Plot plan showing property line distances
• Copy of deed when acting as owner-contractor
• Contractor state license and Maury County business license
• Plumber state license and county business license
• E911 address assignment
• Floodplain, geotechnical, State Fire Marshal, or planning commission information required by project scope

Permit validity

No public county page reviewed stated permit expiration period.

Building code

County adopted 2018 International Codes per resolution on Building and Zoning page. Permit application fee notes state moving and compliance work based on 2018 building and commercial codes.

Owner-builder

Application requires copy of deed if acting as owner-contractor.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must show proof of valid Tennessee State Contractor's License and Maury County business license. Plumbers must show proof of valid Tennessee State Plumbing License and Maury County business license. Applicants directed to Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance for electrical permits.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

No fee for valuation of $1,000 and less unless inspection required, in which case $25 per inspection

Plan check fee

No separate plan check fee published in reviewed application packet.

Permit fee formula

Single-family home construction and additions: $0.60 per square foot for everything under roof including porches and decks. Non-residential structures: $80 per square foot then run through valuation fee table. Permit fee tiers start at $25 for first $1,000 plus $7 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000, then reduce in later tiers. Permit fee includes building, plumbing, mechanical.

Reinspection fee

Beginning with 8th inspection, reinspection fees apply after turn down. 9th inspection: $25; 10th: $50; each after 10th: $100.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started before permit issuance results in doubled fees. Moving fee: $100 plus underlying building permit fee.

Payment note

Building permit fee and new development tax must be paid with separate checks. Office accepts cash, credit card, or check. Credit card carries 2.5% convenience fee collected by third-party processor.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective April 15, 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Maury County Building and Zoning Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 931-375-3002 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

At least 24 hours advance notice required

Inspection hours

7:00 AM to 4:00 PM with daily lunch closure 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Footing; foundation; dry-in or framing; plumbing; mechanical; energy; final; blower door test submission before certificate of occupancy

Additional Resources

• Building code: County adopted 2018 International Codes per resolution on Building and Zoning page. Permit application fee notes state moving and compliance work based on 2018 building and commercial codes.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County Parcel Map
• Agricultural Exemption Form
• Highway Department
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub