City Building Permits

Murfreesboro, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Tennessee Rutherford County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Covers building permits inside the City of Murfreesboro; unincorporated areas are handled by Rutherford County.

Department
City of Murfreesboro Planning Department, Building Codes Division
Address
Murfreesboro City Hall, 111 West Vine Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Phone
615-893-6441
Website
https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/101/Building-Codes

Online Permit Portal

Open Cityworks Project Portal

Platform: Cityworks Project Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Confirm permit type from the Permit Center and download the correct application packet or use the online portal.
  2. Assemble supporting documents listed for the permit type, including plans, site details, and trade information as applicable.
  3. Submit residential material by email or in person as directed on the residential permit page, or submit commercial projects through the Cityworks portal/electronic plans process.
  4. Staff reviews zoning, code, and plan items; corrections or additional documents may be requested before approval.
  5. Pay permit fees and any related deposits or impact fees before permit issuance.
  6. Receive the issued permit and approved documents, then call/request required inspections through the city process.

Typical processing time: Not published as a universal number on the main permit pages reviewed.

Source: City of Murfreesboro Planning Department, Building Codes Division

General Requirements

Building permits are required as prescribed by the IRC/IBC for construction, alteration, repairs other than ordinary maintenance, fences, accessory buildings, pools, and applicable trade work.

Required Documents

  • Application form
  • Plans for the specific permit type
  • Site plan where required
  • Trade applications
  • Energy/testing forms for applicable residential work
  • Commercial electronic plan sets
Permit validity
Temporary certificates of occupancy require a TCO agreement and deposit; the public fee ordinance also references permit-related deposits and additional CO fees, but a general permit expiration rule was not clearly stated on the reviewed public-facing pages.
Building code
2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IPMC, IFC, IECC, ISPSC, IEBC, and 2017 NEC, with a posted 2026 code update notice.
Owner-builder
Homeowner permit and homeowner building permit forms are publicly posted; owner-builder handling appears form-based and should be verified against the current application packet before filing.
Contractor requirements
Permit pages route applicants to contractor-facing forms and trade applications; specific state/local license requirements depend on scope and trade. Confirm at filing for each permit type.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Residential new one- and two-family dwelling permits start at $500 for less than 1,000 square feet; residential additions/alterations/accessory structures have a $50 minimum.
Plan check fee
Commercial electronic plan review is handled through the city commercial/e-plans workflow; no single public summary line was found on the main pages reviewed.
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction uses square-foot tiers; residential additions/alterations/accessory structures use $8.00 per $1,000 valuation with $50 minimum; fences are a $75 flat fee; above-ground pools are $100 and in-ground/partially in-ground pools are $150; trade permits use separate base and itemized schedules.
Payment note
Impact fees may apply at issuance for some projects; fees and deposits are due before issuance/final approvals.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Murfreesboro Planning Department, Building Codes Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • City inspection request pages/portals (city_portal)
Inspection hours
Building code questions are handled by inspectors in the office from about 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and again near 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequences include footing/foundation, slab, framing, rough trade inspections, insulation/energy items as applicable, and final inspection.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Murfreesboro Planning Department, Building Codes Division before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Murfreesboro can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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