Portland, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers permits within Portland city limits.

Department

City of Portland Building Codes Department

Address

100 S Russell Street, Portland, TN 37148

Phone

615-325-6776

Website

https://www.cityofportlandtn.gov/157/Building-Codes

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create a GovWell account using email and mobile phone verification.
2. Log into the GovWell portal and start a new application.
3. Choose the permit type and enter project details.
4. Upload required documents in PDF, JPEG, PNG, or JPG format.
5. Submit the application and wait for confirmation by portal and email.
6. Track status in the My Projects dashboard and respond to correction requests by uploading additional documents.
7. Download the issued permit from the portal and proceed to inspections.

Typical processing time: No general processing time estimate was publicly posted on the reviewed pages.

Source: City of Portland Building Codes Department

General Requirements

Portland states it issues permits for new construction, remodels, demolition, swimming pools, plumbing, mechanical, fire protection, moving, fireworks stands, and use and occupancy permits.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Project details entered in GovWell
• Uploaded plans and supporting documents
• Project-type-specific forms from the Building Permit Applications page

Permit validity

Not clearly posted on the reviewed pages.

Building code

Portland states it uses the 2018 International Codes.

Owner-builder

Not clearly posted on the reviewed pages.

Contractor requirements

Not clearly consolidated on the reviewed pages; applicants should verify contractor registration and state licensing requirements directly with the department.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential building $50; commercial or industrial building $100; residential plumbing $50; commercial or industrial plumbing $100; residential mechanical $50; commercial or industrial mechanical $100; fire protection $100

Plan check fee

Not separately summarized in accessible plain text on the reviewed fee page.

Permit fee formula

Portland posts separate schedules by permit type, with building, plumbing, and mechanical fees based on valuation or square footage, plus flat fees for some accessory work and permit categories.

Reinspection fee

$75 residential reinspection fee and $100 commercial or industrial reinspection fee after one included reinspection; work started before permit issuance incurs double permit fees unless approved as an emergency.

Payment note

All permits incur a $15 administrative fee. The reviewed public pages do not clearly summarize payment methods beyond the portal rollout.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Portland Building Codes Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Inspection Hotline 615-805-3080 (phone)
• IDT Plans inspection request link (online)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections must be called in before 3:00 PM to be on the next-day schedule. Calls after 3:00 PM are scheduled two business days out.

Inspection hours

Department office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: Portland describes a standard process of plan review, permit issuance, and inspections, but does not publish a single consolidated inspection sequence on the main public page reviewed.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Portland states it uses the 2018 International Codes.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Permit Guidelines
• International Code Council (ICC) Code Reference
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Sumner County