Lebanon, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City department issues building permits and inspections for property within the corporate boundaries of Lebanon. Wilson County still collects Wilson County adequate facilities taxes referenced in the city residential process.

Department

City of Lebanon Building Inspection Department

Address

200 N Castle Heights Avenue, Lebanon, TN 37087

Phone

615-444-3647

Email

buildinginspection@lebanontn.org

Website

https://www.lebanontn.org/149/Building-Inspection

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Optional pre-application meeting: call 615-444-3647 at least 24 hours in advance; Thursday morning slots are typically available.
2. Obtain plot plan or critical lot plan approval first. Residential permits submitted on or after March 1, 2024 require an approved plot plan or critical lot plan, submitted through the city portal workflow.
3. Complete building permit package with plans, permit application, payment for all fees, approved plot plan or critical lot plan, approved driveway and stormwater inspection, complete new utility service application, Tennessee contractor license, certificate of insurance to the City of Lebanon, Wilson County adequate facilities tax receipt, and energy affidavit.
4. Submit building plan review digitally on GeoCivix; the city states building plan reviews must be digitally submitted on the GeoCivix portal.
5. Complete required construction inspections. The city lists setbacks, footing, piers, in-slab, slab, framing, rough-in, mechanical, sewer, water, weatherproofing, and final inspections.
6. Request building inspections by email to buildinginspection@lebanontn.org with permit number, address, and contact information.
7. Receive Certificate of Occupancy after Building Inspections, Planning, Engineering, and Utilities approve the completed work.

Typical processing time: Plot plan and critical lot plan approvals are stated as within 5 business days per review cycle; no general building permit issuance time was publicly posted.

Source: City of Lebanon Building Inspection Department

General Requirements

The department issues permits for residential and commercial construction within city limits. Residential development materials require permit application, approved plot plan or critical lot plan, approved driveway and stormwater inspection, utility application, and supporting contractor and insurance documents before permit issuance.

Required Documents

• Plans
• Complete building permit application
• Payment of all fees
• Plot plan or critical lot plan approval letter
• Approved plot or critical lot plan
• Approved driveway and stormwater inspection
• Complete new utility service application
• Tennessee contractor license
• Certificate of insurance naming City of Lebanon
• Wilson County adequate facilities tax receipt
• Energy affidavit
• For commercial: design professional stamping

Permit validity

All building permits expire in 180 days. The Chief Building Official or authorized representative may grant one 180-day extension from issuance; further extensions require City Council approval.

Building code

Current posted codes include 2021 IBC and appendices, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IFC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IECC for residential and commercial, 2017 ICC A117, and 2018 IRC with appendices.

Owner-builder

Public-facing city pages do not clearly publish a separate owner-builder rule set. Materials focus on contractor license and certificate of insurance when a contractor is used.

Contractor requirements

Residential development checklist requires State of Tennessee contractor license and certificate of insurance made to the City of Lebanon. Commercial plan sheets requiring design professional stamping must comply with state law.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 for accessory, fence, pool, demolition, moving, and plumbing permits; $25 for electrical service release

Plan check fee

Commercial and industrial building plan review fee is one-half of building permit cost.

Permit fee formula

Residential new construction is $0.80 per square foot including heated space, basements, garages, unfinished bonus rooms, modulars, double wides, and relocated houses. Residential remodel is $0.40 per square foot. Accessory structures are $50 up to 1,000 square feet and $75 for 1,001 square feet or more. Commercial and industrial new construction is square-foot based by tier.

Reinspection fee

$100 per reinspection

Penalty (no permit)

$50 administrative refund fee

Payment note

City states it does not accept credit card payments. Residential development process says payment for all fees is due with permit application, and GeoCivix calculates fees once a project is fully submitted.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

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

Inspections

How to Schedule

• buildinginspection@lebanontn.org (email)

Inspection hours

Pre-application meetings typically Thursday mornings 9:00 AM to noon

Time windows

Building department public page does not post inspection hours

Typical inspection sequence: Setbacks, continuous footing, piers, in-slab, slab, framing, rough-in, mechanical, weatherproofing, sewer, water, final.

Failure to keep approved plans on site can result in a failed inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Current posted codes include 2021 IBC and appendices, 2021 IMC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IFC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IECC for residential and commercial, 2017 ICC A117, and 2018 IRC with appendices.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Residential Development Process
• Guidelines
• Development Fee Calculator
• All Submittals for Planning
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

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