Building permits in unincorporated Montgomery County — the fast-growing Fort Campbell region surrounding Clarksville — are issued by the Montgomery County Building and Codes Department. The department handles building permits, plumbing permits, codes enforcement, and stormwater management for areas outside the City of Clarksville corporate limits.
This Montgomery County building permit guide covers what requires a permit in unincorporated areas, how Building and Codes works, fees, stormwater requirements, and inspections.
Montgomery County issues permits outside Clarksville city limits only. The City of Clarksville handles its own permitting through its Building & Codes Department and Self Service Portal. Confirm your parcel is in the unincorporated county before applying at the Montgomery County office.
What requires a building permit in Montgomery County?
Under the International Codes as adopted by Montgomery County, a permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of most structures. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, doors, and exterior changes
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Decks, pools, fences, accessory structures
- Change of occupancy or use
- Pre-manufactured home placement
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- One-story detached accessory structure ≤ 200 sq ft
- Replacement of existing fixtures (like-for-like swaps)
- Minor repairs not affecting structural or safety systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Note that exemption from a building permit does not exempt a project from zoning requirements — confirm edge cases with the building department.
Who handles permitting in Montgomery County?
Permitting, plan review, and inspections run through the Montgomery County Building and Codes Department.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building and Codes Department — 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 309, Clarksville, TN 37040 |
| Phone | (931) 648-5718 |
| Apply | In-Person / Department |
| Covers | Unincorporated Montgomery County only |
| Code cycle | Locally adopted I-Codes |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (call to confirm) |
Contact the Building and Codes Department to apply. Submit your building permit application with construction plans and required documentation. Call (931) 648-5718 for current forms and requirements.
Montgomery County building permit cost
Montgomery County building permit fees are set by the county fee schedule and based on project type and valuation. Separate trade permit fees apply. Confirm current amounts with the Building and Codes Department.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Per county fee schedule (type & valuation) |
| Plan review fee | Included in or separate from permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M / Gas) | Separate fee per trade |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Required before legal occupancy |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties + enforcement action |
Want a precise number for a specific Montgomery County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Montgomery County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits are filed separately. Each requires a Tennessee-licensed trade contractor.
Electrical permits
Required for service upgrades, panel work, solar PV, and most wiring — performed by a TN-licensed electrical contractor.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heaters, and gas piping — performed by a TN-licensed plumber.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration — performed by a TN-licensed mechanical contractor.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, decks, pools, fences, accessory structures, and demolition are permitted separately.
Verify your contractor's license. Tennessee requires a state contractor license issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (under the Department of Commerce & Insurance / TDCI) for projects valued at $25,000 or more. Separate trade licenses are required for electrical (CE), plumbing, and HVAC/mechanical work. Homeowners may pull their own permit for personal-use construction once every 24 months under TCA § 62-6-103 — but the project must still meet all code and inspection requirements. Verify licensure at tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.
How to get a building permit in Montgomery County
Confirm jurisdiction & zoning
Verify the parcel is in unincorporated Montgomery County (not within a municipality). Confirm zoning compliance.
Prepare application & plans
Complete the building permit application with construction plans, site plan, and required documentation.
Submit to Building and Codes Department
Deliver the application as directed — in person or through the county portal.
Plan review & corrections
Building and Codes Department reviews against adopted codes. Address comments and resubmit as needed.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay calculated fees. Post the permit card on site.
Schedule inspections through CO
Request inspections through the department. Clear all checkpoints for your Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Montgomery County
Schedule inspections through the Building and Codes Department. Typical checkpoints include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit and approved plans on site. A final inspection and CO are required before occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Montgomery County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Montgomery County Building and Codes Department
- 🪪 TN Board for Licensing Contractors
- 📘 TN State Fire Marshal
- 🔥 TN Dept. of Commerce & Insurance
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Montgomery County's permitting process rewards applicants who confirm jurisdiction, assemble complete packages, and submit correctly from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Montgomery County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Building and Codes Department process, so your Montgomery County submissions move faster.
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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More Tennessee permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Montgomery County Building and Codes Department before filing. This is not legal advice.