Building permits in Nashville — Tennessee's capital and largest city — are issued by the Metro Department of Codes and Building Safety, which administers permitting for the entire consolidated Nashville–Davidson County Metro government. Nashville adopted the 2024 International Codes (IBC, IRC, IFC, IMC, IPC, IECC) effective July 16, 2025.
This Nashville building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how the Metro Codes process works, the ePermits and ePlans portals, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Nashville project starts clean.
Nashville and Davidson County share a consolidated Metro government. The Metro Codes Department handles all building permits within Nashville–Davidson County — there is no separate county permitting office. The consolidation has been in effect since 1963.
What requires a building permit in Nashville?
Under the 2024 International Codes as adopted by Metro Nashville (BL2025-898, effective July 16, 2025), a permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of most structures and systems. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, doors, and exterior changes
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, pools, fences over 7 ft, accessory structures
- Change of occupancy or use
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- One-story detached accessory structure ≤ 200 sq ft
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft (not supporting a surcharge)
- Replacement of existing fixtures by a licensed contractor
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 Nashville?
Permitting, plan review, and inspections run through the Metro Department of Codes and Building Safety. The department operates both the ePermits system (for permit applications, payments, and inspection scheduling) and the newer ePlans system (GeoCivix, launched September 2025) for electronic plan submission and concurrent review by all departments.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Metro Codes & Building Safety — Howard Office Building, 700 2nd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210 |
| Phone | (615) 862-6590 |
| Online portals | ePermits (applications, payments, inspections) + ePlans (GeoCivix electronic plan review) |
| Covers | All Nashville–Davidson County (consolidated Metro) |
| Code cycle | 2024 I-Codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFC, IECC) — effective July 16, 2025 |
| Inspections | Schedule via ePermits; standard residential review targets 5 business days |
Two online systems — ePermits for applications, ePlans for plan review. Apply for your building permit through ePermits (registered contractors). Then submit construction plans through ePlans (GeoCivix) for concurrent multi-department review. Both systems are accessed through nashville.gov/codes.
Nashville building permit cost
Nashville building permit fees are valuation-based. Residential building permit fees are calculated at $5.00 per $1,000 of project valuation. Commercial permit fees use a combination of square footage, occupancy class, and valuation. Plan review fees are 65% of the permit fee. Separate trade permits carry their own fees.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | $5.00 per $1,000 of project valuation |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based (see Metro fee schedule) |
| Plan review fee | 65% of the building permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M / Gas) | Separate fee per trade |
| Codes Tech Fee | 10% of permit fee |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Nashville project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Nashville trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical (HVAC), and gas permits are filed separately through Metro Codes. 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 (CE classification).
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heaters, fixture relocations, 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 over 7 feet, signs, and accessory structures are permitted separately. Demolition permits, grading permits, and right-of-way permits follow additional review tracks.
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 Nashville
Register in ePermits & confirm zoning
Register as a contractor in the ePermits system. Confirm zoning compliance — Nashville has ~240,000 parcels, each zoned for specific uses.
Submit permit application
Complete the application in ePermits; residential applicants may email zoninghelpdesk@nashville.gov. Commercial projects apply online.
Upload plans to ePlans
Submit sealed plans through ePlans (GeoCivix) for concurrent multi-department electronic review.
Plan review & corrections
Metro Codes reviews against adopted 2024 I-Codes and local amendments. Standard residential review targets 5 business days; commercial varies by scope. Correction cycles add 7–15 business days each.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Once approved, fees are calculated and the permit is issued upon payment. Post the permit card on site.
Schedule inspections through CO
Schedule inspections via ePermits. Must book within 6 months of issuance; 2 years to complete. Clear all checkpoints for your Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Nashville
Schedule inspections through the ePermits portal. Nashville's inspection division enforces Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Model Energy, and Gas/Mechanical Codes. Typical checkpoints include footing/foundation, rough-in MEP, framing, insulation, and final. A permit must be inspected within 6 months of issuance, with 2 years to complete the work — extensions may be granted before expiration.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Nashville permitting resources
- 🏛️ Metro Codes & Building Safety
- 📋 Construction & Permits — applications & forms
- 💻 ePlans electronic plan review
- 🪪 TN Board for Licensing Contractors
- 📘 TN State Fire Marshal — codes
- 🗺️ Building permit process overview
Simplify Nashville permitting with Alliance Permitting
Nashville's consolidated Metro government, concurrent ePlans review, and valuation-based fee structure reward applicants who assemble complete packages and navigate the ePermits + ePlans dual-portal system correctly. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Nashville — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Metro Codes & Building Safety process, so your Nashville submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Nashville because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Metro Codes & Building Safety, the ePermits and ePlans portals, and the 2024 I-Code adoption nuances.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
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.
Ready to break ground in Nashville sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Nashville–Davidson County permits while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
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 Metro Department of Codes and Building Safety before filing. This is not legal advice.