Nashville building permits
Building permits in Nashville are issued by the Department of Codes and Building Safety1. You can apply and request inspections online through epermits.nashville.gov2.
On this page
Building department contacts
Department of Codes and Building Safety1
Building permits
- Website
- nashville.gov2
- Apply online
- epermits.nashville.gov2
- Phone
- (615) 862-65003
- [email protected]4
- Address
- Metro Office Building, 800 President Ronald Reagan Way, 1st Floor, Codes Department, Nashville, TN 372103
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday closed3
- Inspections
- EPermits (registered licensed contractors) or by phone, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri; Building Inspections 615-862-65505
Zoning Division / Zoning Help Desk (Metro Codes)6
Zoning and planning
- Phone
- (615) 862-65106
- [email protected]7
Historic Zoning Division of the Planning Department7
Historic preservation
- Phone
- (615) 880-49007
- [email protected]7
Metro Public Health Department (Septic)7
Health department
- Phone
- (615) 340-56307
- [email protected]7
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: maps.nashville.gov8.
Building codes in force in Nashville
These are the model codes Nashville enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Tennessee building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2024 Edition of the International Building Code, including Appendices C & D9 | 20249 | 10 |
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2024 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, with Appendices BA, BD, BE, BF and CD9 | 20249 | 10 |
| Energy code, residential | 2024 Edition of the International Energy Conservation Code, as amended (amended to meet and not exceed the 2018 IECC as adopted by Tennessee)9 | 20249 | 10 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2024 Edition of the International Plumbing Code, as amended, with Appendices B, C, D, E and F9 | 20249 | 10 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | 2024 Edition of the International Fuel Gas Code, Appendices A, B, C & D9 | 20249 | 10 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2024 Edition of the International Mechanical Code, Appendix A9 | 20249 | 10 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code, Article 90 through Chapter 99 | 20239 | 10 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2024 International Existing Building Code3 | 20243 | 10 |
| Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) | 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code3 | 20243 | 10 |
Adopted by: Ordinance BL2025-898 (Metropolitan Council)3.
Transition rules. 18010.
Nashville building permit fees
Fees come from the Codes Fee Schedule (Metro Code 16.28.110, 16.12.220, 16.16.400, 16.20.250)11, effective 9.
How valuation is set. New residential: valuation figures; residential remodeling and commercial: actual value of improvements1.
Each line is worded as in Nashville’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Examination Fee | Flat fee | Zoning Examination Fee of $2511 |
| Building Permit Fees for Residential Construction (one- and two-family, townhouses) | Based on project valuation | 1. Building Permit Fees for Residential Construction based on valuation. Residential construction includes one-family and two-family residential construction and townhouses as defined by the 2018 Edition of the International Residential Code, but not multi-family construction shall be $5.00 per $1,000 total valuation.11 |
| Codes Tech Fee | Technology surcharge | Codes Tech Fee: 10% of the Building Valuation Fee11 |
| Building permit fees, commercial and all other construction ($0.00 to $2,000.00) | Based on project valuation | $0.00 to $2,000.00 $40.3911 |
| Building permit fees, commercial and all other construction ($2000.01 to $50,000.00) | Based on project valuation | $2000.01 to $50,000.00 $40.39 for the first $2,000.00 plus $6.92 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.00.11 |
| Building permit fees, commercial and all other construction ($50,000.01 to $100,000.00) | Based on project valuation | $50,000.01 to $100,000.00 $372.71for the first $50,000.00 plus $5.57 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00.11 |
| Building permit fees, commercial and all other construction ($100,000.01 to $500,000.00) | Based on project valuation | $100,000.01 to $500,000.00 $651.38 for the first $100,000.00 plus $4.19 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.00.11 |
| Building permit fees, commercial and all other construction ($500,000.01 and up) | Based on project valuation | $500,000.01 and up $2,326.84 for the first $500,000.00 plus $2.79 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof.11 |
| Plans examination fee: exceptions (one- and two-family dwellings) | Plan review | 2. Exceptions from plans examination fee: a. One- and two-family dwelling building permits;11 |
| Re-inspection Fee (building) | Re-inspection | F. Re-inspection Fee. For a re-inspection, the fee shall be fifty dollars ($50.00).11 |
| Use and occupancy permit / certificate of compliance where no building permit issued | Flat fee | E. Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance. For the issuance of a use and occupancy permit or certificate of compliance where there has been no building permit issued, the fee shall be fifty-five dollars ($55.00).11 |
| Plumbing permit minimum fee | Minimum fee | Minimum fee (each permit) ... $75.0011 |
| Plumbing: each fixture | Per fixture or item | *Plumbing fixtures (each fixture) ... $11.0011 |
| Plumbing: hot water heater | Flat fee | Hot water heater ... $43.0011 |
| Gas/mechanical: hot water heater | Flat fee | Hot water heater ... $21.0011 |
| Gas/mechanical permit minimum fee | Minimum fee | B. Permit fees for the installation of gas/mechanical systems, devices, equipment and fixtures, including but not limited to the installation of fixtures, repairs and alterations to existing gas/mechanical installations and systems, shall be as follows: 1. Fee schedule. Minimum fee (each permit) ... $75.0011 |
| Gas/mechanical: HVAC by capacity | Per fixture or item | 2. In addition, fees for heating, ventilating, ductwork (installation without heating/cooling equipment), air-conditioning and refrigeration systems or alterations or replacement and/or additions shall also be based upon total Btuh and/or kilowatts input of all appliances at the rate of thirty-two dollars ($32.00) per one hundred thousand Btuh or fraction thereof.11 |
| Electrical: water heaters, residential | Flat fee | 4. Water heaters: Residential, each ... $15.0011 |
| Electrical permit minimum fee | Minimum fee | 11. Minimum fee (each permit) ... $75.0011 |
| Electrical: distribution/lighting/switch panels 200 amperes or less | Flat fee | 10. Distribution, lighting or switch panels: 200 amperes or less, each ... $10.0011 |
| Reinspection fee (plumbing, gas/mechanical, electrical) | Re-inspection | Reinspection fee (each) ... $50.0011 |
How to get a building permit in Nashville
- Apply through the Zoning Help Desk or E-permits with site plans, elevations, building plans13
- Zoning Examiner reviews; temporary application number issued13
- Review by multiple Metro departments; all approvals required13
- Licensing/self-permit verified, pay fees, then trade permits13
- Inspections throughout project, requested on E-permits13
- Use and Occupancy letter after inspection approvals13
- Apply online
- Registered contractors only via ePermits; homeowners apply through the office/Zoning Help Desk12
Inspections in Nashville
Nashville’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Inspection checklist issued with permit1
- Building inspections5
- Electrical inspections5
- Plumbing inspections5
- Gas/Mechanical inspections5
- How to schedule
- EPermits (registered contractors) or phone with permit number, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri5
- Re-inspection fee
- F. Re-inspection Fee. For a re-inspection, the fee shall be fifty dollars ($50.00).11
- After the final inspection
- Use and Occupancy letter1
Building without a permit in Nashville
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it |
|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee Metro Code § 16.20.250(B) | Electrical work commenced before a permit is issued11 | Permit fees tripled9 |
| Daily fine | Property standards violations heard in Environmental Court14 | Up to $50 a day for each violation14 |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes, for a single-family residence the owner occupies or intends to occupy ("Self Permit")15
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Owner presently occupies or intends to occupy; owners in an LLC/trust or of rental/investment property limited to work under $25,00016
- Sale or rental limits
- Affidavit: no permit/application for a duplex or single residence within 2 years; no construction/addition of $25,000 or more for resale, lease or rent17
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes15
Tennessee's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Tennessee permit guide.
Tennessee rules that also apply in Nashville
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Tennessee
- Contractor licensing in Tennessee
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Tennessee
- Private plan review and inspections in Tennessee
Sources
- Building Permit ProcessMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated December 10, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Codes and Building Safety | Nashville.govMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated August 3, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Adopted Codes for Metro NashvilleMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated July 28, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Building Permits CentralMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated June 13, 2024Checked November 6, 2026
- Requesting an InspectionMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated September 29, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Department ListingMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated October 20, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Contact List (Construction and Permits)Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated June 15, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Property Permit HistoryMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated January 16, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- BL2025-898: An ordinance amending Title 16 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to adopt updated building codesMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metropolitan Council (Legistar legislation record)Adopted July 16, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Metro Adopts 2024 International Building Codes (Media Release)Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyPosted July 23, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Codes Fee Schedule (Building-Permit-Fee-Scheudle-2025.pdf)Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyPosted December 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- E-Permits SystemMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated September 3, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Codes Permitting Process (CODES_PERMITTING_PROCESS_26-8-31.pdf)Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyPosted August 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Codes Violation ProcessMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated April 7, 2021Checked November 6, 2026
- Residential Building PermitsMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated October 31, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- I Want to Renovate a Single-Family ResidenceMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyLast updated January 17, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Affidavit of Exemption / Self Permit AffidavitMetropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Department of Codes and Building SafetyPosted April 2024Checked November 7, 2026