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Davidson County, TN Building Permit Guide
Britain Jacobson
Breaking ground in Davidson County, Tennessee? Whether you’re developing new housing, managing commercial build-outs, or scaling your service territory into the Nashville market, permitting is the first hurdle — and often the highest.
From zoning reviews to structural approvals, Davidson County’s process can stall projects before they start if you don’t come prepared. This guide is built for contractors, developers, and trade professionals who need to navigate Davidson County TN building permits efficiently — so you can get to work faster, with fewer delays.
Simplify permitting in Davidson County with PermitFlow. Learn more here.
What requires a building permit in Davidson County?
In Davidson County (which includes the City of Nashville), permits are generally required for any construction, alteration, repair, or installation that affects structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems.
Common projects that require a permit include:
- New construction: Single-family, multifamily, and commercial buildings
- Additions and alterations: Room expansions, tenant build-outs, or structural remodels
- MEP work: Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas installations and modifications
- Accessory structures: Garages, carports, sheds, decks, and porches
- Roofing or siding replacement (depending on scope)
- Demolition: Full or partial structure removal
- Foundation or retaining wall work
Permit exemptions vary by project. Always check with the Metro Nashville Davidson County Development Services department.
What doesn’t require a building permit?
Some small-scale or cosmetic work in Davidson County may not require a building permit.
These include:
- Interior painting, wallpaper, or carpeting
- Minor repairs or replacements (e.g., faucets, countertops)
- Fences under 7 feet in height
- Detached accessory buildings under 120 sq. ft. with no utilities
- Playground equipment
- Replacement of existing HVAC units (in some cases)
To confirm whether your project is exempt, check with the Metro Nashville Davidson County Development Services department.
Davidson County building permit fees
Permit fees in Davidson County are based on project type, total valuation, and trade category.
The total cost includes:
- A $25 zoning examination fee
- A 10% codes technology fee (applied to the base building permit fee)
- A plan review fee (typically 50% of the permit fee for projects valued under $275,000)
Residential permit fees (1- and 2-family dwellings)
| Valuation Range |
Fee |
| Up to $1,000 |
$5.00 per $1,000 of total valuation |
| Plan review fee |
Exempt |
| Codes tech fee |
10% of permit fee |
| Zoning exam fee |
$25 flat |
Commercial and multifamily permit fees:
| Valuation Range |
Permit Fee |
| $0–$2,000 |
$40.39 |
| $2,000.01–$50,000 |
$40.39 + $6.92 per $1,000 over $2,000 |
| $50,000.01–$100,000 |
$372.71 + $5.57 per $1,000 over $50,000 |
| $100,000.01–$500,000 |
$651.38 + $4.19 per $1,000 over $100,000 |
| Over $500,000 |
$2,326.84 + $2.79 per $1,000 over $500,000 |
Additional fees:
- Codes tech fee: 10% of permit fee
- Plan review fee: 50% of permit fee for projects up to $275,000; scaled fees above
- Zoning exam fee: $25
MEP permit fees:
| Permit Type |
Fee |
| Plumbing permit (base) |
$75 + $11 per fixture |
| Sewer/water service |
$80 each |
| Septic tank/disposal field |
$80 |
| Hot water heater (plumbing) |
$43 |
| Mechanical permit (base) |
$75 + appliance fees |
| Gas/mechanical appliance |
$11 each (residential), $16 (commercial) |
| Underground fuel piping |
$50 |
| Electrical permit (base) |
$75 |
| 10 or fewer outlets |
$6 |
| Additional outlets |
$1 each |
| Panels (200A–3000A+) |
$10–$145 depending on amperage |
| Reinspection (all types) |
$50 |
For more rates and details, see the full Davidson County Building Permit Fee Schedule.
How to get a building permit in Davidson County
Step 1: Determine permit requirements
Start by confirming whether your project requires a permit — and if so, what type. Use the Nashville ePermits portal or call the Davidson County Codes Department at (615) 862-6500.
Getting this right up front helps avoid costly rework or application rejection down the line.
Step 2: Prepare necessary documentation
Each permit type has specific documentation requirements.
Most applications will require:
- A completed permit application form
- A site plan or property survey
- Detailed construction drawings (sealed by a licensed professional if required)
- A cost estimate or total project valuation
- Proof of contractor licensing, bonding, and insurance
Commercial or multifamily developments may also require documentation from civil engineers, zoning clearances, and energy code compliance forms. Having a complete and accurate submission helps expedite plan review.
Step 3: Submit application
Submit your application through the ePermits portal or in person at:
Codes & Building Safety Department
800 2nd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210
Online submittals are preferred for faster turnaround and easier tracking, but in-person visits are sometimes required for complex projects or phased submissions. Make sure all required files are uploaded in PDF format and labeled clearly to reduce back-and-forth.
Step 4: Plan review and approval
After submission, your application enters a multi-department review process. Plans are evaluated for code compliance, fire safety, zoning alignment, energy standards, and environmental regulations.
- For residential builds, review typically takes 3–10 business days.
- Commercial projects, especially those over $250,000 in value or with zoning overlays, may take 2–4 weeks or longer depending on volume.
Be prepared to respond to revision requests promptly to keep things moving.
Step 5: Permit issuance
Once your plans are approved, you’ll receive a notification and an invoice. Pay any remaining fees through ePermits or at the Codes Department office. After payment is confirmed, your permit will be issued electronically or in person. Be sure to print and post it visibly on the job site before beginning any work.
Step 6: Inspections
Inspections are required at key stages of construction — such as footing, framing, rough-in MEPs, and final completion.
You can schedule inspections via ePermits or by calling the inspection request line. Make sure your team is prepared with access to approved plans and any required safety equipment. If an inspection fails, you’ll need to address the issue and reschedule (a $50 reinspection fee applies).
Davidson County permitting resources
Streamline Davidson County permitting with PermitFlow
Managing Davidson County construction permits — especially if you’re juggling several projects or operating across multiple AHJs (authority having jurisdictions — can quickly become a time drain.
Between coordinating with city departments, keeping documents organized, and tracking shifting review timelines, even experienced teams can lose valuable time to bottlenecks and back-and-forth.
PermitFlow’s permit management software brings structure, speed, and expert support to every stage of the permitting process.
With PermitFlow, you get:
- Local code expertise: Our permitting specialists understand Davidson County’s application requirements, plan review triggers, and inspection workflows, so you avoid costly errors and resubmissions.
- Centralized dashboard: Track every permit across your portfolio in one platform, complete with real-time status updates.
- Streamlined submissions: Submit clean, complete applications the first time with help from our team. Fewer rejections means faster approvals.
- Collaboration at scale: Share project files, updates, and deadlines across your internal teams and subcontractors — all from one place.
If you're expanding into the Nashville metro or scaling operations in Middle Tennessee, PermitFlow helps you move faster and build smarter.
Ready to take the friction out of permitting? Let’s talk. Schedule a no-obligation call today.
Breaking ground in Davidson County, Tennessee? Whether you’re developing new housing, managing commercial build-outs, or scaling your service territory into the Nashville market, permitting is the first hurdle — and often the highest.
From zoning reviews to structural approvals, Davidson County’s process can stall projects before they start if you don’t come prepared. This guide is built for contractors, developers, and trade professionals who need to navigate Davidson County TN building permits efficiently — so you can get to work faster, with fewer delays.
Simplify permitting in Davidson County with PermitFlow. Learn more here.
What requires a building permit in Davidson County?
In Davidson County (which includes the City of Nashville), permits are generally required for any construction, alteration, repair, or installation that affects structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems.
Common projects that require a permit include:
- New construction: Single-family, multifamily, and commercial buildings
- Additions and alterations: Room expansions, tenant build-outs, or structural remodels
- MEP work: Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas installations and modifications
- Accessory structures: Garages, carports, sheds, decks, and porches
- Roofing or siding replacement (depending on scope)
- Demolition: Full or partial structure removal
- Foundation or retaining wall work
Permit exemptions vary by project. Always check with the Metro Nashville Davidson County Development Services department.
What doesn’t require a building permit?
Some small-scale or cosmetic work in Davidson County may not require a building permit.
These include:
- Interior painting, wallpaper, or carpeting
- Minor repairs or replacements (e.g., faucets, countertops)
- Fences under 7 feet in height
- Detached accessory buildings under 120 sq. ft. with no utilities
- Playground equipment
- Replacement of existing HVAC units (in some cases)
To confirm whether your project is exempt, check with the Metro Nashville Davidson County Development Services department.
Davidson County building permit fees
Permit fees in Davidson County are based on project type, total valuation, and trade category.
The total cost includes:
- A $25 zoning examination fee
- A 10% codes technology fee (applied to the base building permit fee)
- A plan review fee (typically 50% of the permit fee for projects valued under $275,000)
Residential permit fees (1- and 2-family dwellings)
| Valuation Range |
Fee |
| Up to $1,000 |
$5.00 per $1,000 of total valuation |
| Plan review fee |
Exempt |
| Codes tech fee |
10% of permit fee |
| Zoning exam fee |
$25 flat |
Commercial and multifamily permit fees:
| Valuation Range |
Permit Fee |
| $0–$2,000 |
$40.39 |
| $2,000.01–$50,000 |
$40.39 + $6.92 per $1,000 over $2,000 |
| $50,000.01–$100,000 |
$372.71 + $5.57 per $1,000 over $50,000 |
| $100,000.01–$500,000 |
$651.38 + $4.19 per $1,000 over $100,000 |
| Over $500,000 |
$2,326.84 + $2.79 per $1,000 over $500,000 |
Additional fees:
- Codes tech fee: 10% of permit fee
- Plan review fee: 50% of permit fee for projects up to $275,000; scaled fees above
- Zoning exam fee: $25
MEP permit fees:
| Permit Type |
Fee |
| Plumbing permit (base) |
$75 + $11 per fixture |
| Sewer/water service |
$80 each |
| Septic tank/disposal field |
$80 |
| Hot water heater (plumbing) |
$43 |
| Mechanical permit (base) |
$75 + appliance fees |
| Gas/mechanical appliance |
$11 each (residential), $16 (commercial) |
| Underground fuel piping |
$50 |
| Electrical permit (base) |
$75 |
| 10 or fewer outlets |
$6 |
| Additional outlets |
$1 each |
| Panels (200A–3000A+) |
$10–$145 depending on amperage |
| Reinspection (all types) |
$50 |
For more rates and details, see the full Davidson County Building Permit Fee Schedule.
How to get a building permit in Davidson County
Step 1: Determine permit requirements
Start by confirming whether your project requires a permit — and if so, what type. Use the Nashville ePermits portal or call the Davidson County Codes Department at (615) 862-6500.
Getting this right up front helps avoid costly rework or application rejection down the line.
Step 2: Prepare necessary documentation
Each permit type has specific documentation requirements.
Most applications will require:
- A completed permit application form
- A site plan or property survey
- Detailed construction drawings (sealed by a licensed professional if required)
- A cost estimate or total project valuation
- Proof of contractor licensing, bonding, and insurance
Commercial or multifamily developments may also require documentation from civil engineers, zoning clearances, and energy code compliance forms. Having a complete and accurate submission helps expedite plan review.
Step 3: Submit application
Submit your application through the ePermits portal or in person at:
Codes & Building Safety Department
800 2nd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210
Online submittals are preferred for faster turnaround and easier tracking, but in-person visits are sometimes required for complex projects or phased submissions. Make sure all required files are uploaded in PDF format and labeled clearly to reduce back-and-forth.
Step 4: Plan review and approval
After submission, your application enters a multi-department review process. Plans are evaluated for code compliance, fire safety, zoning alignment, energy standards, and environmental regulations.
- For residential builds, review typically takes 3–10 business days.
- Commercial projects, especially those over $250,000 in value or with zoning overlays, may take 2–4 weeks or longer depending on volume.
Be prepared to respond to revision requests promptly to keep things moving.
Step 5: Permit issuance
Once your plans are approved, you’ll receive a notification and an invoice. Pay any remaining fees through ePermits or at the Codes Department office. After payment is confirmed, your permit will be issued electronically or in person. Be sure to print and post it visibly on the job site before beginning any work.
Step 6: Inspections
Inspections are required at key stages of construction — such as footing, framing, rough-in MEPs, and final completion.
You can schedule inspections via ePermits or by calling the inspection request line. Make sure your team is prepared with access to approved plans and any required safety equipment. If an inspection fails, you’ll need to address the issue and reschedule (a $50 reinspection fee applies).
Davidson County permitting resources
Streamline Davidson County permitting with PermitFlow
Managing Davidson County construction permits — especially if you’re juggling several projects or operating across multiple AHJs (authority having jurisdictions — can quickly become a time drain.
Between coordinating with city departments, keeping documents organized, and tracking shifting review timelines, even experienced teams can lose valuable time to bottlenecks and back-and-forth.
PermitFlow’s permit management software brings structure, speed, and expert support to every stage of the permitting process.
With PermitFlow, you get:
- Local code expertise: Our permitting specialists understand Davidson County’s application requirements, plan review triggers, and inspection workflows, so you avoid costly errors and resubmissions.
- Centralized dashboard: Track every permit across your portfolio in one platform, complete with real-time status updates.
- Streamlined submissions: Submit clean, complete applications the first time with help from our team. Fewer rejections means faster approvals.
- Collaboration at scale: Share project files, updates, and deadlines across your internal teams and subcontractors — all from one place.
If you're expanding into the Nashville metro or scaling operations in Middle Tennessee, PermitFlow helps you move faster and build smarter.
Ready to take the friction out of permitting? Let’s talk. Schedule a no-obligation call today.
