Residential permit rules in Tennessee
Representative cities: Nashville, Memphis. Covers 20 common home projects.
Check a home project's permit in Tennessee
Select a project to see its Tennessee permit requirement, fee range, timeline, go / no-go, and the official source to verify.
Tennessee
Exact permit fees are set by the local building department. WikEst shows the published or code-based range where one exists, linked to its official source — verify the final amount at the source before budgeting.
🏠 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permit fee in Tennessee
Permit requiredGenerally allowedcity authority
Permit fee range
Valuation-based; Nashville residential fee is $5.00 per $1,000 of valuation.
Typical timeline
Nashville DADU review under Metro Code §17.16.250; varies by city.
Setback
Per local zoning (Nashville DADU setbacks under §17.16.250).
Exempt if
Nashville allows detached ADUs (DADUs) by right in most residential zones (Urban Services District).
Exempt criteria: None — an ADU always requires a building permit.
Nashville streamlined DADU rules in 2025 (removed alley-access requirement, raised size limits); owner-occupancy is required. Other cities follow state ADU allowances.
Official sources: Metro Nashville — Residential Building Permit Procedures · TN State Fire Marshal — Residential Permits (2018 IRC)
Representative cities for Tennessee: Nashville, Memphis.
All 20 project fee ranges in Tennessee
Official-source ranges where published; “By local jurisdiction” means no flat fee is published and the amount is set case by case.
| Project | Permit? | Authority | Fee range | Go / no-go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | yes | city | Valuation-based; Nashville residential fee is $5.00 per $1,000 of valuation. | allowed |
| 🪵 Deck / Porch | conditional | city | Valuation-based; set by the issuing city/county. | allowed |
| 🧱 Fence / Wall | conditional | city | Often no building permit below local thresholds; historic-overlay lots differ. | allowed |
| 🛖 Shed / Outbuilding | conditional | city | Valuation-based when over the size threshold. | allowed |
| 🪜 Basement Finish | yes | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | allowed |
| 🚗 Garage / Carport | conditional | city | Valuation-based when a permit is required. | allowed |
| ☀️ Rooftop Solar PV | yes | city | Building + electrical permits; fee set by city. | allowed |
| 🌡️ HVAC Replacement | yes | city | Mechanical permit; fee set by city. | allowed |
| 🍳 Kitchen Remodel | conditional | city | Valuation-based when structural/plumbing/electrical work is included. | allowed |
| 🛁 Bathroom Remodel | conditional | city | Valuation-based when plumbing is relocated. | allowed |
| 🏗️ Room Addition | yes | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | allowed |
| 🪟 Window / Door Replacement | conditional | city | Usually no fee for in-kind swap; permit needed if opening is enlarged or under stricter local codes. | allowed |
| 🏘️ Roof Replacement | conditional | city | Often over-the-counter or exempt for same-decking re-roof. | allowed |
| 🅿️ Driveway / Parking Pad | conditional | city | Building permit often not required; curb-cut/right-of-way work is separate. | allowed |
| 🏊 Swimming Pool / Spa | yes | city | Valuation-based; includes barrier/fencing and electrical bonding review. | allowed |
| 🧱 Retaining Wall | conditional | city | Valuation-based when over the height threshold. | allowed |
| 💥 Demolition / Teardown | yes | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | allowed |
| 🚰 Septic System | yes | county | Septic permit fees set by the local county health department; verify locally. | allowed |
| 🔌 EV Charger | conditional | city | Electrical permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | allowed |
| ⚡ Standby Generator | yes | city | Electrical (and often mechanical/gas) permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | allowed |
| Project | Permit? | Authority | Typical fee | Timeline | Go / No-Go | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; Nashville residential fee is $5.00 per $1,000 of valuation. | Nashville DADU review under Metro Code §17.16.250; varies by city. | Generally allowed | Nashville streamlined DADU rules in 2025 (removed alley-access requirement, raised size limits); owner-occupancy is required. Other cities follow state ADU allowances. Exempt: Nashville allows detached ADUs (DADUs) by right in most residential zones (Urban Services District). |
| 🪵 Deck / Porch | Conditional | city | Valuation-based; set by the issuing city/county. | Memphis OCCE ~5–10 business days for standard decks. | Generally allowed | Footing depth follows local frost line (shallow in Memphis, ~12 in Middle TN). Exempt: Decks ≤200 sq ft, ≤30 in above grade, not attached, not serving a required exit are exempt. |
| 🧱 Fence / Wall | Conditional | city | Often no building permit below local thresholds; historic-overlay lots differ. | Usually no building-permit review below threshold. | Generally allowed | Pool-enclosure fences must meet the 48 in barrier requirement. Exempt: Nashville: fences exempt except in Historic Overlay districts or over 7 ft; Memphis generally requires a permit for new fences. |
| 🛖 Shed / Outbuilding | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when over the size threshold. | Small sheds often exempt; larger sheds need plan review. | Generally allowed | Structures with plumbing, electrical, or gas, or used as living space, require a permit. Exempt: One-story detached sheds ≤200 sq ft are exempt under the TN Residential Code. |
| 🪜 Basement Finish | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | Standard plan review 2–4 weeks. | Generally allowed | Under the state program, unfinished-basement slabs do not require a slab inspection. Exempt: Cosmetic finishing (paint, flooring) is exempt. |
| 🚗 Garage / Carport | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when a permit is required. | New-structure plan review; varies by city. | Generally allowed | Converting a garage to habitable space requires a permit and code compliance. Exempt: State program exempts detached garages/sheds not used for living; local codes may differ. |
| ☀️ Rooftop Solar PV | Permit required | city | Building + electrical permits; fee set by city. | Varies; streamlined review common for standard residential PV. | Generally allowed | Net-metering and state incentives apply. Exempt: No size exemption for permanent rooftop PV. |
| 🌡️ HVAC Replacement | Permit required | city | Mechanical permit; fee set by city. | Trade permits often issued quickly. | Generally allowed | Equipment must meet the Tennessee Energy Code (2018 IECC + amendments). Exempt: No exemption for equipment replacement/installation. |
| 🍳 Kitchen Remodel | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when structural/plumbing/electrical work is included. | Standard review for permitted scopes. | Generally allowed | Full remodels pull separate plumbing/electrical/mechanical sub-permits. Exempt: Cabinet/countertop swap in the same layout is exempt. |
| 🛁 Bathroom Remodel | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when plumbing is relocated. | Standard review for permitted scopes. | Generally allowed | Ventilation to the exterior is required. Exempt: Fixture-for-fixture swap in place is often exempt. |
| 🏗️ Room Addition | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes trade permits. | Nashville standard residential review targets ~5 business days. | Generally allowed | The addition must meet code even though the existing home is not brought up to code. Exempt: State program: additions over 30 sq ft require a permit. |
| 🪟 Window / Door Replacement | Conditional | city | Usually no fee for in-kind swap; permit needed if opening is enlarged or under stricter local codes. | In-kind swaps typically need no review; Nashville requires a permit for window/door/exterior changes. | Generally allowed | Replacement products must meet energy-code U-factor when the code is triggered. Exempt: Same-size, in-kind replacement is generally exempt under the baseline code. |
| 🏘️ Roof Replacement | Conditional | city | Often over-the-counter or exempt for same-decking re-roof. | Nashville requires a permit for re-roofing; Memphis exempts re-roof where no decking is modified. | Generally allowed | Repairs not exceeding 33% of roof area are normal maintenance in Nashville. Exempt: Re-roof not changing decking/structure is often exempt (Memphis); Nashville requires a permit. |
| 🅿️ Driveway / Parking Pad | Conditional | city | Building permit often not required; curb-cut/right-of-way work is separate. | Right-of-way permits reviewed by the city/utility. | Generally allowed | A separate right-of-way permit is usually needed to cut the curb. Exempt: Sidewalks and driveways ≤30 in above grade are exempt (Memphis/OCCE exemption list). |
| 🏊 Swimming Pool / Spa | Permit required | city | Valuation-based; includes barrier/fencing and electrical bonding review. | Plan review varies; barrier inspection required. | Generally allowed | Tennessee requires a 48 in high barrier/fence around pools (Nashville and state standard). Exempt: Prefabricated pools <24 in deep and <5,000 gal may be exempt (Memphis/OCCE). |
| 🧱 Retaining Wall | Conditional | city | Valuation-based when over the height threshold. | Over-threshold walls need plan review. | Generally allowed | Walls in steep-slope or karst/expansive-soil areas may trigger soils review. Exempt: Walls ≤4 ft (Nashville) / ≤3 ft (Memphis) are exempt unless supporting a surcharge. |
| 💥 Demolition / Teardown | Permit required | city | Demolition permit fee set by the city/county building department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A full teardown or major structural demolition requires a demolition (building) permit from the local building department under the Tennessee Residential Code. Structures built before 1978 may require an asbestos/lead-paint survey and abatement, and utility disconnects are typically required before teardown. Interior non-structural strip-out may be exempt. |
| 🚰 Septic System | Permit required | county | Septic permit fees set by the local county health department; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | New or replacement onsite wastewater (septic / subsurface sewage disposal) systems require a construction permit from the local county health department under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68 (TDEC Ground Water Protection Program). A site/soil evaluation and engineered design are typically required; new subdivisions need health-department approval before any septic permit. |
| 🔌 EV Charger | Conditional | city | Electrical permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A home EV charging station normally requires an electrical permit for a dedicated 240V circuit and wall unit, issued by the city under the Tennessee Residential Code / NEC. Plug-in (cord-and-plug) Level 1 charging from an existing outlet may be exempt where code allows; a new dedicated circuit or hardwired unit requires a permit. |
| ⚡ Standby Generator | Permit required | city | Electrical (and often mechanical/gas) permit fee set by the city; verify locally. | — | Generally allowed | A permanently installed standby generator with a transfer switch and fuel (natural gas/propane) line requires electrical and often mechanical/gas permits, plus inspection (NEC Art. 445/702 context). Setback, noise, and carbon-monoxide rules may apply, and HOAs may restrict installation. Verify with the city building department. |
Homeowner Tools
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a building permit for home projects in Tennessee?
Most structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work does. The project table above shows Tennessee-specific permit requirements for 20 common home projects. Always confirm with the local building department before starting.
Who issues building permits in Tennessee?
Tennessee permit authorities are typically city or county building departments. Use the county permit authority lookup to find the exact office for your property.
Which home projects are exempt from permits in Tennessee?
Common baseline exemptions apply widely: detached sheds ≤120 sq ft, fences ≤6–7 ft, decks ≤30 in above grade, same-footprint re-roofs, and in-kind window/door swaps. Tennessee or your city may amend these — verify locally.
How much does a permit cost in Tennessee?
Permit fees are set by each city or county and scale with project valuation; there is no single Tennessee statewide fee. Open the official authority link on this page for the local fee schedule.