How to Get Nashville Building Permits
Nashville, Tennessee is known for its lively arts scene, historical architecture, and an array of beautiful landscapes and scenery. If you're looking for a place to call home or to set up an investment property, Nashville is the perfect location.
To build any structure in Nashville, residential or commercial, you have to acquire a building permit. The Department of Codes Administration is responsible for handling building permits in Nashville.
The process of acquiring is long, tedious, and for the most part, very frustrating. You have to deal with multiple departments before you can get approval. DoNotPay offers you a better alternative to applying for your building permit within minutes. All you have to do is sign up, upload your documents, and let us handle the rest.
When Is a Building Permit Necessary in Nashville?
A is necessary for any building owner or contractor who intends to make any structural changes to a building or start a new construction project.
The building permit covers projects such as :
- Construction of a new structure
- Structural modifications and alterations
- New additions, alterations
- Major repairs that affect the building's electrical wiring or plumbing
- Building demolitions
- Swimming pools, etc
If you proceed with construction without a building permit, you'll receive a stop-work order from the codes department. You'll then have to apply for a permit to proceed and pay three times the value of a regular permit as a penalty.
In addition, you may be required to tear down or make alterations to the work that was done before acquiring the permit.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Nashville Building Permit?
According to Tennessee Building Codes, every homeowner or contractor must obtain a building permit before they can commence construction/alteration of any building. Besides abiding by state laws, there are other benefits to obtaining a Nashville building permit, such as:
| Safety | A building permit ascertains the safety of the structure during construction and occupancy. |
| Protect the Value of the Building | For a building to be sold, it must go through a valuation process which requires a building permit to ensure the building was constructed under acceptable regulation standards. |
| Receive Financing | Banks and financial institutions cannot issue loans or mortgages on houses built without a permit. |
| Easy Property Resale | Should you decide to sell your building, you must produce a valid building permit to prove that the building is safe for occupancy. |
| Insurance Purposes | Insurance companies cannot issue coverage for buildings constructed without permits because they're considered high risk. |
How to Get a Building Permit in Nashville on Your Own
To apply for a building permit in Nashville, you must contact the Department of Codes Administration of the Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County. You can send in your application either via mail, online through the department's website, or in-person at the offices.
1. Apply for Y our Nashville Building Permit Online
Apply for your Nashville building permit online through the Nashville county government website. The page will redirect you to the Nashville ePermits portal where you can fill in your application form.
Once you're done, upload your documents and building plans onto the website, make the payment via debit/credit card and submit your application. You can check the progress of your application on the same portal by logging in with your credentials.
Note that the approval process may take several weeks as every document goes through a different department for review.
2. Apply for Y our Nashville Building Permit via Mail
Send in your Nashville building permit application via mail to the following address:
Department of Codes Administration
Metro Office Building
800 2nd Avenue S.
Nashville, TN 37219
Fill out your application form and make sure you attach copies of your building plans and any other necessary documents and proof of payment. Once your documents are received, they will go through a review process and upon approval, your building permit will be sent to you via mail.
3. Apply for Y our Building Permit In-Person
Make a visit to the Department of Codes Administration offices located at Metro Office Building on the 1st floor, 800 2nd Avenue S, Nashville TN 37219. The office operating hours are from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can call the offices on 615-862-6500 to schedule an appointment and avoid queuing for hours.
Before your visit, make sure to carry an identification document, a filled-out application form (original), and copies of your building plans and other required documents. Payment methods accepted at the offices include:
- Cash
- Check
- Money orders
- Debit/credit cards
One of the official representatives will contact you once your documents are approved and make arrangements for you to get your building permit.
What Is the Cost of Getting a Building Permit In Nashville?
The cost of a building permit in Nashville varies depending on the type of permit and the total cost of construction. For residential structures, the minimum permit fee is $28.25 and $40.39 for commercial structures. The total permit cost estimates are listed on the Tennessee building permit website.
How to Apply for a Building Permit in Nashville With the Help of DoNotPay
Getting your building permit from the DOCA is quite a hassle and time-consuming. You'll have to deal with more than one department before you can get approval. DoNotPay makes your work easier by providing you with access to all departments on one platform, so you can get your building permit faster.
If you want to apply for a building permit in Nashville without a hassle but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered. Create your own request letter in 6 easy steps:
- Go to the Planning Permissions product on DoNotPay.
- Choose one of the following options:
- Check whether your project needs a building permit or if it's exempt
- Generate a permission request letter to send to your HOA
- Generate a guide on how to complete the building permit application
- Choose the focus of your project (new ADU, pool, shed, fence, etc.) and answer a few questions about your plans, including the size of the structure and estimated cost.
- Indicate whether you're hiring a contractor and include the estimated start date and timeline for the project.
- Indicate whether any public sidewalk/street space will be used during construction.
- And that's it! DoNotPay will help guide you through the building permit process by checking if your project needs a building permit, contacting any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission, or generating detailed instructions on how to start and complete your building permit application process.
DoNotPay can help you obtain building permits for other regions including:
Why Use DoNotPay to Get a Building Permit in Nashville?
DoNotPay provides you with the easiest and quickest way to get your Nashville building permit. Why wait for days just so you can get an appointment at the Department of Codes Administration when there's a better alternative?
In addition, DoNotPay works with all government agencies to give you quick access to other services to accelerate your building plans review process. Sign up with DoNotPay today to enjoy the benefits of quick, convenient, and efficient services.