Tennessee

Tennessee home permit planning notes

City, county, and state roles can differ. Verify electrical permits, septic, floodplain, decks, additions, and short-term-rental limits where relevant.

What to verify locally

Local guides in Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Residential Building Permit Guide

Nashville residential permits are handled by Metro Codes and Building Safety, with zoning review, site plans, and trade-code checks depending on scope.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Deck and Patio Permit Guide

Nashville requires permits for new decks and deck replacements, with zoning review for setbacks, easements, overlays, and stormwater questions.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Fence Rules Guide

Nashville says fences do not currently require a permit, but zoning, height, visibility, easements, materials, overlays, and historic rules still apply.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis Building and Zoning Permit Guide

Memphis uses the Develop 901 Citizen Portal for planning, zoning, engineering, construction, sign, fire, contractor registration, permit search, and inspection scheduling.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis and Shelby County Driveway Permit Guide

Shelby County driveway permits protect line-of-sight, stormwater, construction-code, and access requirements for driveways from public roadways.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville Tennessee Residential Building Permit Guide

Knoxville residential permit types include new residential buildings, additions, alteration and repair work, limited repairs, and demolition for single-family homes and townhouses.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville Tennessee Demolition and Site Development Permit Guide

Knoxville total demolition permits cover complete removal of a dwelling and debris removal, but additional site work can require a separate site development permit.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga Residential Building Permit Guide

Chattanooga residential building permits apply to new single-unit construction, ADUs, and work that alters an existing footprint, with contractor licensing and owner-builder requirements.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga Residential Modification Permit Guide

Chattanooga residential modification permits cover repair, replacement, and alteration work that does not alter the footprint, including interior remodels, deck replacement, porch repair, roofing, windows, doors, and siding.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga Retaining Wall Permit Guide

Chattanooga requires a retaining wall or reinforced slopes permit for walls four feet or higher, with site plans and engineering sealed by Tennessee-licensed professionals.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga Demolition and Meter Inspection Permit Guide

Chattanooga demolition permits can require land-disturbing applications, air-pollution approval, sewer capping inspection, and separate meter inspection rules when power has been off for more than a year.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro Residential Permit Guide

Murfreesboro residential permits are required for alterations, renovations, additions, new construction, fences, pools, and accessory structures, with applications submitted by email or in person.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro Accessory Structure, Fence, Pool, and Deck Permit Guide

Murfreesboro requires permits for accessory structures and related work including fences, storage buildings, pools, and decks, whether work is done by the owner or a contractor.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro Historic Exterior Work Permit Guide

Murfreesboro properties in the East Main Street Historic Zone need a certificate of appropriateness before building permits for new structures, additions, demolition, relocation, and exterior alterations or repairs.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro Townhome, Duplex, and Zero Lot Line Permit Guide

Murfreesboro townhomes, duplexes, and zero-lot-line residential projects need plan review, unit-separation details, and building permits coordinated through the city's plan submission process.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville Tennessee Residential Permit Guide

Knoxville homeowners should check residential permit requirements before new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, trade work, and site development.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville Tennessee Deck and Zoning Permit Guide

Knoxville deck and outdoor structure projects should be checked for building permits, zoning permits, site plans, deck design documents, and inspections before work begins.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga Tennessee Residential Building Permit Guide

Chattanooga residential building permits apply to new construction, ADUs, work that alters the existing footprint, and other residential scopes that need city review.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga Tennessee Residential Modification Permit Guide

Chattanooga residential modification permits cover many repairs, alterations, remodels, and exterior replacements that do not alter the existing footprint.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide

Homeowners in Nashville, Tennessee, planning an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment, basement apartment, or converted living space should confirm zoning, occupancy, utility, parking, and building-permit requirements before design work goes too far.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide

Pool and spa projects in Nashville, Tennessee, should be checked for building permits, zoning setbacks, electrical bonding, drainage, alarms, gates, and barrier inspections before excavation or delivery.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide

Roof replacement, window replacement, siding, exterior doors, structural repairs, and weatherproofing work in Nashville, Tennessee, should be checked for permit, historic, energy, wind, and inspection requirements.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide

Remodels in Nashville, Tennessee, should be checked for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation, egress, waterproofing, and final inspection requirements before walls are closed.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide

Homeowners in Nashville, Tennessee, planning solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, panel upgrades, or standby generators should coordinate electrical permits, utility requirements, equipment placement, and inspections.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide

Homeowners in Nashville, Tennessee, should check zoning, right-of-way, drainage, easements, setbacks, fence height, accessory structures, and inspections before building outside the house footprint.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Addition Deck Porch and Patio Cover Permit Guide

Additions, decks, porches, balconies, and patio covers in Nashville, Tennessee, should be checked for zoning placement, structural plans, footings, ledger connections, stairs, guards, roof loads, and staged inspections.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Electrical Panel Circuit and Rewiring Permit Guide

Panel replacements, service upgrades, new circuits, whole-home rewiring, subpanels, outlets, lighting, and dedicated appliance wiring in Nashville, Tennessee, should be coordinated with electrical permits, utility requirements, and inspections.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Plumbing Water Heater Repipe and Sewer Permit Guide

Water heaters, repipes, fixture relocations, drain and vent changes, sewer laterals, backflow devices, and gas or water service work in Nashville, Tennessee, should be checked for plumbing permits and inspection hold points.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee HVAC Heat Pump Gas and Ventilation Permit Guide

Furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, mini-splits, ductwork, gas piping, range hoods, bath fans, and other ventilation work in Nashville, Tennessee, should be checked for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel-gas permits.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Foundation Retaining Wall Grading and Drainage Permit Guide

Foundation repairs, retaining walls, excavation, fill, waterproofing, grading, drainage systems, and slope work in Nashville, Tennessee, should be checked for structural, zoning, stormwater, floodplain, and site inspections.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee Demolition Structural Wall Fireplace and Chimney Permit Guide

Interior demolition, load-bearing wall changes, chimney or fireplace work, structural openings, and full-structure removal in Nashville, Tennessee, should be checked for building, trade, utility, environmental, and inspection requirements.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide

Homeowners in Memphis, Tennessee, planning an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment, basement apartment, or converted living space should confirm zoning, occupancy, utility, parking, and building-permit requirements before design work goes too far.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide

Pool and spa projects in Memphis, Tennessee, should be checked for building permits, zoning setbacks, electrical bonding, drainage, alarms, gates, and barrier inspections before excavation or delivery.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide

Roof replacement, window replacement, siding, exterior doors, structural repairs, and weatherproofing work in Memphis, Tennessee, should be checked for permit, historic, energy, wind, and inspection requirements.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide

Remodels in Memphis, Tennessee, should be checked for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation, egress, waterproofing, and final inspection requirements before walls are closed.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide

Homeowners in Memphis, Tennessee, planning solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, panel upgrades, or standby generators should coordinate electrical permits, utility requirements, equipment placement, and inspections.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide

Homeowners in Memphis, Tennessee, should check zoning, right-of-way, drainage, easements, setbacks, fence height, accessory structures, and inspections before building outside the house footprint.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Addition Deck Porch and Patio Cover Permit Guide

Additions, decks, porches, balconies, and patio covers in Memphis, Tennessee, should be checked for zoning placement, structural plans, footings, ledger connections, stairs, guards, roof loads, and staged inspections.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Electrical Panel Circuit and Rewiring Permit Guide

Panel replacements, service upgrades, new circuits, whole-home rewiring, subpanels, outlets, lighting, and dedicated appliance wiring in Memphis, Tennessee, should be coordinated with electrical permits, utility requirements, and inspections.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Plumbing Water Heater Repipe and Sewer Permit Guide

Water heaters, repipes, fixture relocations, drain and vent changes, sewer laterals, backflow devices, and gas or water service work in Memphis, Tennessee, should be checked for plumbing permits and inspection hold points.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee HVAC Heat Pump Gas and Ventilation Permit Guide

Furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, mini-splits, ductwork, gas piping, range hoods, bath fans, and other ventilation work in Memphis, Tennessee, should be checked for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel-gas permits.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Foundation Retaining Wall Grading and Drainage Permit Guide

Foundation repairs, retaining walls, excavation, fill, waterproofing, grading, drainage systems, and slope work in Memphis, Tennessee, should be checked for structural, zoning, stormwater, floodplain, and site inspections.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Demolition Structural Wall Fireplace and Chimney Permit Guide

Interior demolition, load-bearing wall changes, chimney or fireplace work, structural openings, and full-structure removal in Memphis, Tennessee, should be checked for building, trade, utility, environmental, and inspection requirements.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide

Homeowners in Knoxville, Tennessee, planning an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment, basement apartment, or converted living space should confirm zoning, occupancy, utility, parking, and building-permit requirements before design work goes too far.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide

Pool and spa projects in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be checked for building permits, zoning setbacks, electrical bonding, drainage, alarms, gates, and barrier inspections before excavation or delivery.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide

Roof replacement, window replacement, siding, exterior doors, structural repairs, and weatherproofing work in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be checked for permit, historic, energy, wind, and inspection requirements.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide

Remodels in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be checked for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation, egress, waterproofing, and final inspection requirements before walls are closed.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide

Homeowners in Knoxville, Tennessee, planning solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, panel upgrades, or standby generators should coordinate electrical permits, utility requirements, equipment placement, and inspections.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide

Homeowners in Knoxville, Tennessee, should check zoning, right-of-way, drainage, easements, setbacks, fence height, accessory structures, and inspections before building outside the house footprint.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Addition Deck Porch and Patio Cover Permit Guide

Additions, decks, porches, balconies, and patio covers in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be checked for zoning placement, structural plans, footings, ledger connections, stairs, guards, roof loads, and staged inspections.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Electrical Panel Circuit and Rewiring Permit Guide

Panel replacements, service upgrades, new circuits, whole-home rewiring, subpanels, outlets, lighting, and dedicated appliance wiring in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be coordinated with electrical permits, utility requirements, and inspections.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Plumbing Water Heater Repipe and Sewer Permit Guide

Water heaters, repipes, fixture relocations, drain and vent changes, sewer laterals, backflow devices, and gas or water service work in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be checked for plumbing permits and inspection hold points.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee HVAC Heat Pump Gas and Ventilation Permit Guide

Furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, mini-splits, ductwork, gas piping, range hoods, bath fans, and other ventilation work in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be checked for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel-gas permits.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Foundation Retaining Wall Grading and Drainage Permit Guide

Foundation repairs, retaining walls, excavation, fill, waterproofing, grading, drainage systems, and slope work in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be checked for structural, zoning, stormwater, floodplain, and site inspections.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee Demolition Structural Wall Fireplace and Chimney Permit Guide

Interior demolition, load-bearing wall changes, chimney or fireplace work, structural openings, and full-structure removal in Knoxville, Tennessee, should be checked for building, trade, utility, environmental, and inspection requirements.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide

Homeowners in Chattanooga, Tennessee, planning an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment, basement apartment, or converted living space should confirm zoning, occupancy, utility, parking, and building-permit requirements before design work goes too far.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide

Pool and spa projects in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be checked for building permits, zoning setbacks, electrical bonding, drainage, alarms, gates, and barrier inspections before excavation or delivery.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide

Roof replacement, window replacement, siding, exterior doors, structural repairs, and weatherproofing work in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be checked for permit, historic, energy, wind, and inspection requirements.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide

Remodels in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be checked for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation, egress, waterproofing, and final inspection requirements before walls are closed.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide

Homeowners in Chattanooga, Tennessee, planning solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, panel upgrades, or standby generators should coordinate electrical permits, utility requirements, equipment placement, and inspections.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide

Homeowners in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should check zoning, right-of-way, drainage, easements, setbacks, fence height, accessory structures, and inspections before building outside the house footprint.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Addition Deck Porch and Patio Cover Permit Guide

Additions, decks, porches, balconies, and patio covers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be checked for zoning placement, structural plans, footings, ledger connections, stairs, guards, roof loads, and staged inspections.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Electrical Panel Circuit and Rewiring Permit Guide

Panel replacements, service upgrades, new circuits, whole-home rewiring, subpanels, outlets, lighting, and dedicated appliance wiring in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be coordinated with electrical permits, utility requirements, and inspections.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Plumbing Water Heater Repipe and Sewer Permit Guide

Water heaters, repipes, fixture relocations, drain and vent changes, sewer laterals, backflow devices, and gas or water service work in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be checked for plumbing permits and inspection hold points.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee HVAC Heat Pump Gas and Ventilation Permit Guide

Furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, mini-splits, ductwork, gas piping, range hoods, bath fans, and other ventilation work in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be checked for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel-gas permits.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Foundation Retaining Wall Grading and Drainage Permit Guide

Foundation repairs, retaining walls, excavation, fill, waterproofing, grading, drainage systems, and slope work in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be checked for structural, zoning, stormwater, floodplain, and site inspections.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee Demolition Structural Wall Fireplace and Chimney Permit Guide

Interior demolition, load-bearing wall changes, chimney or fireplace work, structural openings, and full-structure removal in Chattanooga, Tennessee, should be checked for building, trade, utility, environmental, and inspection requirements.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide

Homeowners in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, planning an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment, basement apartment, or converted living space should confirm zoning, occupancy, utility, parking, and building-permit requirements before design work goes too far.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide

Pool and spa projects in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be checked for building permits, zoning setbacks, electrical bonding, drainage, alarms, gates, and barrier inspections before excavation or delivery.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide

Roof replacement, window replacement, siding, exterior doors, structural repairs, and weatherproofing work in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be checked for permit, historic, energy, wind, and inspection requirements.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide

Remodels in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be checked for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation, egress, waterproofing, and final inspection requirements before walls are closed.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide

Homeowners in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, planning solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, panel upgrades, or standby generators should coordinate electrical permits, utility requirements, equipment placement, and inspections.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide

Homeowners in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should check zoning, right-of-way, drainage, easements, setbacks, fence height, accessory structures, and inspections before building outside the house footprint.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Addition Deck Porch and Patio Cover Permit Guide

Additions, decks, porches, balconies, and patio covers in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be checked for zoning placement, structural plans, footings, ledger connections, stairs, guards, roof loads, and staged inspections.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Electrical Panel Circuit and Rewiring Permit Guide

Panel replacements, service upgrades, new circuits, whole-home rewiring, subpanels, outlets, lighting, and dedicated appliance wiring in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be coordinated with electrical permits, utility requirements, and inspections.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Plumbing Water Heater Repipe and Sewer Permit Guide

Water heaters, repipes, fixture relocations, drain and vent changes, sewer laterals, backflow devices, and gas or water service work in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be checked for plumbing permits and inspection hold points.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee HVAC Heat Pump Gas and Ventilation Permit Guide

Furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, mini-splits, ductwork, gas piping, range hoods, bath fans, and other ventilation work in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be checked for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel-gas permits.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Foundation Retaining Wall Grading and Drainage Permit Guide

Foundation repairs, retaining walls, excavation, fill, waterproofing, grading, drainage systems, and slope work in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be checked for structural, zoning, stormwater, floodplain, and site inspections.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Demolition Structural Wall Fireplace and Chimney Permit Guide

Interior demolition, load-bearing wall changes, chimney or fireplace work, structural openings, and full-structure removal in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, should be checked for building, trade, utility, environmental, and inspection requirements.

Projects to check first

ProjectWhy it matters
Shed PermitUsually required once the shed exceeds a local size threshold, has a permanent foundation, includes utilities, or violates zoning setbacks.
Fence PermitOften required for tall fences, front-yard fences, corner lots, pool barriers, retaining-wall combinations, and historic districts.
Deck PermitAlmost always required for attached decks, elevated decks, structural repairs, and decks with stairs or guards.
EV Charger PermitUsually required for Level 2 hardwired chargers, panel upgrades, new circuits, and garage wiring changes.
Solar PermitAlmost always required. Solar normally needs building/electrical permits and separate utility interconnection approval.
Bathroom Remodel PermitOften required when plumbing, electrical, framing, ventilation, or waterproofing systems are changed.
HVAC Replacement PermitUsually required for furnace, condenser, heat pump, major duct, gas line, and equipment-location changes.
Basement Finishing PermitUsually required when unfinished space becomes habitable, especially with bedrooms, bathrooms, or new walls.

Best first call

Start with the city building department if the property is inside city limits. If not, call the county building or planning office and ask which authority has jurisdiction for zoning, building, and trade inspections.