Demolition permit in Brentwood, TN
Yes — you need a permit for demolition work in Brentwood.
90-day waiting period before a permit issues if the structure is over 75 years old or on a historically significant site
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | 90-day waiting period before a permit issues if the struc… |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 14-68 |
| Based on | IRC 2018 as amended |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Brentwood building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Brentwood's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood | — | Yes | 90-day waiting period before a permit issues if the struc… |
| Franklin | 7 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Smyrna | 14 mi | Yes | Demolishing a structure or part of one needs a permit. De… |
| Hendersonville | 24 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Farragut | 145 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Memphis | 190 mi | Yes | You cannot tear down any house or building in Memphis wit… |
Other work in Brentwood
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Brentwood can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.