Driveway permit in Brentwood, TN
Yes — you need a permit for driveway work in Brentwood.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 58-38 |
| Based on | City Code of Ordinances |
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 | No size threshold in the code |
| Franklin | 7 mi | Yes | A driveway entirely on private property is exempt from a … |
| Smyrna | 14 mi | Depends | The driveway slab itself is exempt, but cutting the curb … |
| Hendersonville | 24 mi | Depends | required for a driveway curb cut across a curb or sidewal… |
| Goodlettsville | 24 mi | Depends | if the driveway joins or cuts a public right-of-way (curb… |
| Gallatin | 32 mi | Depends | The driveway slab itself is exempt as a driveway; a permi… |
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.