Deck permit in La Vergne, TN
It depends — some deck work in La Vergne needs a permit, some doesn't.
over 120 sq ft, or more than 30 inches above grade, or attached to the house, or serving a required exit door
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 120 sq ft |
| Fee | Set by the fee schedule adopted with the annual budget. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | R105.2 Item #10 as amended (Sec. 12-602) |
| Based on | IRC 2018 as amended |
Most building codes exempt a deck up to 200 sq ft. La Vergne is stricter — the cutoff here is just 120 sq ft.
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the La Vergne 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.
If you skip it
Fine under the general penalty clause and/or permit revocation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Vergne | — | Depends | Over 120 sq ft |
| Smyrna | 4 mi | Depends | Over 100 sq ft |
| Nolensville | 8 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Brentwood | 12 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Mount Juliet | 13 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
| Murfreesboro | 14 mi | Depends | Over 200 sq ft |
Other work in La Vergne
- Fence Depends
- Deck Depends
- Shed Depends
- Swimming Pool Depends
- Roof Replacement Depends
- Water Heater —
- HVAC Replacement Depends
- Electrical Panel Yes
- Demolition —
- Driveway —
- Tree Removal —
- Sign —
- Short-Term Rental —
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Yes
- Garage Depends
- Basement Yes
- Above-Ground Pool Depends
Questions people ask
My deck is right at the limit. Does that count?
The exemption has to fit exactly — if the code says a size or height, being at or under it keeps you exempt, and going a single inch over doesn't. When you're close to the line, measure before you buy materials, and call the department if the number is borderline.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
La Vergne 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.