ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Murfreesboro, TN
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Murfreesboro.
A new accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita) is new residential construction; the R105.2 200 sq ft detached-accessory-structure exemption applies only to non-habitable structures, not to a dwelling unit.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | A new accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita) … |
| Fee | Permit fees are set by the City Council; no amount is listed in the code. |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 7-11 (IRC 2018 R105.2) |
| Based on | IRC 2018 as adopted by the City (Sec. 7-11) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Murfreesboro 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
Work commencing before permit issuance requires paying two times the established permit fee; violations punishable by a fine not exceeding $50.00 per day.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murfreesboro | — | Yes | A new accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita) … |
| Smyrna | 10 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| La Vergne | 14 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Nolensville | 16 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Brentwood | 22 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Mount Juliet | 24 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Tennessee city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Murfreesboro
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Murfreesboro?
Permit fees are set by the City Council; no amount is listed in the code.. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Murfreesboro 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.