Garage permit in Murfreesboro, TN
It depends — some garage work in Murfreesboro needs a permit, some doesn't.
Detached one-story garage ≤200 sq ft is exempt; attached garage or any garage >200 sq ft requires a permit
| Permit needed? | Depends on size |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Over 200 |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2 |
| Based on | IRC 2018 as adopted by City of Murfreesboro (Ord. No. 18-O-71, §4, 01-17-19) |
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.
If you skip it
Work commencing before permit issuance requires payment of two times the established permit fee
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 | — | Depends | Over 200 |
| Smyrna | 10 mi | Depends | Over 100 |
| La Vergne | 14 mi | Depends | Over 120 |
| Nolensville | 16 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
| Brentwood | 22 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
| Mount Juliet | 24 mi | Depends | Over 200 |
Other work in Murfreesboro
Questions people ask
My garage 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?
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.