ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Nolensville, TN
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Nolensville.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | New dwelling units are subject to a road impact fee at building permit issuance: $4,594.00 per single-family detached / $2,527.00 per multi-family dwelling (§5-404); building permit fee set separately by Board of Commissioners ordinance (not stated in code) |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | R105.2 Work exempt from permit (Building) / R101 scope; road impact fee §5-404 |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as adopted & amended by the Town of Nolensville (§12-401, Ord. No. 25-07, 5-1-2025) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Nolensville 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
Commencing work without an approved building permit is subject to a payment of double (2X) the required building permit fee (§12-102)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nolensville | — | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Brentwood | 6 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| La Vergne | 8 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Smyrna | 8 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Franklin | 11 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Murfreesboro | 16 mi | Yes | A new accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, casita) … |
See every Tennessee city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Nolensville
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Nolensville?
New dwelling units are subject to a road impact fee at building permit issuance: $4,594.00 per single-family detached / $2,527.00 per multi-family dwelling (§5-404); building permit fee set separately by Board of Commissioners ordinance (not stated in 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?
Nolensville 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.