BuildingPermitCost How Rutherford County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using $0.70 per square foot. Plan review is a separate charge: a flat $200.00. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
New dwelling / addition of new living space
$0.70 per square foot.
Remodel / finish expandable or basement area
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $20,000 | $110.00 |
| $20,001 – $50,000 | $110.00 for the first $20,000 + $5.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $260.00 for the first $50,000 + $4.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $460.00 for the first $100,000 + $3.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $500,000 | $1,660.00 for the first $500,000 + $2.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
What counts as project value
Floor area (square feet). New dwellings and additions of new living space: $0.70 per square foot under beam (all square footage, finished/unfinished, conditioned/unconditioned, interior/exterior). Remodels, basement/expandable finishes, accessory structures, decks etc.: valuation = proposed sq ft x a county unit value ($74/sf remodel; $45 portable storage; $20 deck/porch/carport), rounded up to the nearest thousand, then the valuation table. Mobile homes, pools, signs: contract value.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: 2,400 sq ft × $0.70 = $1,680.00
- Total before trade permits: $1,680.00.
Fees people miss
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| School Facilities Tax (residential)When: new residential floor area | $1.50 per sq ft of floor area |
| Re-inspection fee (3rd and subsequent re-inspection)When: 3rd or later re-inspection | $95.00 each |
| Temporary certificate of occupancyWhen: temporary CO requested | $95.00 admin fee |
| Special foundation permit (building official authorization only)When: special foundation permit | $110.00 each |
| Temporary parking permit (180 days, B.O. authorization only)When: temporary parking permit | $110.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Plumbing: Plumbing permit whole house $175; addition/remodel/mobile home/accessory $110. Mechanical: Mechanical permit (new equipment) $35 per ton. Gas permit $40 base + $6.50 per fixture. Electrical: Not listed in the county residential schedule (electrical inspections are not covered by the building permit fee).
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value and floor area.
- Submit to Rutherford County Building Codes Department.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 615-898-7734 · 1 South Public Square, Room 101, Murfreesboro, TN