Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $100–$250 Exempt if 10x10 or less; larger sheds require a building permit and elevation drawings.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at Metro Nashville Codes Department →

What's Required in Nashville

  • No building permit required for detached accessory sheds 100 square feet or less
  • Shed must not exceed 10 feet in height from grade to highest point
  • Must be located in the rear yard and maintain 3-foot setbacks from property lines
  • Any shed with electrical wiring, plumbing, or gas requires a permit regardless of size
  • Elevation renderings showing structure height required for permitted sheds
  • Sheds over 10x10 must meet IBC/IRC construction standards for wind resistance

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Nashville

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Nashville usually comes down to size. In Nashville, the cutoff is clear: detached sheds of 100 square feet or less don’t need a building permit, while anything larger does. A popular 10x12 shed (120 sq ft) is over the limit and does need a permit. Larger sheds, and any shed with electrical, plumbing, or a permanent foundation, almost always need a permit regardless of footprint.

Building a Shed Without a Permit in Nashville

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Nashville, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay at or under the 100-square-foot limit, sit on a non-permanent base (sheds on skids or a gravel pad are treated more leniently than those on a poured foundation), and have no electrical or plumbing run to it. Crucially, zoning setbacks still apply — your shed usually has to sit a minimum distance from property lines and other structures, and that holds even for a permit-free shed. Confirm both the size exemption and the setback distance with the Metro Nashville Codes Department before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Nashville

1

Step 1: Check Exemption

Measure your shed footprint; 100 sq ft is the maximum exempt size.

2

Step 2: Survey Preparation

Identify setbacks from property lines and house using a plot plan.

3

Step 3: Portal Submission

Apply for a 'Building Residential' permit on the ePermits portal if over threshold.

4

Step 4: Fee Payment

Pay the valuation-based permit fee ($100 minimum) online.

5

Step 5: Inspection

Schedule a final structural inspection once the shed is anchored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, any shed larger than 10x10 feet (100 sq ft) requires a permit.
Typically 10 feet max for accessory storage structures in residential zones.
No, accessory buildings must be placed in the side or rear yards.
In Nashville, sheds of 100 square feet or less can be built without a building permit; anything larger needs one. The exemption usually also requires no permanent foundation and no electrical or plumbing, and zoning setbacks from property lines still apply even without a permit.
Often not, if it’s also within Nashville’s 100 sq ft limit and has no utilities — many jurisdictions treat a shed on skids or a gravel pad as movable rather than a permanent building. A poured foundation or any electrical/plumbing typically triggers a permit. Confirm with the Metro Nashville Codes Department; zoning setbacks apply either way.