Do You Need a Roofing Permit in Nashville?

Short answer
Usually yes

Nashville requires a building permit to install roofing, or to replace more than one-third of the roof. Repairs to an existing roof up to 33% of the roof area count as normal maintenance.

Source: Metro Nashville Codes: Residential Building Permit Procedures

A roofer carrying a bundle of shingles across a residential roof
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Nashville Roofing Permits at a Glance

Permits, last 12 months
1,158
Issued, last 30 days
107
Median application to issue
27 days
Median declared job value
$80,100
Issuing office
Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety
Rule last checked
October 30, 2026

Permits Issued per Month

75 Nov 79 Dec 78 Jan 92 Feb 102 Mar 115 Apr 97 May 96 Jun 102 Jul 104 Aug 104 Sep 107 Oct
Nashville roofing permits issued per month, Nov 2025 to Oct 2026. Lighter bar = current month to date.

Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to roofing work. Data from Metro Nashville Building Permits Issued, refreshed October 30, 2026.

What Nashville's Rules Say

  • Permit: new roof layer or replacing more than 1/3 of the roof.
  • Exempt: repairs up to 33% of the roof area.
  • Replacing more than 64 sq ft of roof decking needs a permit.

Nashville Roofing Permit Fees

We have not verified Nashville's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety sets the fee when you apply.

Busiest Areas for Roofing Permits

ZIP codePermits (12 mo)
37203117
3720584
3720974
3720772
3721170
3720661

How to Get a Roofing Permit in Nashville

  1. Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
  2. Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
  3. Apply with the Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety through the official department website.
  4. Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.

Recent Nashville Roofing Permits

IssuedAddressWork
2026-10-281209 Brown StTo erect 1 non-illuminated, 6sqft, shingle sign for Eberjey. Shingle sign must comply with SP Zoning Ordinance #BL2021-8
2026-10-28135 2Nd Ave NTo erect 1 non-illuminated, 9sqft, shingle sign for T2 Investments. Shingle sign must comply with MHZC historic sign per
2026-10-281104 Dodson St***DUPLEX - DO NOT AUTHORIZE TRADES***To remove existing 2 X 8 floor joists on 24 centers and replace with 2 X 10 floor
2026-10-27303 31St Ave N 103To conduct new tenant build-out for BELLCHASE BAKEHOUSE (restaurant, take-out). No change to exterior building/roof line
2026-10-27601 B S 13Th StTo construct a DADU facing the alley with a footprint of 849 sf, 707 sf of living space on the second floor, 849 sf of u
2026-10-27503 Cleveland StTo construct Building 2 , a 3-story building establishing two single-family stacked flats. Unit 3 (addressed as 503 Clev
2026-10-27895 N 5Th StTo construct Building 1 , a 3-story building establishing two single-family stacked flats. Unit 1 (addressed as 895 N 5t
2026-10-27439 Opry Mills DrPERMIT AMENDMENT ONLY for CACR-2026072636. To include removal of one hood over bread oven only. Interior only. No change
2026-10-272704 W Linden AveRENO roof, siding and drywall inside no change to foot print. NO HVAC -- NO PLUMBING-- NEED ELECTRICAL TRADE OPENED THE
2026-10-26117 B Alton RdTo install a 16' X 36' concrete swimming pool and 8.5' X 8.5' spa to the rear of existing single family home. Minimum si

Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.

Nashville Roofing Contractors: Get Weekly Permit Lists

Contractors: get new permits for your trade and city every Monday. Join the waitlist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a roofing permit in Nashville?

Usually yes. Nashville requires a building permit to install roofing, or to replace more than one-third of the roof. Repairs to an existing roof up to 33% of the roof area count as normal maintenance.

How many roofing permits does Nashville issue?

Nashville issued 1,158 permits matching roofing work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 97 a month. The busiest month was Apr 2026 with 115.

How much does a roofing permit cost in Nashville?

We have not yet verified Nashville's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety when you apply.

How long does it take to get a roofing permit in Nashville?

Based on the city's records, the median time from application to issue for these permits was 27 days over the last 12 months.

Who issues roofing permits in Nashville?

The Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety.

Related Permit Guides

Written and maintained by the Home Permit Guide Editorial TeamPlaceholder profile

Last updated

This is a placeholder editorial profile. A named reviewer with verifiable experience will be added here. Until then, every rule on this page links to the official government source it was checked against. Read our editorial policy.

Sources

Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.

  1. Metro Nashville Codes: Residential Building Permit Procedures (linked above) (nashville.gov)
  2. Metro Nashville Codes: Projects That May or May Not Require a Permit (filetransfer.nashville.gov)