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Room 101, 1 S Public Square
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
615-898-7734
8:00AM - 4:30PM
[email protected]
Murfreesboro City Code
Smyrna Codes
Lavergne Codes
International Code Council
Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation
Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County
Department of Commerce & Insurance
The Codes Departments of Rutherford County regulate the use of property through the enforcement of the Zoning Laws and Building Standards. It also causes the enforcement of other laws and resolutions through the permitting process. The receipt of a business license does not automatically approve your location for a business activity.
If you are opening a business or are changing the type of business that previously occupied the property you are considering, then USE AND OCCUPANCY PERMITS will be required prior to opening the business. Any business that plans to build or make renovations is required to have BUILDING PERMITS prior to construction and occupancy.
Any new signs or alterations to existing signs displayed on the exterior of the building or on site, whether permanent or temporary, require SIGN PERMITS.
HOME BASED BUSINESSES AND CHILD CARE are required to have Use and Occupancy Permits.
FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER PERMITS prior to opening a business could result in fines or even the relocation of a business if Code Standards cannot be met at the current location.
Permits or information can be obtained by calling:
(615) 898-7730 – Rutherford County Zoning Questions; Building Codes - 898-7734
(615) 893-6441 – Murfreesboro Zoning Questions; Building Codes - 893-3750
(615) 793-6295 – LaVergne Zoning or Building Codes Questions
(615) 355-5704 – Smyrna Zoning or Building Codes Questions
(615) 274-6992 – Eagleville Zoning Questions
All commercial projects located within Rutherford County, regardless of type, size or use, will require a Plans Review to be completed prior to a building permit being issued.
All items listed on the checklist on the reverse of this handout must be submitted (preferably electronic, but paper is equally acceptable) before a plans review can be completed.
A plans review will not be completed until all required documents are received.
Once all the required documents have been received by the Plans Coordinator, they will be submitted to the Plans Examiner for review, which is typically completed within 3 – 5 business days depending on work load.
If/when necessary, the plans coordinator may schedule a plans review team meeting. The review team includes any, or all, of the following: Plans Coordinator, Plans Examiner/Building Official, County Engineer (or designee), County Fire Chief, a representative from Consolidated Utility District, owner, Contractor, Architect and/or Structural Engineer.
The review team will review and discuss the project for any requirements or issues associated with their respective agencies. All comments and requirements from said meeting will be added to the Plans Review and passed along to the applicant. If there are any items that are required to be addressed prior to permit issuance, the applicant will be immediately notified by phone or email.
When all requirements have been met, a building permit can then be issued. The plans coordinator will notify the applicant when the permit is available along with the cost of the permit.
Please note that not all commercial projects will require all items on the attached check list, nor will all commercial projects require a plan review meeting. This will be determined by the plans coordinator and the applicant will be notified.
Plans Coordinator – Misty Whaley 615-898-7734 or [email protected]
Plans Examiner – Tanya Bell 615-898-7734 or [email protected]
Fire Chief – Larry Farley 615-867-4626 or [email protected]
Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions regarding the plans review and/or the permitting process, we will be glad to assist you.
Commercial Plans Review Checklist
Drawings should include mechanical and plumbing designs where applicable
ICC International Building Code - 2018 Edition
ICC International Plumbing Code -2018 Edition
ICC International Mechanical Code -2018
ICC International Fuel Gas Code -2018 Edition
ICC International Fire Code -2018 Edition
ICC International Energy Conservation Code-2018
All of the above codes have been adopted with local amendments which can be found here.
All plans for new construction, tenant build-outs and renovations must have the following code information noted on them and the manner in which compliance has been achieved:
Drawn to scale
All applicable codes
Allowable height and area
Construction type
Occupancy classification
Exit travel distances
Life safety plan
Number of stories
Total building area (s.f.)
Spinklered or unsprinklered
Rated walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, doors, etc.
Emergency exits and lighting
Commercial Plans Review Checklist
Any questions regarding Commercial Permits should be directed to Misty Whaley at [email protected].