If you're shopping for a portable building in Middle Tennessee, one of the first questions that comes up is whether you'll need a building permit. The answer isn't as simple as yes or no—Tennessee has a unique system where permit requirements vary dramatically depending on which county you live in and whether you're inside city limits.
How Tennessee's Building Permit System Works
Tennessee has a three-tier permitting system that varies dramatically by location. Major cities like Nashville, Memphis, and Clarksville enforce their own building codes locally. In areas where the local government does not enforce codes, the State Fire Marshal's Office steps in. And some cities and counties have opted out of statewide building standards for residential construction entirely, meaning no residential building permits are required in those areas.
Tennessee law allows counties to opt out of the state residential building code by vote of the county legislative body. The opt-out must be renewed every 180 days or it becomes invalid. Many rural counties, particularly in central and eastern Tennessee, have opted out. If your county has opted out, no building permits are required for residential construction, including portable buildings and sheds.
What's Required in Humphreys County and Surrounding Areas?
Here in Waverly and Humphreys County, the rules are straightforward for most buyers. Humphreys County does not have its own building codes, so permits should be obtained from the state for residential buildings in the unincorporated county. However, if you're placing a building inside city limits—Waverly, New Johnsonville, or McEwen—different rules may apply, and you should check with the city office.
The permit picture varies significantly across PAC's service area:
- Benton County: The county itself has opted out of the state's building code, so no permit is required in the unincorporated county. However, Camden City has adopted building codes, which means structures and building projects require a permit within Camden city limits—confirm requirements with the Camden city office.
- Dickson County: Requirements vary—contact your county codes office to confirm whether a permit is needed for your specific location and building type.
- Carroll County: Carroll County has opted out of adopting Tennessee's state-wide residential building code.
- Houston County, Perry County, and Hickman County: Requirements vary—contact your county clerk to confirm current opt-out status and whether a permit is needed.
The bottom line: before you buy or place a portable building anywhere in Middle Tennessee, call your county clerk, building codes department, or city hall to confirm the current requirements. Opt-out status can change every six months, and what's true in one county may not apply ten miles down the road.
Get a free quote at pacbuildingpro.com or call (931) 296-2777.
When Does Size Matter for Permits?
In jurisdictions that do require permits, the size of your portable building often determines whether you need one. Size thresholds vary by location—some jurisdictions set a 200-square-foot threshold, while others are stricter.
Nashville's permitting instructions specifically reference storage buildings including portable storage buildings of 100 square feet or more as requiring a permit, which is significantly stricter than the state code's 200-square-foot threshold. If you're in Davidson County or any of the larger cities in Middle Tennessee, expect tighter rules.
Size thresholds vary by location—contact your local codes office to find out what applies where you live.
Do Agricultural Buildings Need Permits?
Tennessee provides an exemption for buildings used for legitimate agricultural purposes. All nonresidential farm buildings are exempt from the state residential code, meaning structures on working farms used directly for farming operations, barns, equipment storage, and livestock shelters generally don't require permits.
But there's a catch: to qualify for the agricultural exemption, the property must be actively used for commercial agricultural production. Agriculture is defined as the land, buildings, and machinery used in the commercial production of farm products and nursery stock. An agricultural use or activity must involve the commercial production of farm products or nursery stock.
If you're using a building for hobby farming, personal livestock, or residential storage on a country property, that typically won't qualify for the agricultural exemption. The building needs to support a genuine commercial farming operation.
What About Engineered Plans and Inspections?
Whether you need engineered or PE-stamped plans depends entirely on the local codes department for your county and whether your site is inside city limits. Many rural Middle Tennessee counties do not require engineered or stamped plans, while some cities and counties do.
PAC Building Pro provides building drawings engineered for the local snow and wind loads for all our structures. We can provide PE-stamped plans on request when a county requires them—there's an added cost and lead time for the stamping process. Never assume stamped plans are required; confirm the requirements with your county or city codes office, since rules vary by location.
The building permit itself is the customer's responsibility. We're happy to provide the documentation you need, but you'll need to check locally to find out exactly what's required and submit the permit application yourself.
How Much Do Building Permits Cost in Tennessee?
Building permit fees in Tennessee vary by jurisdiction and project scope. Residential permits typically range depending on project value and the fee structure in your county or city.
Some counties charge a flat fee for accessory buildings under a certain size. Others calculate the fee as a percentage of the declared project value. Still others don't charge permit fees at all because they've opted out of the building code.
When you contact your local codes office to confirm whether a permit is required, ask about the fee structure so you can budget accordingly.
| Location Type | Permit Likely Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Opt-out county (unincorporated) | No | Zoning setbacks may still apply |
| City limits (most cities) | Yes | Often stricter than county rules |
| County with state code | Varies by size and location | Size thresholds vary by jurisdiction |
| Commercial farm use | Exempt | Must be legitimate commercial ag operation |
What Should You Do Before Buying a Portable Building?
Before you order or place a portable building anywhere in Middle Tennessee, take these steps:
- Contact your county clerk or building codes department to confirm whether your county has opted out of the state building code.
- If you're inside city limits, call city hall to ask about permit requirements and any size thresholds.
- Ask whether engineered or PE-stamped plans are required for your building size and use.
- Confirm any zoning setback requirements—how far the building must sit from property lines, septic systems, or other structures.
- Ask about permit fees and the timeline for approval, especially if you're on a schedule.
Once you know what's required, we can provide the drawings and documentation you need to move forward. PAC delivers portable buildings across Middle Tennessee—from Waverly and Humphreys County to Houston, Benton, Perry, Hickman, and Dickson counties, and out to places like Clarksville, Nashville, Columbia, and Jackson. We also deliver prefab packages to nearby western Kentucky, including Murray, Cadiz, and Hopkinsville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need a permit for a shed in Tennessee?
No, permit requirements for sheds and portable buildings in Tennessee vary dramatically by jurisdiction. Many rural counties have opted out of building codes entirely and don't require permits for residential construction, while cities and some counties do require permits. Contact your local codes office to confirm what's required where you live.
Does Humphreys County require a building permit for a portable building?
Humphreys County does not have its own building codes, so permits should be obtained from the state for residential buildings in the unincorporated county. If you're placing a building inside Waverly, New Johnsonville, or McEwen city limits, check with the city office for local requirements.
Can I avoid a permit if my building is used for farming?
Tennessee exempts nonresidential farm buildings from the state residential code, but to qualify, the property must be actively used for commercial agricultural production. Hobby farms and residential use don't qualify for the agricultural exemption.
Are engineered plans always required for a portable building in Tennessee?
No, whether you need engineered or PE-stamped plans depends entirely on your local codes department and whether you're inside city limits. Many rural Middle Tennessee counties do not require stamped plans, while some cities and counties do—confirm with your local codes office before you buy.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you need a utility shed in Waverly, a workshop in Dickson County, or a storage barn in Benton County, PAC Building Pro can help. We'll provide the building drawings and documentation you need to satisfy local requirements, and we're always happy to answer questions about what works best for your property.
Get a free, no-pressure quote today at pacbuildingpro.com or give us a call at (931) 296-2777. We're a family-run builder based right here in Waverly, and we'd be glad to help you figure out exactly what you need.