Short Answer
YesMetro Nashville requires a permit from the Department of Codes and Building Safety to demolish any building or structure or part of one. The work must start within 30 days of issue and finish within 60 days after that, and an affidavit confirming the start must be filed within 30 days or the permit is void.
Source: Metro Nashville Code Chapter 16.28: Building Permits (linked under Sources below)
Nashville Demolition Permits at a Glance
- Demolition permits, last 12 months
- 203
- Median application to issue
- 12 days
- Slowest quarter took at least
- 29 days
- Whole-building demolitions
- 175
Of the 8 cities we track for demolition, Nashville ranks 2 of 8 by median wait. The median declared job value on these permits was $10,000.
Who Can Apply and Do the Work
The application is filed with the director of codes administration, describes the work and its location, and is signed by the owner or an authorized agent. Every demolition permit also goes through the Waste Services Debris Management Review form.
What You Need Before the Permit Is Issued
- A Debris Management Review form submitted online.
- Historic review: for a building listed on or eligible for the National Register, or meeting the state's historic residential criteria, the historic zoning administrator must approve the demolition, with up to 90 days to act.
- In a historic overlay district, signed affidavits from the contractor and subcontractors that they understand the limits of the demolition.
What Else to Know in Nashville
A permit cannot be issued if, in the past 12 months, the applicant or owner was found by a court to have violated a stop work order on the property or illegally demolished a historic residential structure on it. The fee is set using the cost of the demolition contract under Metro's permit fee schedule, and residential demolition permits do not pay a separate plans examination fee.
Nashville Demolition Permit Fees
Nashville does not publish a flat demolition fee we could verify, so we don't quote one. The fee is set when you apply. For scale, the median declared value of demolition work on recent permits was $10,000.
What Nashville's Demolition Permit Data Shows
| Type of demolition | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Whole building | 175 | 86% |
| Garage, shed or other accessory structure | 22 | 11% |
| Partial demolition | 6 | 3% |
Demolition Permits Issued per Month
Types are classified from each permit's description. Permits whose type or description is demolition, excluding interior, selective and remodel-only work. Data from Metro Nashville Building Permits Issued, October 30, 2025 to October 30, 2026.
Where Demolitions Are Happening
| ZIP code | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| 37205 | 26 |
| 37209 | 24 |
| 37206 | 21 |
| 37207 | 13 |
| 37215 | 12 |
| 37211 | 12 |
Recent Demolition Permits
| Issued | Work as described by the city |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-28 | To demolish the existing single family home on lot. Work per this permit must commence within thirty (30) days |
| 2026-10-28 | Demolish existing home, nothing is to be burned or buried on current land parcel. |
| 2026-10-27 | To demolish existing structures to finished grade. Nothing is to be buried or burned on current land parcel. |
| 2026-10-27 | To demolish existing residential building, nothing to remain. Not to be burned on site. Work on this demolitio |
| 2026-10-26 | To demolish the detached garage on the property to the rear of the residence. R6 zoning. Neighborhood conserva |
| 2026-10-26 | To demolish the existing single family home on property. Work per this permit must commence within thirty (30) |
How to Get a Demolition Permit in Nashville
- Check historic and landmark status first. It is the step most likely to add weeks or months.
- Line up the prerequisites listed above, starting with the asbestos survey, pest control and utility disconnections.
- Hire a contractor licensed for demolition where Nashville requires one, and sign a written contract.
- Apply, post any required notice, and wait out the notice period before work begins.
- Pass the final inspection and keep the permit with your property records, especially if you plan to rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Nashville?
Metro Nashville requires a permit from the Department of Codes and Building Safety to demolish any building or structure or part of one. The work must start within 30 days of issue and finish within 60 days after that, and an affidavit confirming the start must be filed within 30 days or the permit is void.
How long does a demolition permit take in Nashville?
For the 203 demolition permits issued between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026 with both dates published, the median time from application to issue was 12 days, and a quarter took 29 days or longer, according to the city's open data.
How many demolition permits does Nashville issue?
203 in the 12 months to October 30, 2026. About 86% were for whole buildings, 11% for garages, sheds and other accessory structures, and 3% for partial demolitions, based on the permit descriptions.
How long is a Nashville demolition permit valid?
Work must begin within 30 days of issue and be completed within 60 days after it starts, unless an extension is granted, and an affidavit confirming the start must be filed within 30 days.
Related Permit Guides
- Nashville Building Permits
- Demolition Permit Requirements: What Cities Require Before You Tear Down
- Chicago Demolition Permit Requirements
- Seattle Demolition Permit Requirements
- Philadelphia Demolition Permit Requirements
- Austin Demolition Permit Requirements
- Los Angeles Demolition Permit Requirements
- Kansas City Demolition Permit Requirements
- New York Demolition Permit Requirements
- San Diego Demolition Permit Requirements
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- Metro Nashville Code Chapter 16.28: Building Permits (library.municode.com)
- Metro Nashville Waste Services: Construction and Demolition Debris Management Plans (nashville.gov)
- Metro Nashville Codes: Permit Fee Calculations (filetransfer.nashville.gov)
- Metro Nashville Building Permits Issued (data.nashville.gov)