Deck Permits in Robertson County, TN: A Step-by-Step Guide to Permits

TL:DR - Deck Permits in Robertson County, TN

  • Determine Jurisdiction First: Your permit requirements depend on whether your property is in unincorporated Robertson County or within city limits, such as Springfield.
  • Permit is Required: Plan to obtain a building permit, especially for decks over 30 inches above grade.
  • Gather Key Documents: You must prepare a septic/sewer tap receipt, recorded deed, land survey/GIS data, and construction drawings that comply with the 2021 International Building Codes.
  • Avoid Delays and Penalties: Submit your complete application via the iWorQ online portal for a 2–3 business-day review, and do not begin construction before obtaining the permit, as fees can be doubled.

You can plan a deck in one evening.

But permits? That takes more foresight and planning.

Because in Robertson County, the details matter. You need to consider county versus city limits. Setbacks. Site plans. Drawings. Fees. Inspections. The list goes on.

If you miss a step, your timeline can stretch due to do-overs and resubmissions.

Here’s the good news—you don’t have to carry all of that alone!

At Keystone Custom Decks, we help homeowners build decks that look amazing and make sense on paper. That means we think through the practical stuff early—so you’re not scrambling later.

What that looks like for you:

  • Clear guidance on what your local office may ask for
  • Deck plans and details that support a smoother permit review
  • A process that stays organized from design to build day

So what’s the permitting process like? 

Let’s walk through how the Robertson County permit process works—step by step.

Table of Contents

First Things First: What Jurisdiction Are You In?

Are you in Robertson County or in one of its cities? This matters more than most people realize.

In Robertson County, you might be regulated by:

  • Robertson County Planning/Development Office, which often serves unincorporated areas. 
  • A city's code department, if you live within city limits, such as Springfield or Greenbrier, which have their own permitting rules and processes.
Robertson County TN homeowner reviewing deck building permit requirements on phone and laptop before starting deck construction project

Quick tip: If you’re not sure, call the Robertson County Planning office and ask what jurisdiction your address falls under. Their contact info is listed on the county site. 

Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Robertson County?

Here’s the most accurate way to think about it:

If you’re in Springfield (or other) city limits

Springfield’s “Do I need a permit?” page says a permit is required to build a deck that is over 30 inches above ground. 

If you’re in unincorporated Robertson County

Robertson County Planning issues building permits and provides a checklist for what you must gather “for all structures” before a permit can be issued.

In plain terms, if you’re building a deck, you should plan on going through the county’s building permit process—and confirm your exact requirements with the Development Office. 

5 items Robertson County wants in order before issuing a building permit

Robertson County has a few unique requirements when it comes to building a deck. Their website “How to Acquire a Building Permit” page outlines the permit order, with a few exceptions. But here’s what you’ll actually need:

  • Septic permit or sewer tap receipt

The county directs you to get an actual septic permit or sewer tap receipt first. While this is unrelated to the deck, the county requests this to ensure you are not building your deck over the septic system. 

  • Recorded deed

You’ll need to provide a recorded deed of the current owner as part of the process, to prove that you are the owner of said property.

  • Survey (if not on the tax map / or subdivision plat) or GIS map 

You’ll need land survey data or a subdivision plat. The Planning Department will accept Geographic Information System (GIS) data. You can obtain your GIS data from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Property Assessment Data portal. 

If your property is not listed in the GIS portal, you will need to hire a surveyor to record that data.

  • Site plan drawing

You’ll need a site plan showing the house and key site features. The county specifically calls out the house, road, driveway, all buildings, and septic tank/field lines.

The county’s permit form also requires property-line measurements, which are helpful for setback review.

  • Construction drawings (the “how it’s built” pages)

The county requires legible, detailed construction drawings and notes they must comply with the 2021 International Building Codes and 2018 Energy codes.

Minigraphic 1

Note that you’ll also need a Tennessee Engineer’s Stamp on your drawings if your design requires any trusses.

What you don’t need for a deck permit in Robertson County

Robertson County’s planning office acknowledges that its permit requirements page can be confusing. So, unless you’re adding a deck to a home you’re building, you will not need to submit:

  1. A Water Tap or Meter Receipt from your water provider
  2. A Driveway Permit

However, the planning office would prefer to spend time answering questions rather than coming back to you after the fact for not submitting all required paperwork, or worse, after the deck is built. Always contact the planning office with any questions. They are always happy to help!

How to submit your permit request in Robertson County

Robertson County uses an online portal, iWorQ, for permit requests. 

Key details from the county:

  • Requests are reviewed within 2–3 business days after submission 
  • You can call the Development Office and select the permits option for help
  • All required documents must be provided before a permit can be issued 

After review, the county will contact you to arrange payment of the fees and to collect the permit.

What does a Robertson County building permit cost?

Robertson County lists residential permit fees right on the website’s fee schedule.

Here are the cost pieces you’ll want to understand:

Residential building permit fee (square-foot method)

For decks, your fees could fall under one of the following categories:

  • Residential Building Permit: $0.70 × total square feet (livable space + porches, garages, storage, basements, etc.) 
  • Additions / Porches / Garages / Storage Buildings, etc.: $0.70 per sq ft 
  • Residential remodeling/renovation: $0.50 per sq ft 
Minigraphic 2

A deck is often reviewed as part of an addition/porch-type scope, so you should reach out to the office to confirm how they’ll calculate your specific project.

Adequate Facilities Tax (AFT)

Robertson County lists an Adequate Facilities Tax for residential permits as:

  • $1.50 per heated/cooled square foot of livable space

For a typical open deck, this may not apply if you’re looking at enclosing part of your deck—but as usual, never assume. Be sure to ask them when you submit.

Other common add-ons

  • Mechanical permit: $100, if you’re looking at installing gas piping for outdoor kitchens, firepits, or hot tubs
  • Plumbing permit: $100, a definite plus if running water is needed on your deck for something like, say an outdoor kitchen
  • Archives/Records fee: $5 

Two big “avoid this” fees

If you start construction first, Robertson County’s fee schedule warns that the permit fee can be doubled if construction begins before obtaining the required zoning compliance permit.

Deck building permit penalty notice with calculator and cash showing potential fines for building a deck without a permit in Tennessee

Also, reinspections incur an additional fee. 

In short, don’t proceed until you have all the required permits.

Timeline: how long will it take?

The county says requests submitted through iWorQ are reviewed within 2–3 business days.

  • The “real” timeline depends on your paperwork

Most delays come from missing items:

  • No site plan
  • Unclear drawings
  • Missing septic/water documentation
  • Setbacks not shown

So the fastest path is simple: submit a complete package the first time.

  • What about inspections?

Robertson County Planning states it conducts inspections as required to ensure compliance.

If you’re in Springfield, they list common building inspections as:

  • Footing
  • Framing
  • Final

Similarly, Tennessee’s residential permit FAQ outlines a typical inspection pattern (foundation, rough-in/framing, final) and notes that timing expectations are within three working days of inspection request.

But remember—Exact inspection requirements can vary by jurisdiction, so confirm yours.

5 local rules that can shape your deck design

It’s human nature to ignore or put off what you don’t want to deal with, so when it comes to building something they want, this is the part people skip until they find out their deck can’t go where they planned. 

For your sanity, consider these five local rules:

  • Your zoning district drives setbacks

Robertson County’s zoning resolution includes minimum yard setbacks that vary by district.

For example, Table 6-5-B (Duplex / Multi-Family / Nonresidential in Ag/Residential districts) shows front-yard setbacks ranging from 30 to 100 feet, depending on the zoning district, along with side/rear setbacks and other limits.

  • Accessory structure placement rules can apply

The zoning resolution also states in Table 6-5.2 (in the residential district section) that accessory structures:

  • cannot be located in a required front yard
  • must be at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines (and from any building on the same lot)

So, whether your deck is treated as part of the principal structure (attached) or as an accessory (detached) affects how this is applied. To avoid any redos in your application, confirm with your local office.

  • Steep slope lots may require extra approvals

Building on sloped land is more difficult and can be dangerous if not done correctly. If your lot has slopes of 15% or more, Article IV, in Section 4-102.104 (Lots Located on Steep Slopes), states that no building permit shall be issued until a site plan meeting specific requirements has been approved.

That’s not to say that your deck on your slope is a no-go; it’s just that your application would require more scrutiny to ensure there won’t be problems in future issues.

  • Flood documentation may be required

Do you live in a flood zone? Robertson County notes that a Flood Elevation Certificate and/or sprinkler plan (though that may only apply to commercial or multi-family structures) may be required if applicable.

  • Guardrail safety rules (the “30-inch rule”)

If your deck is elevated, guardrails are critical. While there aren’t statistics specifically mentioning people falling off decks because of guardrails, properly installed guardrails are necessary for safety (as well as keeping you safe from getting sued).

Flooded Tennessee neighborhood street highlighting importance of proper deck permits, drainage planning, and local building codes in Robertson County TN

The 2018 IRC requires guards on open-sided walking surfaces more than 30 inches above grade and sets a minimum guard height of 36 inches in typical residential applications.

How Keystone Custom Decks TN helps Robertson County homeowners

We get it—permits aren’t exciting.

But they’re the part that protects your investment.

When your deck is designed with local rules in mind, everything gets easier:

  • Fewer surprises
  • Fewer delays
  • Fewer moments of “wait… we have to redo that?”

That’s where a seasoned builder helps.

At Keystone Custom Decks, our job isn’t just to build something beautiful for you to enjoy. It’s to take pressure off your shoulders—by planning carefully, documenting clearly, and building the right way, so the only “fewer” you have to worry about is fewer hours spent on your deck.

Two-story custom deck with stairs and covered porch built to code in Robertson County Tennessee with proper building permits

Let us focus on building your deck so you can focus on the fun part—like picking your lighting, or imagining your first cookout.

Contact us today if you’re thinking about a new deck building in Robertson County. A quick conversation can help you understand the smartest path forward—before you spend money or break ground.