Deck Permits in Murfreesboro, TN

TL:DR - Deck Permits in Murfreesboro, TN

  • Murfreesboro is its own jurisdiction. If you're in city limits, you deal with the City of Murfreesboro—not Rutherford County.
  • A permit is required for all decks. No exceptions.
  • Murfreesboro enforces the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC).
  • Applications can be submitted by email or in person. Allow up to two weeks for processing.
  • Plan for 3 key inspections: footing, framing, and final. You must schedule them yourself.
  • Do not start without a permit.

Murfreesboro is booming. You’ve got new neighborhoods, new families, and a whole lot of backyards that could use a decent deck.

If you’re one of those homeowners, here’s something worth knowing before you start: Murfreesboro is its own jurisdiction—Not Rutherford County! The city runs its own Building and Codes Department, its own permit process, and its own inspection schedule. So if you walk into the wrong office, you’d probably lose a week.

Here’s another interesting thing: unlike some Tennessee counties, Murfreesboro doesn’t have a size exemption, so all decks require a permit. That sounds strict, and honestly, it kind of is. But the process itself is straightforward once you know the steps, and this guide lays them all out.

At Keystone Custom Decks, we build decks across Middle Tennessee, and we’ve pulled more permits in this region than we can count, so we know the permit game in Murfreesboro in the heart of Rutherford County like the back of our hand. 

So let’s get started. Here’s what you need to know!

Table of Contents

Murfreesboro Has Its Own Permit Office

The first thing you need to know is that Rutherford County and the City of Murfreesboro are separate jurisdictions, and the Rutherford County Building Codes Department only handles permits for unincorporated areas. If your property is inside Murfreesboro's city limits, you go through the City of Murfreesboro Building and Codes Department.

It's a common mistake, and lots of people have walked into the wrong office. If you’re not sure which side of the line you're on, check the Murfreesboro GIS Map or call the city directly at 615-201-6200. It takes two minutes, but it’ll save you a week of grief.

So, if you live in Murfreesboro, talk to these guys.

Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Murfreesboro?

Absolutely. A permit is required to construct, alter, enlarge, move, or demolish any deck in the City of Murfreesboro. It doesn't matter if you're doing the work yourself or hiring a contractor. You need that permit.

Custom deck with white pergola structure, black railing, outdoor dining area, and landscaped backyard in Murfreesboro, TN

Unlike other counties, where decks that meet certain requirements are exempt from permitting, the city requires a permit for all decks, regardless of size or height.

The only work that doesn't require a permit is normal maintenance, such as sealing, painting, replacing a fence section, that kind of thing.

Applying for a Deck Permit in Murfreesboro (Step-by-Step)

The process isn't complicated once you know the steps. Here's how it works:

  • Download the Right Forms

Download the Accessory Structure permit application. This covers decks, fences, storage buildings, and pools.

  • Prepare Your Plans

Your application needs to include a plot plan or GIS map showing the location of the deck on your property. For anything more complex, you'll also want construction drawings that cover:

  • Deck dimensions and layout
  • Ledger board size and connection method
  • Beam and joist sizing and spacing
  • Footing details
  • Stair and railing details (if applicable)

For complex or elevated decks, a licensed engineer may need to review and stamp the plans.

And for your convenience, you can submit your plans electronically! 

  • Know Who Can Pull the Permit

Homeowners can pull their own building permit as long as the work is at their primary residence. If you're using a licensed contractor, they can pull the permit for you.

There’s one exception: electrical work requires a licensed electrical contractor. Gas work follows the same rule.

  • Submit and Pay

You can submit your application by email or in person at Murfreesboro City Hall, 111 W. Vine Street, 2nd floor, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

Permit fees are based on the construction's valuation. Once your application is reviewed and approved, the city will contact you with the fee amount and payment options. Make sure your email address is on the application so they can reach you, then allow up to two weeks for processing.

  • Watch the Calendar

You’re good to go! But your permit has a timer. If work doesn't start within 6 months, the permit becomes invalid. The same goes if work is suspended or abandoned for a year after starting, so don't pull the permit until you're actually ready to build.

Homeowner using a laptop to complete a deck permit application and submit building documents online

Zoning and Setbacks: Where Can the Deck Go?

So, you got your building permit? Great! But it’s not a zoning approval. These are two different things.

Decks are generally considered part of the principal structure, which means they must comply with your zoning district's yard setback requirements. Setbacks vary depending on where your property is located and what zoning district it's in.

The city's Planning and Engineering Department can help you figure out the specific setbacks for your property. 

Here are a few other things to watch for:

  • Easements: Don't build on a drainage or utility easement. Check your closing documents or contact the Register of Deeds.
  • Subdivision covenants: Your HOA or subdivision may have rules that go beyond the city's requirements.
  • Flood hazard areas: If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, a separate process must be completed before your building permit can proceed.
  • Historic districts: Building inside Murfreesboro's Historic Zoning District? Contact the Planning Department before making any exterior changes.

To obtain a zoning verification, reach out to the city’s zoning office. There are several levels of verification, so it’s best to contact them to find out what’s needed.

Deck Design and Code Requirements

It gets pretty boring from here. But hang in there, because this part matters. A deck failure isn't just an inconvenience. It can be an ambulance call. To ensure that your deck is built safely and solidly, Murfreesboro enforces the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC). Here's what matters most:

Covered outdoor living space with timber beams, stone fireplace, and composite decking built to meet local code requirements

Footings

  • Must extend below the frost line, which is at least 12 inches deep in Tennessee (site conditions may require more)
  • Must be sized to carry the deck's load, typically rated for 40 pounds per square foot.
  • Concrete only—cannot put lateral pressure on your home's foundation

Think of footings like a tree's root system. Shallow roots, and the whole thing tips over.

Lumber

  • All structural lumber must be #2 grade or better and pressure-treated
  • Wood in direct contact with the ground must be rated for ground contact use
  • Termite protection matters here. Middle Tennessee has termites. Use preservative-treated or naturally termite-resistant species where exposed.

Framing Hardware and Fasteners

This is where many DIY decks fail inspection.

  • All connectors and fasteners must be corrosion-resistant—hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel.
  • Nails must be threaded to prevent popping as the wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity.

Non-corrosion-resistant hardware will not pass inspection. Full stop.

Ledger Board Connections

If your deck attaches to the house:

  • Use a 2x8 ledger board with proper flashing to keep water out of your home's structure
  • Install a minimum of 2 lateral load connectors within 24 inches of each end, each rated for at least 1,500 pounds

These connectors stop the deck from pulling away from the house during high winds, and they’re not optional.

Guardrails and Stairs

  • Guardrails are required for any deck 30 inches or more above grade
  • Guardrail height: at least 36 inches from the deck surface
  • Balusters: no opening that allows a 4-inch sphere to pass through
  • Stair width: minimum 36 inches; max riser height 7.75 inches; min tread depth 10 inches
  • Handrails required for any stair flight with more than 4 risers, mounted 34–38 inches above the nosing

Local Design Criteria Worth Knowing

Tennessee's climate throws a few curveballs. Make sure your deck design accounts for:

  • Wind speed: Middle Tennessee decks should be designed to handle winds up to 115 mph
  • Snow load: Design for up to 10 psf ground snow load
  • Frost depth: Footings need to be at least 12 inches deep to stay stable through cold snaps
Elevated covered deck with stone columns, storage space underneath, and structural features requiring permit approval and inspections

3 Inspections You Can't Skip

Inspections inevitably follow permits. As the permit holder, you are responsible for scheduling them. These inspections are meant to ensure that your build is up to code during three crucial stages of your deck build:

  1. Footing Inspection: This happens before you pour concrete. The inspector checks the depth, size, and placement of your footings. Don't pour a single yard of concrete until this is cleared.
  2. Framing Inspection: After posts, beams, joists, and the ledger are up, but before decking boards or railings go on. Connections and hardware are verified at this phase.
  3. Final Inspection: Once the build is complete, the final inspection confirms that everything matches the approved plans and that the deck is ready for occupancy.

Your deck cannot be used until the final inspection is approved and a certificate of occupancy is issued.

What Happens If You Build Without a Permit?

That’s a big no-no. If you start work before a permit is issued, here's what you're looking at:

  • Fines: Each day of continued violation can be treated as a separate offense.
  • Stop-work orders: Construction halts immediately. Delays and extra costs pile up.
  • Forced removal or costly fixes: You may have to expose buried footings, remove decking boards to let the inspector verify the framing, or tear the whole thing down if it doesn't meet code.
  • Insurance problems: Your homeowners’ insurance may not cover damages caused by an unpermitted structure.
  • Resale headaches: An unpermitted deck is a red flag during a home inspection. It can tank a sale or force expensive remediation.
Minigraphic 1

It's really not worth it. This guy can tell you from personal experience.

Build the Deck, Build It Right

Murfreesboro's permit process isn't the hard part. The hard part is knowing which office to call, what drawings to include, and juggling inspections with your build schedule. Missing any of those will stall your progress.

Or, you could let someone do it all for you.

At Keystone Custom Decks, we handle that sort of thing every day. We’ve been building in Middle Tennessee long enough to know Murfreesboro's Building and Codes Department like it’s second nature. We know what their plan submittals need to include, how long processing actually takes, and what inspectors are looking for at each stage. We handle the permit from start to finish—so you don't have to learn the process on your own time and your own dime.

If you're ready to get moving, contact us today! We'll take a look at your property, confirm what the city needs, and get your project started the right way, all the way.

Disclaimer

Any bureaucracy, although it may seem slow, can also be very fluid. While the information in this blog has been researched to the best of our knowledge, it's important to note that:

  • The information is gathered from publicly available online sources
  • Permitting rules and requirements can change or vary by township
  • It is always best for the homeowner to confirm directly with their local township or permitting office before starting construction.