Tennessee permit review deadlines
How long does it take to get a building permit in Tennessee?
Tennessee's deadlines sit on either side of the building permit. Since October 2024, an applicant can hire a registered third-party plans examiner, and the local government has 10 business days to respond.
Starting January 1, 2027, site plans and other development applications get their own clock: 30 business days for a first response, 60 for a decision, and automatic approval if the local government misses.
See the deadlines ↓Current Tennessee state-level guidelines
The short answer
We found no statewide deadline in Tennessee for a local government's own building plan review. Two related rules do carry deadlines. First, an applicant can hire a third-party plans examiner registered with the state fire marshal. The local government then has 10 business days to approve the application, report deficiencies, or ask for more information, or it must refund the application fees. Second, Public Chapter 1044 takes effect January 1, 2027. It gives local governments 30 business days to respond to site plans, plats, and similar development applications and 60 business days to decide. A missed deadline means the submission is deemed approved. That law does not cover building permits.
By project type
Tennessee review deadlines.
Tennessee's two clocks cover different stages of a project.
| Project type | Deadline | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Building plans reviewed by a third-party examiner | 10 business days | For the local government to approve, list deficiencies, or request information. |
| Site plans, plats, and development plans: first response | 30 business days | Written deficiency report or request for information. Starts January 1, 2027. |
| Site plans, plats, and development plans: decision | 60 business days | Approve, or place on the next planning commission or governing body agenda. |
| Development application resubmittal | 30 business days | After the applicant documents that the deficiencies are fixed. |
Public Chapter 1044 does not cover building, fire, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical permits, or rezonings and annexations.
When the clock runs out
What happens when a Tennessee local government misses the deadline.
If the local government does not respond in 10 business days, it must refund the application fees. The applicant can then refile with the state fire marshal's office, which has 10 business days.
From 2027, a submission is deemed approved if the local government misses the deadline.
After a second report, staff must deny with written reasons and refund 50% of the fees, approve with conditions, or send the application to the next agenda.
Faster permit approvals start with more efficient plan review.
See how your team can spend less time chasing comments, waiting on other disciplines, and tracking down the status of a review, without changing your permitting system or CDP.
Recent changes
What changed, and when.
October 1, 2024
Third-party plan review and inspection takes effectAn applicant who uses a third-party examiner for plans must also use one for the inspections that follow.
January 1, 2027
Public Chapter 1044 takes effectAdds T.C.A. 7-51-2204, the development review deadlines.
Common questions
Tennessee building permit deadlines, answered.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Tennessee?
We found no statewide deadline for a local government's own building plan review. If you use a registered third-party plans examiner, the local government has 10 business days to respond.
Does Tennessee's new 2027 law cover building permits?
No. Public Chapter 1044 covers site plans, plats, road and drainage plans, and similar development applications. Building permits fall under a different part of state law.
What happens if a Tennessee city ignores a third-party plan review?
It must refund the application fees. The applicant can withdraw the review and refile with the state fire marshal's office.
How do Tennessee building departments keep up with these deadlines?
Three habits show up in the departments that hit the clock. They check applications for missing items in the first few days. They let building, fire, planning, and engineering review the same plans at the same time. And they track the days left on every review, so a manager can step in before a deadline passes.
Read it for yourself
Sources.
Keep exploring
Deadlines in other states.
If you review plans in Tennessee
Working under Tennessee's review clock? See how e-PlanSoft can help you hit it consistently.
Meeting a review deadline starts with a good intake process, disciplines that work together, and a clear view of every review in progress.
Book a demoSee how collaborative review works →This page summarizes public laws, rules, and city review practices in Tennessee as of November 12, 2026. Deadlines vary by location and permit type. These summaries are for reference, not legal advice. Check the linked sources and local requirements for the rules that apply to your project.