Building permits and zoning in Clarksville

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Clarksville’s Building & Codes, permitting, Building & Codes FAQ and Zoning Appeals Board pages; the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission’s home page, zoning and maps pages and 2026 calendar (PDF); and Montgomery County Building and Codes.

Inside the city limits, building permits come from the City of Clarksville’s Building & Codes Department, 100 S. Spring St., 931-645-7426, open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Zoning (what can be built where, and rezoning) runs through the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission, which serves both the city and the county. Its next meeting is 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Who to call

• City Building & Codes: 931-645-7426, 100 S. Spring St.; contractor documents to bcadmin@clarksvilletn.gov
• Regional Planning Commission (zoning): 931-645-7448
• Montgomery County Building and Codes (outside the city): 931-648-5718, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 309
• Apply online: the city’s Self-Service Portal

When you need a permit

The city requires a permit whenever a person wants to construct, alter, repair, enlarge, move, renovate, demolish or permanently place a building or structure. That includes new houses, additions, accessory buildings, swimming pools and renovations. Applications go through the Self-Service Portal, which also lists every permit type.

Who can pull one

• Licensed contractors. Under state law, any project worth $25,000 or more must be done by a contractor licensed by the State of Tennessee.
• Homeowners, for their own primary single-family home, with a notarized Homeowner Affidavit taking full responsibility for the work. State law limits an owner-builder to one new house permit in two years.
• Plumbing and mechanical or gas permits must be pulled by a licensed contractor. Homeowners cannot get them.

What to bring

The city’s April 2026 requirements memo lists:

• A Tennessee contractor’s license (unless you are the homeowner-builder)
• Proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance
• A current stamped property survey for any permanent structure, showing boundaries, easements, setbacks and exactly where the new work goes. Temporary structures such as an above-ground pool or a portable shed can use an uncertified survey.
• A scale site plan of existing and proposed structures
• The full project value, labor and materials included

Incomplete applications are not accepted. Fees are set by city ordinance and depend on value, square footage or a flat rate; the city’s fee calculator gives an estimate. A permit stays valid as long as work starts within six months and is not abandoned for six months in a row. The city enforces the 2018 International Building and Residential codes.

Zoning and rezoning

Check your property’s zoning on the planning commission’s zoning map or its information lookup. The rules are in the city zoning ordinance (updated Sept. 3, 2026).

To change a zone, file a zone change application with the planning commission; fees are on its fee schedule. The commission hears the case and recommends. Inside the city, the City Council decides and must pass the change on two readings. County-only cases go to the County Commission. The city and county are also rewriting their zoning codes.

Downtown and the Madison Street area have design review and historic overlay districts; see the planning commission’s design and historic districts map.

Upcoming meetings and deadlines

The planning commission’s office is closed Nov. 11, Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 24-25.

Variances: the Board of Zoning Appeals

If your plan breaks a setback or another zoning rule, the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals can grant a variance. It meets the first Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m., 100 S. Spring St. Each application covers one lot and carries a $200 nonrefundable fee. Call Building & Codes at 931-645-7426.

What this means for you

• Get the permit before work starts, and keep a stamped survey handy for anything permanent.
• Hiring out a job of $25,000 or more? The contractor must hold a Tennessee license.
• Outside the city limits, call the county at 931-648-5718, not the city.

More guides: property taxes, moving to Clarksville and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a building permit in Clarksville?

Yes, whenever you build, alter, repair, enlarge, move, renovate, demolish or permanently place a building or structure inside the city limits. Call Building & Codes at 931-645-7426.

Can a homeowner pull a building permit in Clarksville?

Yes, for work on your own primary single-family home, with a notarized Homeowner Affidavit. Homeowners cannot pull plumbing or mechanical and gas permits; those need a licensed contractor.

How do I rezone property in Clarksville?

File a zone change application with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission (931-645-7448). The commission makes a recommendation and the City Council decides on two readings.

When does the Clarksville Board of Zoning Appeals meet?

On the first Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. at 100 S. Spring St. The remaining 2026 hearings are Nov. 4 and Dec. 2. Each application costs $200.

Who issues permits outside the Clarksville city limits?

Montgomery County Building and Codes, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 309, 931-648-5718.