These are government charges, separate from Smart Girl Developments advisory fees. Amounts below are selected published fees, not a full project estimate. Official links open in a new tab so this desk stays available.
01
Rezoning & Specific Plans
Change the zoning district or establish a Specific Plan. Entitlements are the approvals a project needs; there is no single entitlement fee.
Selected fees for Rezoning & Specific Plans| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Standard zone change | $2,050 |
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| SP: 0–5 homes / smallest nonresidential tier | $2,900 |
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| SP: 6–25 homes / middle nonresidential tier | $4,500 |
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| SP: 26+ homes / largest nonresidential tier | $6,100 |
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| SP building-permit review | $850 |
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| Zoning text amendment | $4,000 |
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SP nonresidential tiers are under 10,000 sq. ft., 10,000–25,000 sq. ft., and over 25,000 sq. ft. Planning confirms the applicable tier, including mixed-use requests. These are separate charges for different actions, not a combined price.
How to prepare & file
- Discuss the proposal and land-use policy with Planning before preparing the filing.
- Request an ePlan Planning account from ePlanPlanning@nashville.gov; setup can take several days. Upload the correct application, plans and supporting documents through the portal.
- Check the application, payment and public-notice deadlines. Planning Commission review and Metro Council action are separate stages of a zoning change.
Have ready
- Address and parcel ID
- Owner authorization and application signatures
- Proposed district or SP concept, plans and project narrative
02
Subdivision & other planning approvals
Create or adjust lots, advance a site plan, or pursue a policy amendment or overlay. The correct filing depends on what the property needs.
Selected fees for Subdivision & other planning approvals| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Subdivision concept plan | $3,000 |
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| Final site plan | $1,650 |
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| Final plat | $1,375 |
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| Consolidation plat | $1,050 |
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| Subdivision amendment | $500 |
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| Community plans, overlays, PUDs & bonds | See category schedule |
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Subdivision approval does not itself change zoning. Recording, utility, engineering and other review costs may also apply. Use Planning’s full directory for a community-plan amendment, overlay or other specialized request.
How to prepare & file
- Confirm the plat or plan type with Planning and your survey/design team.
- Download the relevant application and checklist, then file through ePlan Planning using the current submittal calendar.
- Follow staff review, approval conditions and any recording or bonding requirements.
Have ready
- Current survey / proposed plat or site plan
- Owner authorization
- Supporting checklist and review materials
03
Board of Zoning Appeals
Variances, special exceptions and administrative appeals follow BZA procedures. A BZA appeal is a different process from rezoning.
Selected fees for Board of Zoning Appeals| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Administrative appeal (Item A) | $100 |
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| Variance / special exception | Type & valuation based |
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The fee schedule lists $100 residential / $200 nonresidential for specified no-construction or low-valuation cases. Do not assume these amounts cover every appeal; BZA confirms the fee when processing the filing.
How to prepare & file
- For requests other than Item A appeals, start the required building-permit application and have its permit number ready.
- Email the completed BZA application, applicable supplemental forms and checklist materials to bza@nashville.gov.
- Follow the processing and payment instructions and confirm receipt, completeness, public notice and the hearing date.
Have ready
- Permit number when required
- Signed application and applicable appeal supplement
- Site plan, dimensions, photos and basis for the request
04
Historic preservation review
Check historic zoning and the applicable design guidelines before changing, adding to or demolishing a covered property.
Selected fees for Historic preservation review| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Preservation-permit review | No charge |
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| Building / trade permits and other approvals | Separate fees |
|---|
“No charge” applies to the preservation-permit review identified on Metro’s application. It does not include construction permits, professional services or a request to establish a historic overlay.
How to prepare & file
- Discuss the proposed work with Historic Zoning staff and use the correct district guidelines.
- Have the owner sign the application. Email it with the required plans and supporting materials to historiczoning@nashville.gov.
- Confirm receipt and whether staff or commission review is required. Obtain the needed approvals before work begins.
Have ready
- Owner-signed preservation application
- Existing-condition photos and survey / site plan
- Proposed elevations, dimensions, materials and scope
05
Building & trade permits
Construction, demolition, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical work can require separate permits and department signoffs.
Selected fees for Building & trade permits| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Zoning examination | $25 |
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| Building-permit valuation fee | Based on project valuation |
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| Technology fee | 10% of building valuation fee |
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| Plan review, trades & reinspections | Per applicable schedule |
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Use the complete Codes schedule for your project type and valuation. Trade permits and other department charges are separate. The schedule linked below is the one published through Codes; confirm the current charge before filing.
How to prepare & file
- Follow the Codes building-permit process and Zoning Help Desk instructions for your scope.
- Registered contractors can use ePermits for eligible residential filings; online filing is not available to every applicant or for every permit.
- Complete required reviews and pay the applicable issuance fees. Track permits and inspections separately from planning approvals.
Have ready
- Property and owner details
- Valuation, scope and construction drawings
- Contractor information and required department approvals
06
Water, sewer & stormwater
Utility availability, capacity, plan review and grading can create costs beyond the zoning or building application.
Selected fees for Water, sewer & stormwater| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Water / sewer availability study | $800 + $80 technology fee |
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| Water / sewer line review | $1,700 + $170 technology fee |
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| Stormwater review: under 10,000 sq. ft. | $400 + $40 technology fee |
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| Stormwater review: 10,000 sq. ft. or more | $2,000 + $200 technology fee |
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| Capacity, taps, meters, grading & inspections | Scope dependent |
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Selected review charges from the March 10, 2026 Development Services schedule. These examples are not a complete utility estimate. Capacity, connections, construction and other applicable charges require a project-specific calculation.
How to prepare & file
- Check availability, downstream conditions and the review path with Metro Water Services.
- Use the current development guides and application forms for water, sewer, stormwater and grading.
- Confirm capacity calculations and the timing of review, permit and connection payments with staff.
Have ready
- Survey, utility and drainage plans
- Project size, use and proposed demand
- Impervious-area and grading information as required
07
Streets & right-of-way
Street work, excavation, closures, encroachments and transportation review may require NDOT approval in addition to other permits.
Selected fees for Streets & right-of-way| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Right-of-way permits | By permit type & scope |
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| Review, inspections, bonds & restoration | Confirm for your project |
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Use the current NDOT permit category and fee rules. Duration, area, work type and restoration can affect the charge; do not use a single flat fee for all street work.
How to prepare & file
- Identify the applicable permit and transportation review with NDOT.
- Apply for right-of-way permits through Metro ePermits and provide the required plans.
- Confirm traffic-control, inspection, bonding and restoration requirements before scheduling the work.
Have ready
- Site and right-of-way plans
- Work limits, dates and traffic-control information
- Insurance, bond and contractor details when required
08
Fire review & operational permits
Access, fire protection, alarm or suppression systems and certain operations may require Fire Marshal review or a separate permit.
Selected fees for Fire review & operational permits| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Fire development / system review | By required review |
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| Operational permits | By permit category |
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Confirm the applicable current fee and filing method with the Fire Marshal. A building permit does not replace all fire-related approvals.
How to prepare & file
- Identify site, building, system and operational review requirements.
- Use the Fire Marshal development instructions or the applicable operational-permit application.
- Coordinate required inspections and approval documentation with the project team.
Have ready
- Access and fire-protection plans as required
- System drawings or operational details
- Relevant building or permit references
09
Recording plats & documents
Approved plats, easements, deeds and other instruments may need recording with the Davidson County Register of Deeds.
Selected fees for Recording plats & documents| Fee / review | Published amount |
|---|
| Recording and applicable taxes | Document-specific calculation |
|---|
Document type, page count and applicable taxes or exemptions affect the amount. Use the official calculator and confirm the instrument with your title or legal professional.
How to prepare & file
- Confirm that the document is complete, signed and ready for recording.
- Use the Register’s fee schedule or calculator and follow the accepted filing method.
- Keep the recorded instrument number with the project’s approval records.
Have ready
- Final recordable document
- Required signatures, acknowledgments and approvals
- Correct recording fees and applicable tax information
