Home projects in Springfield

Springfield is the Robertson County seat, a courthouse town north of Nashville near the Kentucky line. It has older homes close to downtown, mid-century neighborhoods, and newer subdivisions on the edges. Two things set Springfield apart for homeowners. The city requires permits for some common jobs that other towns exempt, like roof and window replacement. And Robertson County is one of the few counties where Tennessee's Home Improvement license applies.

Permits for roofs and windows

Springfield's "Do I need a permit?" page says you need a permit to:

• build an addition;
• renovate or alter interiors in ways that change walls, room sizes or exits;
• replace roof shingles or any other roof covering;
• replace windows, an HVAC system or gas-fired appliances;
• build, add or move in a garage or accessory building over 200 square feet;
• build a deck more than 30 inches above the ground;
• install a pool;
• add or relocate plumbing or gas piping.

That's stricter than some nearby towns. Spring Hill doesn't require a permit for replacement windows, and Nolensville exempts non-structural re-roofs. In Springfield, both need a permit. If a roofer or window installer says no permit is needed here, that's a red flag. See roofing, windows and HVAC.

What doesn't need a permit

• painting, wallpaper, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work;
• one-story detached sheds, playhouses and similar buildings of 200 square feet or less;
• fences up to 7 feet tall;
• retaining walls up to 4 feet;
• sidewalks and driveways no more than 30 inches above the adjacent grade;
• prefabricated above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep.

The city's rule of thumb: pull a permit any time structural elements change. Cosmetic work doesn't need one. Questions go to the Codes Department at (615) 382-2200.

Codes in force

Springfield's Community Development Department enforces the 2021 International Residential Code, the 2021 building, energy conservation, fire, fuel gas, mechanical and plumbing codes, and the 2024 property maintenance code.

Who can pull a permit

Homeowners may pull permits only if the home is their current primary residence. Everything else has to be pulled by a licensed and insured contractor:

• Jobs from $3,000 to $24,999: a contractor with a Tennessee Home Improvement license (or higher). Before the permit, the city needs the valid license and a certificate of insurance showing general liability, plus workers' comp if applicable.
• Jobs over $24,999: a contractor with a Tennessee contractor's license. Before the permit, the city needs the valid license and a certificate of insurance showing both general liability and workers' comp.

The city requires both documents on file with the Codes Department before a permit is pulled. If your contractor's paperwork isn't on file, your permit, and your start date, will wait. Ask your contractor to confirm with the department.

This follows state law. Robertson County is one of the counties that adopted the Home Improvement license law, which covers residential remodeling jobs from $3,000 to $24,999. Look up any license on the state's Verify search before you sign. See our guide to Tennessee contractor licenses.

Inspections and timing

Springfield lists these required inspections:

• Mechanical: rough-in and final;
• Building: foundation, sheathing, framing and final.

New residential construction permits have a 3-day wait for department review before they're issued.

Getting a smooth permit in Springfield

Because so many routine jobs need permits here, a little preparation saves days:

1. Decide who pulls the permit before you sign. If you're hiring out the work, the contractor should pull it, not you.
2. Ask the contractor to confirm their license and insurance are on file with the Codes Department. That's required before any permit is pulled.
3. Get the value of the job in writing. The contract price decides whether a Home Improvement license is enough or a full contractor's license is needed. Splitting one job into smaller contracts to stay under a threshold is a warning sign.
4. Keep the permit card and inspection results with your house records. A buyer's inspector or insurer may ask when the roof or HVAC was replaced and whether it was permitted.

Common Springfield projects

Roof replacement. Permit required. Make sure the roofer pulls it. See roofing.

Window and HVAC replacement. Both need permits here. See windows and HVAC.

Decks. A deck more than 30 inches above the ground needs a permit. A low deck may not, but check. See decks and porches.

Kitchens and baths. Finish-only refreshes skip the permit, but moving walls or plumbing needs one. See kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling.

Additions and garages. See home additions.