Wilson County Permit Expediting
Wilson County has grown quickly, especially along the I-40 corridor from Mt. Juliet to Lebanon. The county handles building permits outside city limits, Lebanon and Mt. Juliet each run their own departments, and new homes carry an Adequate Facilities Tax that the county collects even for projects inside those cities.
NashPermits coordinates permits across Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and unincorporated Wilson County. We confirm which office has the parcel, what taxes and utility fees apply, and what each department needs to see before it will issue.
Who handles what in Wilson County
- Unincorporated Wilson County is permitted by the Wilson County Building Codes Division at the Courthouse Annex in Lebanon. Only the owner of record or a state-licensed contractor can apply, and contractors need signed and notarized owner documents.
- Lebanon issues building permits through its Building Inspection Department. Electrical work is inspected by the state deputy electrical inspector rather than the city, and planning submittals go through an electronic plan review system.
- Mt. Juliet issues permits through its Building and Codes Department, with planning, zoning and site plans handled by the Planning and Zoning Department through the city's online portal.
The Adequate Facilities Tax and utility fees
New homes in Wilson County pay an Adequate Facilities Tax, and the county collects it for Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Watertown as well as the unincorporated county. It is paid separately from the building permit fee, so it needs to be in the budget and in the application package from the start.
Utilities add another layer. In Mt. Juliet, the city provides sewer while West Wilson Utility District supplies water and charges its own development and tap fees. In the rural county, the septic affidavit is part of the permit packet. We identify every fee before you apply so the permit is not held for payment.
Projects we see most in Wilson County
- New homes in production subdivisions around Mt. Juliet
- Barns, shops and accessory buildings on rural property
- Commercial and retail projects along the I-40 corridor and Mt. Juliet's growing town center
- Historic renovations near Lebanon's public square
Lebanon's historic districts and lake property
Lebanon has a Historic Preservation Commission that issues Certificates of Appropriateness for work in the city's historic districts, which adds a design review step to renovations near the square. On the county's lake edges, along Old Hickory Lake and Percy Priest Lake, docks and shoreline work fall under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rather than the county. Our planning and zoning coordination and permit research services help you see those steps before you commit to a schedule.
Related services in Wilson County
- Residential permitting: additions, renovations, new homes, pools and accessory structures
- Commercial permitting: tenant build-outs, renovations and new commercial construction
- Permit research & due diligence: finding out what a site needs before you commit
- Planning & zoning coordination: zoning requirements, overlays and use approvals
Wilson County permit FAQs
Who collects the Adequate Facilities Tax for a new home in Mt. Juliet or Lebanon?
Wilson County collects the Adequate Facilities Tax for new homes in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Watertown as well as the unincorporated county. It is paid separately from the permit fee, so we include it in the checklist before you apply.
Do I need a building permit for a shed or barn in Wilson County?
It depends on the size and use. In the unincorporated county, some small accessory structures need only a zoning permit rather than a full building permit. We confirm the right permit for your structure before anything is filed.
Who supplies water for new construction in Mt. Juliet?
In much of Mt. Juliet, the city provides sewer and West Wilson Utility District supplies water, with its own development and tap fees. We coordinate the utility side with the building permit so both are ready at the same time.
Can I apply for a Wilson County permit on behalf of the owner?
Only the owner of record or a state-licensed contractor can apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wilson County, and contractors need signed and notarized documents from the owner. We prepare that paperwork so the application is accepted the first time.
More questions? See our full FAQ page or browse all service areas.
Starting a project in Wilson County?
Send us the project address and scope of work. We'll confirm the jurisdiction and reply within one business day with the approvals you need and a quote.
Call or text 615-815-5499 · team@nashpermits.com