Do I need a permit for pavers, driveway, or hardscape in Forest Hills?
Yes. In Tennessee, pavers, driveway, or hardscape generally requires a permit, and Forest Hills is no exception.
At-grade patios, walkways, and driveways of pavers are often exempt from a building permit, but retaining walls above a certain height, work in the public right-of-way, and impervious-coverage or stormwater limits can trigger permits. Verify grading, drainage, and right-of-way requirements with your local codes or public works department before starting. Forest Hills lists impervious surfaces such as driveways, patios, and sidewalks, along with retaining walls, as projects that require a City permit, so at-grade hardscape that is exempt in other cities is generally not exempt here. Impervious surface work is reviewed against the City Zoning Ordinance impervious surface ratio limits and the City Stormwater Ordinance, and the Hillside Protection Zoning Overlay can add requirements, so check whether your lot is affected. This is general guidance and not a City determination, so confirm your specific paving or wall project with the City of Forest Hills Building and Zoning office before starting.
Documents you may need
- Permit application (where required)Sometimes required
- Site plan showing location, grading, and drainageLikely required
- City of Forest Hills building permit application through the City Permit Database for driveways, patios, sidewalks, or a retaining wallrequired
- Applicable Application Guide Sheet with a site plan showing the impervious surface area, grading, and drainagerequired
- Wall section or engineering for a taller or tiered retaining wallSometimes required
Possible inspections
- Grading / drainage review in some jurisdictions
- Final inspection where a permit is issued
- Site and building inspections by the City of Forest Hills Building Inspector, including footing or reinforcement inspection for a retaining wall
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for pavers, driveway, or hardscape in Forest Hills?
- Yes. In Tennessee, pavers, driveway, or hardscape generally requires a permit, and Forest Hills is no exception. At-grade patios, walkways, and driveways of pavers are often exempt from a building permit, but retaining walls above a certain height, work in the public right-of-way, and impervious-coverage or stormwater limits can trigger permits. Verify grading, drainage, and right-of-way requirements with your local codes or public works department before starting. Forest Hills lists impervious surfaces such as driveways, patios, and sidewalks, along with retaining walls, as projects that require a City permit, so at-grade hardscape that is exempt in other cities is generally not exempt here. Impervious surface work is reviewed against the City Zoning Ordinance impervious surface ratio limits and the City Stormwater Ordinance, and the Hillside Protection Zoning Overlay can add requirements, so check whether your lot is affected. This is general guidance and not a City determination, so confirm your specific paving or wall project with the City of Forest Hills Building and Zoning office before starting.
- Who issues the permit in Forest Hills?
- The local building department for Forest Hills handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.