Who issues building permits in Tennessee?
Generally, building permits in Tennessee are issued by the local Building and Codes office in the city where your project will take place. In the case of unincorporated areas, permits are issued by the county office instead. Either way, the process is virtually the same.
 CLICK THE LINKS TO YOUR CITY BELOW TO APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT
Some cities have a general building permit application, whereas others have separate permit applications for project type or for the different phases of construction. Not all cities have forms on their site and might only list a contact and phone number.
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When is a building permit needed in Tennessee?
Building permits in Tennessee are normally needed whenever you construct, alter, enlarge, repair, move, or demolish a structure. This includes interior remodeling and the construction of small accessory structures such as decks and detached garages. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work will also require a building permit if the work goes beyond the most basic repairs. Finishing work like painting and carpeting will usually not require a building permit.
Are there other permits available in Tennessee that I will need?
In addition to your basic building permit, many Tennessee municipalities also require specialty permits depending on the type of work you may be doing. These include electrical permits, mechanical permits for heating and ventilation system, and plumbing permits. Some cities may also require septic permits for tank installment, permits for minor plat completion, and grading permits. If additional permits are needed for your project in Tennesee, you will need to apply for them before your building permit will be issued.
If I get a building permit, will the construction project need to be inspected?
Yes, most projects in Tennessee will need to be inspected by a city or county building inspector during construction. How many inspections your project requires depends on the type of work you are doing and your local building regulations. For example Waynesboro requires six aspects of a single family house to be inspected, but to save time and expense the inspections can be done in a just three site visits. You will get a list of required inspections and details on how to schedule an inspection when your building permit is issued.
