How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Anderson County, TN?

The minimum permit fee is Not cleanly posted in the reviewed pages. The application form shows project-specific valuation-based calculation.. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. The commercial application shows permit fee calculated from structure area x cost per square foot, plus inspection fee at $30 per inspection.. Plan check fee: Included in the review process on the application forms, but no separate flat public plan-check fee was clearly posted on the reviewed pages..

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Anderson County, TN?

Typical processing time is Thin data. No public standard review-time estimate was found..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Anderson County, TN?

The following work is generally exempt: Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and other playground equipment; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches and do not require additional support; Decks not exceeding 100 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the exit door required by the code.

County Building Permits

Anderson County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Anderson County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Tennessee Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Covers unincorporated Anderson County. Incorporated cities in the county, including Clinton, Oak Ridge, Rocky Top, and Norris, have their own local permit routing.

Department: Office of Planning and Development, Anderson County Government
Address: 100 N Main Street, Room 127, Clinton, TN 37716-3617
Phone: 865-457-6244
Email: mtinker@andersoncountytn.gov
Website: https://andersoncountytn.gov/planning-and-development/

Online Permit Portal

Open Portal

Platform: None identified publicly on the reviewed pages • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the property is in unincorporated Anderson County and not inside a city limit.
Contact Planning and Development or use the county building permit application forms.
Prepare the site plan, plans, contractor information, address certification, and any septic documentation required for the project.
Submit the application to the county office for code and zoning review.
Pay the calculated permit fee and inspection fee.
Obtain permit issuance and call for required inspections during construction.

Typical processing time: Thin data. No public standard review-time estimate was found.

Source: Office of Planning and Development, Anderson County Government

General Requirements

Anderson County states building permits are required for any and all structures over 100 square feet or costing $1,000 or greater.

Required Documents

The county commercial application requires two sets of plans, a signed site plan, septic tank permit if required, and E-911 address certification. The mobile home application requires bill of sale, site plat, septic layout if needed, E-911 address certification, foundation layout for double-wide units, and floor plan. Commercial work also collects contractor state license information.

Permit validity: The county FAQ states the permit is normally valid for 180 days from issuance or the last inspection.
Building code: The county planning page states the current building and property maintenance codes come from the ICC and the county follows the 2018 edition. The county commercial application and FAQ align with ICC-based review.
Owner-builder: The county permit form includes an affidavit of exemption for workers compensation where the applicant is working on their own property in their city of residence or directly supervising work on their own property in their city of residence.
Contractor requirements: The county commercial application asks for a state contractor license number. The county also requires contractor information on its applications and staff rely on local and state licensing compliance.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Not cleanly posted in the reviewed pages. The application form shows project-specific valuation-based calculation.
Plan check fee: Included in the review process on the application forms, but no separate flat public plan-check fee was clearly posted on the reviewed pages.
Permit fee formula: Valuation-based. The commercial application shows permit fee calculated from structure area x cost per square foot, plus inspection fee at $30 per inspection.
Reinspection fee: Not publicly posted in the reviewed pages.
Payment note: The reviewed county application forms show payment by cash or check.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Office of Planning and Development, Anderson County Government to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours: Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Time windows: Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Thin data. No consolidated public sequence was found for all project types.

The reviewed pages do not publish a general reinspection fee or sequence note on the lines reviewed here.

Additional Resources

Building code: The county planning page states the current building and property maintenance codes come from the ICC and the county follows the 2018 edition. The county commercial application and FAQ align with ICC-based review.
Zoning information: View zoning info
https://andersoncountyplanning.com/building-and-codes/
https://andersoncountyplanning.com/contact/
https://andersoncountytn.gov/planning-and-development/
https://andersoncountyplanning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Commercial-Industrial-Application.pdf
https://andersoncountyplanning.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Mobile-Home-Application.pdf
License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Office of Planning and Development, Anderson County Government before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anderson County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Anderson County, TN?: Anderson County states building permits are required for any and all structures over 100 square feet or costing $1,000 or greater.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Anderson County, TN?: The minimum permit fee is Not cleanly posted in the reviewed pages. The application form shows project-specific valuation-based calculation.. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. The commercial application shows permit fee calculated from structure area x cost per square foot, plus inspection fee at $30 per inspection.. Plan check fee: Included in the review process on the application forms, but no separate flat public plan-check fee was clearly posted on the reviewed pages..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Anderson County, TN?: 1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Anderson County and not inside a city limit. 2. Contact Planning and Development or use the county building permit application forms. 3. Prepare the site plan, plans, contractor information, address certification, and any septic documentation required for the project. 4. Submit the application to the county office for code and zoning review. 5. Pay the calculated permit fee and inspection fee. 6. Obtain permit issuance and call for required inspections during construction.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Anderson County, TN?: Typical processing time is Thin data. No public standard review-time estimate was found..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Anderson County, TN?: The following work is generally exempt: Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and other playground equipment; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches and do not require additional support; Decks not exceeding 100 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the exit door required by the code.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated Anderson County can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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