On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Cleveland
A permit is required for all new buildings, additions, alterations, and substantial repairs. Separate permits are required for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, signs, and demolition.
Minor work such as painting, wallpapering, and routine maintenance of heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems
Roof covering replacement that changes only shingles or other roof covering (replacing structural decking requires a permit)
Cell tower equipment and antenna replacements that do not affect the structure
Detached decks less than 200 square feet and less than 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Minor work such as painting, wallpapering, and routine maintenance of heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems
- Exempt Roof covering replacement that changes only shingles or other roof covering (replacing structural decking requires a permit)
- Exempt Cell tower equipment and antenna replacements that do not affect the structure
- Exempt Detached decks less than 200 square feet and less than 30 inches above grade
Required documents
- Application
- Contractor information
- Project valuation
- Plans where required
- For commercial work: digital plans with site, life safety, architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire protection information as applicable
- Building code
- Current city materials reference the 2018 International Residential Code for inspection checklists and the 2018 International Building Code for commercial review. Older application forms still mention 2012 IBC, so current webpages should be treated as controlling.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly stated on the current public-facing city pages reviewed. The city building materials reviewed did not post a simple expiration summary.
- Owner-builder
- The city directs applicants to its Contractor Licensing Requirements page for who may apply for permits. The page does not publish a short owner-builder summary on the FAQ itself.
- Contractor requirements
- Tennessee contractor licensing applies. City pages direct applicants to city Contractor Licensing Requirements, and trade work is handled through separate permit processes.
Source: City of Cleveland Development and Engineering Services, Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Commercial plans review may take up to 10 business days. No general residential issuance timeline was posted on the pages reviewed.
- 01 Confirm whether the work needs a permit on the city Work Requiring Permit page and identify the correct permit type and trade permits.
- 02 Create or use an EnerGov Self Service account, or obtain the paper/PDF application from the Permit Applications and Plan Review page.
- 03 Submit the permit application with plans and supporting documents. Commercial and multifamily work is submitted with digital plans; plans review fees are due at submission.
- 04 City staff reviews zoning, code, and plan details. The city Plans Review Manual says commercial plans review may take up to 10 business days, longer if corrections are needed.
- 05 Respond to review comments or provide revised plans if requested. Commercial plans may also require fire, accessibility, and design professional review.
- 06 After approval, pay permit fees and receive the permit. Separate permits are still required for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, demolition, and signs where applicable.
Typical processing time: Commercial plans review may take up to 10 business days. No general residential issuance timeline was posted on the pages reviewed.
Source: City of Cleveland Development and Engineering Services, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Cleveland building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Mechanical permit: $10.00. Plumbing permit: $20.00 base fee for 1 fixture. A single unified current building fee schedule was not clearly posted.
02
Plan check fee
Commercial plans review fee is due upon submission, but the public pages reviewed did not post the calculation formula.
03
Permit fee formula
Building applications use estimated construction cost with permit fee, plan review fee, and double fee fields. Mechanical: $12.00 for the first $1,000 plus $2.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction for new construction; $6.00 for the first $1,000 plus $2.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction for replacements, alterations, and additions. Plumbing fees are fixture-based.
04
Reinspection fee
Mechanical permit lists a $25.00 reinspection fee. Building applications include a double fee field if work started without a permit.
The city Plans Review Manual says plan review fees may be paid on the website. Online submission and payments run through the EnerGov Self Service portal.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Inspection phone line: (423) 827-4027 (phone)
- EnerGov Self Service portal (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: For residential work, city checklists cover footing, foundation, framing, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy, and final inspections, with deck inspections where applicable.
Source: City of Cleveland Development and Engineering Services, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Cleveland permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Cleveland, TN? ▸
A permit is required for all new buildings, additions, alterations, and substantial repairs. Separate permits are required for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, signs, and demolition.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Cleveland, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Cleveland, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Mechanical permit: $10.00. Plumbing permit: $20.00 base fee for 1 fixture. A single unified current building fee schedule was not clearly posted.. Fees are calculated as: Building applications use estimated construction cost with permit fee, plan review fee, and double fee fields. Mechanical: $12.00 for the first $1,000 plus $2.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction for new construction; $6.00 for the first $1,000 plus $2.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction for replacements, alterations, and additions. Plumbing fees are fixture-based.. Plan check fee: Commercial plans review fee is due upon submission, but the public pages reviewed did not post the calculation formula..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Cleveland, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Cleveland, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work needs a permit on the city Work Requiring Permit page and identify the correct permit type and trade permits. 2. Create or use an EnerGov Self Service account, or obtain the paper/PDF application from the Permit Applications and Plan Review page. 3. Submit the permit application with plans and supporting documents. Commercial and multifamily work is submitted with digital plans; plans review fees are due at submission. 4. City staff reviews zoning, code, and plan details. The city Plans Review Manual says commercial plans review may take up to 10 business days, longer if corrections are needed. 5. Respond to review comments or provide revised plans if requested. Commercial plans may also require fire, accessibility, and design professional review. 6. After approval, pay permit fees and receive the permit. Separate permits are still required for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, demolition, and signs where applicable.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Cleveland, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Cleveland, TN typically run Commercial plans review may take up to 10 business days. No general residential issuance timeline was posted on the pages reviewed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Cleveland, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Cleveland, TN. The following work is generally exempt: Minor work such as painting, wallpapering, and routine maintenance of heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems; Roof covering replacement that changes only shingles or other roof covering (replacing structural decking requires a permit); Cell tower equipment and antenna replacements that do not affect the structure; Detached decks less than 200 square feet and less than 30 inches above grade. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Cleveland, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Cleveland, TN via: Inspection phone line: (423) 827-4027, EnerGov Self Service portal.
last verified April 2026
source City of Cleveland Development and Engineering Services, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/bradley/cleveland
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Cleveland Development and Engineering Services, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.