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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Bradley County
Building permits are required for county residential and commercial construction under the adopted code set, with separate permits for plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, electrical, demolition, and land disturbance as applicable.
Ordinary finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, cabinets, and countertops
Some small detached accessory structures
Low fences
Low retaining walls without surcharge
Playground equipment
Agricultural-use barns (no-permit-required)
- Exempt Ordinary finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, cabinets, and countertops
- Exempt Some small detached accessory structures
- Exempt Low fences
- Exempt Low retaining walls without surcharge
- Exempt Playground equipment
- Exempt Agricultural-use barns (no-permit-required)
Note: Thin public data: Bradley County does not publish a stand-alone permit exemption page on the public building inspections page reviewed. Exemptions listed are based on the 2018 ICC code set adopted by the county. Confirm any claimed exemption with the county.
Required documents
- Residential package: map-group-parcel number, conditioned and unconditioned square footage, number of stories, room counts, bedrooms and baths, fireplaces and chimneys, contractor information, plumbing and HVAC scope, and a site sketch
- Commercial package: plans and supporting submittal documents under code section 107, plus contractor credentials and insurance
- Building code
- Resolution 2022-47 adopts and enforces the 2018 IBC, IRC, IECC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC, NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and 2010 ADA Standards in unincorporated Bradley County.
- Permit validity
- The permit becomes invalid if authorized work is not commenced within 30 days of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months.
- Owner-builder
- County residential affidavit allows an owner to build one single-family residence every 2 years as their own contractor, for their own use and occupancy, subject to the affidavit and licensed subcontractor rules.
- Contractor requirements
- Commercial permits require a Tennessee licensed contractor, Bradley County business license, workers compensation or exemption letter, and certificate of liability insurance. Residential owner-builders are limited to the affidavit exemption and may not delegate supervision to an unlicensed builder.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general county processing-time estimate was posted on the public pages reviewed.
- 01 Choose the correct county permit package for residential houses, barns, outbuildings, commercial work, manufactured housing, demolition, or land disturbance.
- 02 Gather parcel information, project description, site sketch, utility information, contractor and trade data, and any stormwater or floodplain details.
- 03 Obtain septic approval through TDEC if no public sewer is available, or obtain the sewer availability letter or septic inspection letter needed for issuance.
- 04 Email completed PDF forms to permits@bradleycountytn.gov or deliver them to 155 Broad Street NW. The county page says all forms must be submitted in PDF format and photos are not accepted.
- 05 County staff reviews zoning, county road access and frontage for addressing, floodplain development, stormwater, and land disturbance matters.
- 06 Submit any remaining contractor credentials and trade permit information, pay fees, and receive the permit once the application is approved and supporting documents are complete.
Typical processing time: No general county processing-time estimate was posted on the public pages reviewed.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Bradley County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Building permit minimum $50.00. Mechanical minimum for work up to $1,000 is $25.00. Plumbing minimum is $15.00. Fuel gas minimum is $25.00.
02
Plan check fee
No separate county plan check fee was published in the county adopted fee schedules reviewed.
03
Permit fee formula
Schedule B building fees are valuation-based and tiered by project value. Mechanical fees are valuation-based. Plumbing fees are fixture-based. Fuel gas fees are $25 plus $5 per appliance. Land disturbance is $100 for the first acre and $50 for each additional acre.
04
Reinspection fee
$25.00. Work begun before permit issuance is charged at double permit fees.
County applications show cash, check, and card payment options. No online county permit payment portal was identified on the public pages reviewed.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Bradley County Planning and Inspections: (423) 728-7106 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours advance notice required
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM; Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: County inspection sequence is footing, foundation, framing, insulation/energy, and final. Trade rough-ins and finals for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fuel gas must be complete and approved when applicable before county framing or final inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Bradley County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Bradley County, TN? ▸
Building permits are required for county residential and commercial construction under the adopted code set, with separate permits for plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, electrical, demolition, and land disturbance as applicable.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Bradley County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Bradley County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Building permit minimum $50.00. Mechanical minimum for work up to $1,000 is $25.00. Plumbing minimum is $15.00. Fuel gas minimum is $25.00.. Fees are calculated as: Schedule B building fees are valuation-based and tiered by project value. Mechanical fees are valuation-based. Plumbing fees are fixture-based. Fuel gas fees are $25 plus $5 per appliance. Land disturbance is $100 for the first acre and $50 for each additional acre.. Plan check fee: No separate county plan check fee was published in the county adopted fee schedules reviewed..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bradley County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bradley County, TN, follow these steps: 1. Choose the correct county permit package for residential houses, barns, outbuildings, commercial work, manufactured housing, demolition, or land disturbance. 2. Gather parcel information, project description, site sketch, utility information, contractor and trade data, and any stormwater or floodplain details. 3. Obtain septic approval through TDEC if no public sewer is available, or obtain the sewer availability letter or septic inspection letter needed for issuance. 4. Email completed PDF forms to permits@bradleycountytn.gov or deliver them to 155 Broad Street NW. The county page says all forms must be submitted in PDF format and photos are not accepted. 5. County staff reviews zoning, county road access and frontage for addressing, floodplain development, stormwater, and land disturbance matters. 6. Submit any remaining contractor credentials and trade permit information, pay fees, and receive the permit once the application is approved and supporting documents are complete.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Bradley County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Bradley County, TN typically run No general county processing-time estimate was posted on the public pages reviewed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Bradley County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Bradley County, TN. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary finish work such as painting, papering, tiling, cabinets, and countertops; Some small detached accessory structures; Low fences; Low retaining walls without surcharge; Playground equipment; Agricultural-use barns (no-permit-required). Note: Thin public data: Bradley County does not publish a stand-alone permit exemption page on the public building inspections page reviewed. Exemptions listed are based on the 2018 ICC code set adopted by the county. Confirm any claimed exemption with the county. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Bradley County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Bradley County, TN via: Bradley County Planning and Inspections: (423) 728-7106. At least 24 hours advance notice required.
last verified April 2026
source Bradley County Planning and Inspections ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/bradley/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Bradley County Planning and Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.