County Building Permits
Campbell County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Campbell County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Campbell County states that the county does not have a county-wide zoning commission, zoning is by municipality, and county building permits are issued through the County Clerk; the state fire marshal program also lists Campbell County itself as a state residential permit jurisdiction for unincorporated areas.
- Department
- Campbell County Clerk for county building permits; Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office for state residential permits in the county's unincorporated areas
- Address
- 590 Main Street, Suite A 21, Jacksboro, TN 37757
- Phone
- 423-562-4985
- Not located publicly
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CORE, the Comprehensive Online Regulatory & Enforcement System • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm that the property is in unincorporated Campbell County and not inside a city limit.
- Obtain a septic permit before the county building permit, per County Clerk guidance.
- Apply for the county building permit at the County Clerk's office with the owner name, address, and square footage of living space.
- If the project is a one- or two-family dwelling or townhouse in an area covered by the state program, purchase the state residential permit in CORE and request inspections there as needed.
- Obtain the issued permit before starting construction.
- Schedule inspections with the applicable county or state authority depending on the permit path used.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated
General Requirements
Campbell County says a county building permit grants legal permission to construct, enlarge, or remodel a building within Campbell County; the county also requires a septic permit before issuing the building permit
Required Documents
- Owner name, property address, square footage of living space; septic permit confirmation; state residential permit items are handled in CORE where applicable
- Permit validity
- County permit expiration not publicly stated; state residential permit rules state additions over 30 square feet require a permit and detached garages, sheds, barns, and other detached structures not used for living purposes do not require a state residential permit
- Building code
- County did not surface a county-wide zoning commission on the public site; state residential code applies in the county where listed by SFMO
- Owner-builder
- Not located publicly
- Contractor requirements
- Tennessee contractor licensing law applies; projects at or above the state threshold generally require a licensed contractor, and workers' compensation rules may apply
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Not located publicly
- Plan check fee
- Not located publicly
- Permit fee formula
- Not publicly located for county permits; state residential permit fee structure is in CORE
- Reinspection fee
- Not located publicly
- Payment note
- County Clerk advises to contact the office for fee information; state permit payments are processed through CORE
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Campbell County Clerk for county building permits; Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office for state residential permits in the county's unincorporated areas to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- CORE for state residential permits; county inspection scheduling details were not publicly stated (phone)
- Inspection hours
- County Clerk office hours on the public page vary by location
- Time windows
- County Clerk office hours on the public page vary by location
Typical inspection sequence: Septic permit first, then county building permit, then inspections as required by the issuing authority
State inspections can be requested through CORE or by email to SFMO.permits-licensing@tn.gov with permit number and ready date
Additional Resources
- Building code: County did not surface a county-wide zoning commission on the public site; state residential code applies in the county where listed by SFMO
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- 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 Campbell County Clerk for county building permits; Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office for state residential permits in the county's unincorporated areas before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Campbell County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Campbell County, TN?
- Campbell County says a county building permit grants legal permission to construct, enlarge, or remodel a building within Campbell County; the county also requires a septic permit before issuing the building permit
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Campbell County, TN?
- The minimum permit fee is Not located publicly. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly located for county permits; state residential permit fee structure is in CORE. Plan check fee: Not located publicly.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Campbell County, TN?
- 1. Confirm that the property is in unincorporated Campbell County and not inside a city limit. 2. Obtain a septic permit before the county building permit, per County Clerk guidance. 3. Apply for the county building permit at the County Clerk's office with the owner name, address, and square footage of living space. 4. If the project is a one- or two-family dwelling or townhouse in an area covered by the state program, purchase the state residential permit in CORE and request inspections there as needed. 5. Obtain the issued permit before starting construction. 6. Schedule inspections with the applicable county or state authority depending on the permit path used.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Campbell County, TN?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Campbell County, TN?
- The following work is generally exempt: State residential permit is not required for detached garages, sheds, barns, or other detached structures not used for living purposes; The county public page does not publish a county building permit exemption list beyond state program rules; Zoning is by municipality, not county-wide.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Campbell County, TN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: CORE for state residential permits; county inspection scheduling details were not publicly stated.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Unincorporated Campbell 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.
Learn how Jaspector works