County Building Permits
Cannon County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cannon County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
The county zoning and building codes resolution expressly applies to the unincorporated territory of Cannon County outside municipal corporations. This is the clearest and most direct county permitting jurisdiction.
- Department
- Cannon County Planning Department
- Address
- 200 W. Main St., Woodbury, TN 37190
- Phone
- (615) 563-5263
Online Permit Portal
Platform: iWorQ Systems • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm property data in the county portal, including zoning, parcel, and floodplain status.
- Complete the county building permit application.
- Submit online through iWorQ or in person at the county planning office.
- Pay the building permit fee and impact fees.
- Receive permit review and issuance.
- Start work within 180 days.
- Call for required inspections and final approval.
Typical processing time: Inspections are due within three working days of request, except footer inspections within one working day.
General Requirements
County materials require a permit before disturbing soil for construction. The code applies to new construction and additions over 30 square feet.
Required Documents
- Square footage, map and parcel number, foundation type, estimated construction cost, and any portal-required parcel data. For temporary uses and other special cases, additional site plan or graphic materials may be required.
- Permit validity
- Work must begin within 180 days. Permits expire on completion, at certificate of occupancy, or two years after issuance unless extended in writing for substantial progress.
- Building code
- 2018 IRC and 2018 IECC. The county zoning and building codes resolution also references county building permit administration under the Building Commissioner and Land Use Administrator.
- Owner-builder
- Owner may build one single residence for personal use once every two years without a contractor license, subject to Tennessee contractor licensing limits on hired work of $25,000 or more.
- Contractor requirements
- Verify contractor status at verify.tn.gov. Tennessee licensing rules apply.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $200 for estimated construction cost $0 to $5,000, or $300 with a slab other than monolithic pour
- Plan check fee
- No separate plan check fee was found in the reviewed public sources
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based on estimated construction cost
- Reinspection fee
- One free reinspection per permit; additional reinspections are $100 each
- Payment note
- E-check or credit card accepted. Credit card transactions add a 3.5% service charge. Impact fees include AFT at $0.90 per square foot of heated space and ZCF at $0.95 per square foot of heated space.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Cannon County Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- The permit holder schedules inspections with the Planning Department or through the portal. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- No public inspection hours were found. The timing standard is three working days after request, one working day for footer inspections.
- Time windows
- No public inspection hours were found. The timing standard is three working days after request, one working day for footer inspections.
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation, rough-in/framing, plumbing and mechanical systems, and final inspection prior to occupancy.
One free reinspection per permit; later reinspections are $100 each.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 IRC and 2018 IECC. The county zoning and building codes resolution also references county building permit administration under the Building Commissioner and Land Use Administrator.
- 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 Cannon County Planning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cannon County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cannon County, TN?
- County materials require a permit before disturbing soil for construction. The code applies to new construction and additions over 30 square feet.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cannon County, TN?
- The minimum permit fee is $200 for estimated construction cost $0 to $5,000, or $300 with a slab other than monolithic pour. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based on estimated construction cost. Plan check fee: No separate plan check fee was found in the reviewed public sources.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cannon County, TN?
- 1. Confirm property data in the county portal, including zoning, parcel, and floodplain status. 2. Complete the county building permit application. 3. Submit online through iWorQ or in person at the county planning office. 4. Pay the building permit fee and impact fees. 5. Receive permit review and issuance. 6. Start work within 180 days. 7. Call for required inspections and final approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cannon County, TN?
- Typical processing time is Inspections are due within three working days of request, except footer inspections within one working day..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cannon County, TN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Manufactured and modular homes are factory-inspected and do not require a residential building permit, though impact fees still apply.; Ordinary renovations are not covered by the county residential code described in the FAQ.; The county permit is not a grading or fill approval, floodplain determination, septic or sewer permit, electrical permit, or zoning approval..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cannon County, TN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: The permit holder schedules inspections with the Planning Department or through the portal..
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