How much does a building permit cost in Henderson, TN?

The minimum permit fee is $20 for accessory buildings under $2,000. For other construction, no fee unless an inspection is required, in which case $30 applies.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Valuation based schedule for most projects, plus flat fees for accessory buildings, pools, house moving, reinspection, and penalties.. Plan check fee: When valuation exceeds $250,000 for construction other than one or two family dwellings, plans review fee equals 25 percent of required permit fees, capped at $2,000..

How do I apply for a building permit in Henderson, TN?

1. Confirm whether the project is inside the City of Henderson or the Henderson Planning Region. 2. Contact the Building and Zoning Department before starting work. 3. Complete the building permit application with project details, valuation, contractor information, and any required supporting documents. 4. Submit the application to the department for review and zoning compliance. 5. Pay the applicable permit fee based on valuation or the specific fee schedule. 6. Receive permit approval before beginning regulated work. 7. Call for required inspections during construction. 8. Obtain final inspection approval and, if applicable, certificate of occupancy.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Henderson, TN?

Typical processing time is Not publicly posted.

What work is exempt from building permits in Henderson, TN?

The following work is generally exempt: General maintenance of existing buildings; Painting; Floor coverings; Roof coverings; Sidewalks; Patios; Minor repairs to plumbing fixtures; Minor repairs to mechanical fixtures; Minor repairs to electrical fixtures or appliances, so long as no structural member or required egress is altered.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Henderson, TN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspections are handled by the Building and Zoning Department. The public page does not describe an online inspection scheduler; contact the department directly..

City Building Permits

Henderson, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Tennessee Chester County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Handles building and zoning enforcement for the City of Henderson and the Henderson Planning Region, which is the area outside city limits where the city has been granted building and zoning authority.

Department: City of Henderson Building and Zoning Department
Address: Henderson City Hall, 121 Crook Ave, P.O. Box 68, Henderson, TN 38340-0068
Phone: (731) 983-5000
Email: Public email link is present on the city page , but the address is not exposed in the crawled text. Thin data.
Website: https://www.hendersontn.gov/building_zoning.html

Online Permit Portal

Open Portal

Platform: None publicly posted for permit submission • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

Confirm whether the project is inside the City of Henderson or the Henderson Planning Region.
Contact the Building and Zoning Department before starting work.
Complete the building permit application with project details, valuation, contractor information, and any required supporting documents.
Submit the application to the department for review and zoning compliance.
Pay the applicable permit fee based on valuation or the specific fee schedule.
Receive permit approval before beginning regulated work.
Call for required inspections during construction.
Obtain final inspection approval and, if applicable, certificate of occupancy.

Typical processing time: Not publicly posted

Source: City of Henderson Building and Zoning Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required in the City of Henderson and the Henderson Planning Region for new construction, additions, renovations, major repairs, and manufactured or modular buildings with a construction value of $2,000 or more. General maintenance such as painting, floor coverings, roof coverings, sidewalks, patios, and minor repairs to plumbing, fixtures, mechanical fixtures, or electrical fixtures or appliances does not require a permit if there is no structural work or change to required egress.

Required Documents

The public fee and process materials show an application with property description, parcel data, owner and contractor information, valuation, structure use, flood zone info, septic permit status, and description of work. The site also references a planning region map and related permit forms.

Permit validity: City fee resolution does not state expiration in the crawled text; county permit materials below note a six month expiration. City-specific expiration was not found publicly on the page. Thin data.
Building code: 2018 International Residential Code with local exceptions; 2018 International Building Code; 2018 International Plumbing Code; 2018 International Mechanical Code; 2018 International Property Maintenance Code; 2018 International Fire Code and/or 2006 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code with local exceptions; 2018 International Energy Conversation Code; electrical and accessibility code per current State of Tennessee adoption.
Owner-builder: The property owner can obtain a permit for a private residence. The owner assumes liability and workers compensation responsibility. State law limits new home construction to one personal residence every two years.
Contractor requirements: A licensed contractor may serve as general contractor for any project up to the monetary limit set by the state and must show proof of workers compensation and a current state contractor license number. A workman can obtain a permit for jobs under $25,000 if workers compensation coverage or a waiver is provided.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $20 for accessory buildings under $2,000. For other construction, no fee unless an inspection is required, in which case $30 applies.
Plan check fee: When valuation exceeds $250,000 for construction other than one or two family dwellings, plans review fee equals 25 percent of required permit fees, capped at $2,000.
Permit fee formula: Mixed. Valuation based schedule for most projects, plus flat fees for accessory buildings, pools, house moving, reinspection, and penalties.
Reinspection fee: Reinspection fee $30. Work started before permit doubles the permit fee.
Payment note: Public page does not identify an online payment workflow for permits.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Henderson Building and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspections are handled by the Building and Zoning Department. The public page does not describe an online inspection scheduler; contact the department directly. (online)

Inspection hours: City office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Time windows: City office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Footing, foundation wall if needed, flooring, rough-in underground plumbing, gas plumbing rough-in if needed, framing, insulation, sprinkler hydro test if needed for commercial structures, gas plumbing final if needed, final inspection and certificate of occupancy.

Reinspection fee is $30. Work done before permit issuance doubles the permit fee.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 International Residential Code with local exceptions; 2018 International Building Code; 2018 International Plumbing Code; 2018 International Mechanical Code; 2018 International Property Maintenance Code; 2018 International Fire Code and/or 2006 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code with local exceptions; 2018 International Energy Conversation Code; electrical and accessibility code per current State of Tennessee adoption.
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 City of Henderson Building and Zoning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Henderson Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Henderson, TN?: A building permit is required in the City of Henderson and the Henderson Planning Region for new construction, additions, renovations, major repairs, and manufactured or modular buildings with a construction value of $2,000 or more. General maintenance such as painting, floor coverings, roof coverings, sidewalks, patios, and minor repairs to plumbing, fixtures, mechanical fixtures, or electrical fixtures or appliances does not require a permit if there is no structural work or change to required egress.
How much does a building permit cost in Henderson, TN?: The minimum permit fee is $20 for accessory buildings under $2,000. For other construction, no fee unless an inspection is required, in which case $30 applies.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Valuation based schedule for most projects, plus flat fees for accessory buildings, pools, house moving, reinspection, and penalties.. Plan check fee: When valuation exceeds $250,000 for construction other than one or two family dwellings, plans review fee equals 25 percent of required permit fees, capped at $2,000..
How do I apply for a building permit in Henderson, TN?: 1. Confirm whether the project is inside the City of Henderson or the Henderson Planning Region. 2. Contact the Building and Zoning Department before starting work. 3. Complete the building permit application with project details, valuation, contractor information, and any required supporting documents. 4. Submit the application to the department for review and zoning compliance. 5. Pay the applicable permit fee based on valuation or the specific fee schedule. 6. Receive permit approval before beginning regulated work. 7. Call for required inspections during construction. 8. Obtain final inspection approval and, if applicable, certificate of occupancy.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Henderson, TN?: Typical processing time is Not publicly posted.
What work is exempt from building permits in Henderson, TN?: The following work is generally exempt: General maintenance of existing buildings; Painting; Floor coverings; Roof coverings; Sidewalks; Patios; Minor repairs to plumbing fixtures; Minor repairs to mechanical fixtures; Minor repairs to electrical fixtures or appliances, so long as no structural member or required egress is altered.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Henderson, TN?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspections are handled by the Building and Zoning Department. The public page does not describe an online inspection scheduler; contact the department directly..

Need help with your project?

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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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