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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Henderson
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.
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
- Exempt General maintenance of existing buildings
- Exempt Painting
- Exempt Floor coverings
- Exempt Roof coverings
- Exempt Sidewalks
- Exempt Patios
- Exempt Minor repairs to plumbing fixtures
- Exempt Minor repairs to mechanical fixtures
- Exempt Minor repairs to electrical fixtures or appliances, so long as no structural member or required egress is altered
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly posted
- 01 Confirm whether the project is inside the City of Henderson or the Henderson Planning Region.
- 02 Contact the Building and Zoning Department before starting work.
- 03 Complete the building permit application with project details, valuation, contractor information, and any required supporting documents.
- 04 Submit the application to the department for review and zoning compliance.
- 05 Pay the applicable permit fee based on valuation or the specific fee schedule.
- 06 Receive permit approval before beginning regulated work.
- 07 Call for required inspections during construction.
- 08 Obtain final inspection approval and, if applicable, certificate of occupancy.
Typical processing time: Not publicly posted
§ 04
Fee schedule
Henderson building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
02
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.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Valuation based schedule for most projects, plus flat fees for accessory buildings, pools, house moving, reinspection, and penalties.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fee $30. Work started before permit doubles the permit fee.
Public page does not identify an online payment workflow for permits.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Henderson permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Henderson, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Henderson, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Henderson, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Henderson, TN, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Henderson, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Henderson, TN typically run Not publicly posted. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Henderson, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Henderson, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Henderson, TN via: Inspections are handled by the Building and Zoning Department. The public page does not describe an online inspection scheduler; contact the department directly..
last verified April 2026
source City of Henderson Building and Zoning Department ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/chester/henderson
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Henderson Building and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.