How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chester County, TN?

The minimum permit fee is County permit schedule starts at $30 for valuations up to $2,000. The public PDF also lists accessory and special-purpose flat fees.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Valuation-based schedule for most building permits, plus flat fees for pools, house moving, demolition, manufactured homes, temporary permits, and special planning items.. Plan check fee: For construction over $249,999, excluding one or two family dwellings, state plan review fee is 25 percent of the required permit fee with a maximum of $2,000..

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Chester County, TN?

Typical processing time is Not publicly posted.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Chester County, 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 unincorporated Chester County, TN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: The county states that site visits, inspections, and field work are normally scheduled or conducted between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Morning inspections are by exception only. Inspection scheduling is otherwise handled through direct contact with the department..

County Building Permits

Chester County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Tennessee Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Covers the unincorporated area of Chester County, including the county area outside Henderson planning region boundaries. The county page states that residential building permits have been required in all of Chester County since 2017.

Department: Chester County Building and Zoning Department, Permits, Compliance and Enforcement
Address: Chester County Government, 159 East Main Street, Henderson, TN 38340; mailing address PO Box 183, Henderson, TN 38340
Phone: (731) 983-0121 office; (731) 608-7984 cell; county main line (731) 989-5672
Email: Public email link is referenced , but the crawled text does not expose the actual address. Thin data.
Website: https://chestercountytn.org/bldg_zoning.html

Online Permit Portal

Open Portal

Platform: E-Ring, Inc. powered Citizen Access Portal for assessor/property access • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

Confirm the project is in unincorporated Chester County and not in the Henderson Planning Region.
Contact the Building and Zoning Department before beginning work.
Obtain and complete the zoning compliance application or related permit form from the county office.
Provide parcel information, owner and contractor information, estimated cost, flood zone information if relevant, septic documentation if relevant, and project description.
Submit the application to the county office for zoning and permit review.
Pay the required permit fee and, if applicable, state plan review or planning commission fee.
Do not begin work until the permit is issued.
Call for inspections during construction and obtain final approval and occupancy permit where required.

Typical processing time: Not publicly posted

Source: Chester County Building and Zoning Department, Permits, Compliance and Enforcement

General Requirements

Building permits are required in Chester County and the Chester County Planning Region for new construction, additions, renovations, major repairs, and manufactured or modular buildings with a construction value of $2,000 or more. Outbuildings or car covers under $2,000 should still be checked with the building official for approved location. General maintenance such as painting, floor coverings, roof coverings, sidewalks, patios, and minor fixture repairs does not require a permit if no structural member or egress is changed.

Required Documents

The county form requests map and parcel number, acreage, zoning, owner contact info, contractor and license info, type and use of structure, accessory or telecommunication details, mobile home details if relevant, estimated cost, setbacks, flood zone and flood map info, and septic permit documentation where applicable.

Permit validity: All county permits expire six months from date issued.
Building code: 2018 International Residential Code with local exceptions; 2012 International Building Code; 2018 International Plumbing Code; 2018 International Mechanical Code; 2018 International Property Maintenance Code; 2018 International Fire Code and/or 2018 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code; 2018 International Energy Conversation Code; electrical and accessibility per current State of Tennessee adoption.
Owner-builder: The property owner may obtain a permit for a private residence. The owner assumes legal responsibility and workers compensation responsibility. State law limits new home construction to one personal residence every two years.
Contractor requirements: A workman can obtain a permit for any job under $25,000 if workers compensation insurance is carried or a waiver is signed where applicable. A licensed contractor may serve as general contractor on projects within the state monetary limit and must show proof of workers compensation and a current state contractor license number.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: County permit schedule starts at $30 for valuations up to $2,000. The public PDF also lists accessory and special-purpose flat fees.
Plan check fee: For construction over $249,999, excluding one or two family dwellings, state plan review fee is 25 percent of the required permit fee with a maximum of $2,000.
Permit fee formula: Mixed. Valuation-based schedule for most building permits, plus flat fees for pools, house moving, demolition, manufactured homes, temporary permits, and special planning items.
Reinspection fee: Reinspection fee $30. Work begun before permit issuance is charged at two times the described fee.
Payment note: Public materials do not describe online payment. County permit processing appears to be handled through the office directly.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Chester County Building and Zoning Department, Permits, Compliance and Enforcement to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

The county states that site visits, inspections, and field work are normally scheduled or conducted between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Morning inspections are by exception only. Inspection scheduling is otherwise handled through direct contact with the department. (phone)

Inspection hours: Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inspection window is generally 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Time windows: Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inspection window is generally 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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

Reinspection fee is $30. Work started before permit issuance is subject to a two times fee penalty.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 International Residential Code with local exceptions; 2012 International Building Code; 2018 International Plumbing Code; 2018 International Mechanical Code; 2018 International Property Maintenance Code; 2018 International Fire Code and/or 2018 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code; 2018 International Fuel Gas Code; 2018 International Energy Conversation Code; electrical and accessibility 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 Chester County Building and Zoning Department, Permits, Compliance and Enforcement before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chester County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Chester County, TN?: Building permits are required in Chester County and the Chester County Planning Region for new construction, additions, renovations, major repairs, and manufactured or modular buildings with a construction value of $2,000 or more. Outbuildings or car covers under $2,000 should still be checked with the building official for approved location. General maintenance such as painting, floor coverings, roof coverings, sidewalks, patios, and minor fixture repairs does not require a permit if no structural member or egress is changed.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chester County, TN?: The minimum permit fee is County permit schedule starts at $30 for valuations up to $2,000. The public PDF also lists accessory and special-purpose flat fees.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Valuation-based schedule for most building permits, plus flat fees for pools, house moving, demolition, manufactured homes, temporary permits, and special planning items.. Plan check fee: For construction over $249,999, excluding one or two family dwellings, state plan review fee is 25 percent of the required permit fee with a maximum of $2,000..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chester County, TN?: 1. Confirm the project is in unincorporated Chester County and not in the Henderson Planning Region. 2. Contact the Building and Zoning Department before beginning work. 3. Obtain and complete the zoning compliance application or related permit form from the county office. 4. Provide parcel information, owner and contractor information, estimated cost, flood zone information if relevant, septic documentation if relevant, and project description. 5. Submit the application to the county office for zoning and permit review. 6. Pay the required permit fee and, if applicable, state plan review or planning commission fee. 7. Do not begin work until the permit is issued. 8. Call for inspections during construction and obtain final approval and occupancy permit where required.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Chester County, TN?: Typical processing time is Not publicly posted.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Chester County, 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 unincorporated Chester County, TN?: Inspections can be scheduled via: The county states that site visits, inspections, and field work are normally scheduled or conducted between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Morning inspections are by exception only. Inspection scheduling is otherwise handled through direct contact with the department..

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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