On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Celina
Tennessee state residential permits are required for one and two family dwellings and townhouses in Celina city limits. State guidance also says permits are required for additions over 30 square feet to existing homes. The county building inspector is the published local contact for Celina.
Detached garages, sheds, barns, or other detached structures not used for living purposes are not subject to a state residential building permit
The state page also indicates that the permit rule is limited to one and two family dwellings and townhouses, so non-residential work follows other local or state pathways
- Exempt Detached garages, sheds, barns, or other detached structures not used for living purposes are not subject to a state residential building permit
- Exempt The state page also indicates that the permit rule is limited to one and two family dwellings and townhouses, so non-residential work follows other local or state pathways
Required documents
- State CORE application information, construction cost estimate, and project details. Local Celina or Clay County submittal requirements were not publicly posted in a separate permit packet located during research.
- Building code
- Tennessee state residential program uses the 2018 International Residential Code and 2018 International Energy Conservation Code.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly published in the sources reviewed.
- Owner-builder
- A homeowner may build the home if it will be the homeowner's residence, not for sale or lease, and the homeowner has not been issued a homeowner building permit in the prior 24 months.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor registration verification is part of the state permitting process. The state page does not fully restate local contractor licensing rules, so users should also verify any Tennessee contractor licensing and local registration requirements.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not clearly published on the local Clay County page; state CORE permits are issued after the online purchase and any required review
- 01 Confirm whether the work is covered by the state residential program, local city review, or both.
- 02 Contact the Clay County building inspector at the published Celina office for local routing and confirm any local requirements.
- 03 For state residential work, create or use a CORE account and purchase the permit online.
- 04 Submit the required project information and pay the permit fee based on construction value.
- 05 Request inspections through CORE when the project reaches the required stages.
- 06 Receive the permit and proceed with construction only after approval.
Typical processing time: Not clearly published on the local Clay County page; state CORE permits are issued after the online purchase and any required review
§ 04
Fee schedule
Celina building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100 for projects with construction cost from $0 to $5,000
02
Plan check fee
Not separately published on the public state fee page reviewed
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation based fee table, with additional charges for plumbing and HVAC inspection and for slabs other than monolithic pour
04
Reinspection fee
One free reinspection is allowed if a required inspection is not passed the first time; each additional reinspection requires an additional fee
State permits are purchased online through CORE or at a local issue agent; the state page does not indicate any local Celina payment portal
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Inspection hours
- Not published for Celina locally; state inspections are scheduled through the CORE system
- Time windows
- Not published for Celina locally; state inspections are scheduled through the CORE system
Typical sequence: Foundation prior to pour, framing and rough-in, then final construction
One free reinspection is allowed if a required inspection is failed once; additional reinspections cost extra
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Celina permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Celina, TN? ▸
Tennessee state residential permits are required for one and two family dwellings and townhouses in Celina city limits. State guidance also says permits are required for additions over 30 square feet to existing homes. The county building inspector is the published local contact for Celina.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Celina, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Celina, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100 for projects with construction cost from $0 to $5,000. Fees are calculated as: Valuation based fee table, with additional charges for plumbing and HVAC inspection and for slabs other than monolithic pour. Plan check fee: Not separately published on the public state fee page reviewed.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Celina, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Celina, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work is covered by the state residential program, local city review, or both. 2. Contact the Clay County building inspector at the published Celina office for local routing and confirm any local requirements. 3. For state residential work, create or use a CORE account and purchase the permit online. 4. Submit the required project information and pay the permit fee based on construction value. 5. Request inspections through CORE when the project reaches the required stages. 6. Receive the permit and proceed with construction only after approval.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Celina, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Celina, TN typically run Not clearly published on the local Clay County page; state CORE permits are issued after the online purchase and any required review. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Celina, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Celina, TN. The following work is generally exempt: Detached garages, sheds, barns, or other detached structures not used for living purposes are not subject to a state residential building permit; The state page also indicates that the permit rule is limited to one and two family dwellings and townhouses, so non-residential work follows other local or state pathways. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Celina, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Celina, TN via: Through CORE at https://core.tn.gov or by email to SFMO.permits-licensing@tn.gov.
last verified April 2026
source Building Inspector, Clay County Government ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/clay/celina
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Inspector, Clay County Government before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.