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

The minimum permit fee is Not publicly available for county-specific permits; state residential permits start at $100 for $0 to $5,000 construction value. Fees are calculated as: State residential permits use a valuation-based fee table. County-specific fee formulas were not clearly published.. Plan check fee: Not clearly published.

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

Typical processing time is Not publicly posted in the sources reviewed.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Detached garages, sheds, barns, or other detached structures not used for living purposes are exempt from the state residential permit program; Work outside the state residential dwelling and townhouse category may follow a different local or state path; No county-specific exempt-work list was publicly located.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clay County, TN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: State residential inspections are scheduled through CORE. No county-specific inspection scheduler was found..

County Building Permits

Clay County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Tennessee Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

The Clay County government site publishes a county building inspector in Celina. That is the only clearly identified local permit contact found in public sources reviewed. Thin public data on a standalone county building-code department or portal.

Department: Clay County Building Inspector, Clay County Government
Address: 112 W Lake Ave, Celina, TN 38551
Phone: 931-243-2165
Email: ablakelyicc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.claycountytngov.com/

Online Permit Portal

Open Portal

Platform: None found • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

Contact the Clay County building inspector to confirm the required county and state path for the project.
Determine whether the work is residential and subject to the Tennessee state permit program, or whether a county local permit applies.
Gather plans, site details, cost information, and any trade-related documents the office requests.
Submit the application in the manner directed by the county or, for state residential work, through CORE.
Pay required fees and wait for approval.
Schedule inspections as directed before proceeding to covered construction stages.

Typical processing time: Not publicly posted in the sources reviewed

Source: Clay County Building Inspector, Clay County Government

General Requirements

Public sources did not expose a Clay County ordinance or permit packet with a complete county-specific trigger list. In practice, the county publishes a building inspector and Tennessee state residential permits apply to some rural jurisdictions by statute. Verify the exact permit path with the county before starting work.

Required Documents

Not clearly published in the sources reviewed for county-specific permits; state residential work uses project information and construction cost data through CORE.

Permit validity: Not clearly published in the sources reviewed.
Building code: The state residential program adopts the 2018 IRC and 2018 IECC. A county-specific local adopted code was not clearly published in the sources reviewed.
Owner-builder: For state residential permits, a homeowner may build only if the home will be the homeowner's residence, not for sale or lease, and the homeowner has not held a homeowner building permit within the prior 24 months.
Contractor requirements: State residential permitting includes contractor registration verification. County-specific license language was not clearly published in the sources reviewed.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Not publicly available for county-specific permits; state residential permits start at $100 for $0 to $5,000 construction value
Plan check fee: Not clearly published
Permit fee formula: State residential permits use a valuation-based fee table. County-specific fee formulas were not clearly published.
Reinspection fee: State residential program allows one free reinspection and charges for additional reinspections. County-specific penalty fees were not located.
Payment note: No county online payment portal was found. State CORE permits are purchased online or through issue agents.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Clay County Building Inspector, Clay County Government to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

State residential inspections are scheduled through CORE. No county-specific inspection scheduler was found. (phone)

Inspection hours: The county building inspector is published with Tuesday and Thursday office hours, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Time windows: The county building inspector is published with Tuesday and Thursday office hours, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: For state residential work, foundation prior to pour, framing and rough-in, then final construction

One free reinspection under the state residential program, then additional fees for further reinspections

Additional Resources

Building code: The state residential program adopts the 2018 IRC and 2018 IECC. A county-specific local adopted code was not clearly published in the sources reviewed.
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 Clay County Building Inspector, Clay County Government before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clay County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Clay County, TN?: Public sources did not expose a Clay County ordinance or permit packet with a complete county-specific trigger list. In practice, the county publishes a building inspector and Tennessee state residential permits apply to some rural jurisdictions by statute. Verify the exact permit path with the county before starting work.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Clay County, TN?: The minimum permit fee is Not publicly available for county-specific permits; state residential permits start at $100 for $0 to $5,000 construction value. Fees are calculated as: State residential permits use a valuation-based fee table. County-specific fee formulas were not clearly published.. Plan check fee: Not clearly published.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clay County, TN?: 1. Contact the Clay County building inspector to confirm the required county and state path for the project. 2. Determine whether the work is residential and subject to the Tennessee state permit program, or whether a county local permit applies. 3. Gather plans, site details, cost information, and any trade-related documents the office requests. 4. Submit the application in the manner directed by the county or, for state residential work, through CORE. 5. Pay required fees and wait for approval. 6. Schedule inspections as directed before proceeding to covered construction stages.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Clay County, TN?: Typical processing time is Not publicly posted in the sources reviewed.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Clay County, TN?: The following work is generally exempt: Detached garages, sheds, barns, or other detached structures not used for living purposes are exempt from the state residential permit program; Work outside the state residential dwelling and townhouse category may follow a different local or state path; No county-specific exempt-work list was publicly located.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clay County, TN?: Inspections can be scheduled via: State residential inspections are scheduled through CORE. No county-specific inspection scheduler was found..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated Clay County can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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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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