On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Cosby
Cocke County states that it does not require a building permit or certificate of occupancy for construction activities, but it does require a development permit, assignment of a 911 address, septic permit when applicable, and a zoning permit before development or use of property proceeds.
County pages do not publish a general building-permit exemption list because the county states there is no county building permit requirement for construction activities
Development, zoning, floodplain, septic, and address assignment approvals still apply where triggered
- Exempt County pages do not publish a general building-permit exemption list because the county states there is no county building permit requirement for construction activities
- Exempt Development, zoning, floodplain, septic, and address assignment approvals still apply where triggered
Required documents
- Applicant and owner names; property address; phone number; subdivision and lot number if applicable; total acres; description of work; number of existing dwellings; site plan; front, side, and rear setbacks; contractor business name, contractor name, address, phone, proof of workers compensation insurance; affidavit of exemption if no contractor or owner-builder is claimed; development permit and septic permit when applicable.
- Building code
- The county page reviewed does not describe a countywide building code adoption for construction permits because Cocke County states it does not require a building permit or certificate of occupancy for construction activities.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly posted in the public pages reviewed.
- Owner-builder
- The county accepts an affidavit of exemption if the applicant does not have a contractor or is building the structure themselves.
- Contractor requirements
- The county zoning page requires proof of contractor license and workers compensation insurance, unless exempt by affidavit. State contractor licensing rules may also apply depending on project scope.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Planning Commission or BZA submittals must be filed at least 10 working days before the meeting; no general turnaround estimate was posted.
- 01 Confirm the parcel location, ownership, and whether the property lies in a flood zone.
- 02 Obtain any required development permit from the floodplain administrator and an E-911 address if applicable.
- 03 Prepare the zoning permit application with site plan, setbacks, contractor information, and proof of workman compensation insurance or an affidavit of exemption if owner-building.
- 04 Submit zoning materials to the county zoning department at least 10 working days before the planning commission or board of zoning appeals meeting if the matter needs review.
- 05 Obtain any septic permit required by TDEC and any other county or state approvals before development starts.
- 06 Proceed only after the county has approved the required permits and documentation.
Typical processing time: Planning Commission or BZA submittals must be filed at least 10 working days before the meeting; no general turnaround estimate was posted.
Source: Cocke County Zoning Department and Cocke County Floodplain Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Cosby building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$0 for the county development permit referenced on the E-911 page
02
Plan check fee
Not publicly posted
03
Permit fee formula
N/A for county building permits; no county building permit fee schedule was located
04
Reinspection fee
Not publicly posted
County development permits are issued at no cost. The planning commission page also states there is currently no fee to be placed on the agenda.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Not clearly posted on the public pages reviewed (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Zoning and floodplain offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Time windows
- Zoning and floodplain offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Development permit, address assignment, zoning permit, and any floodplain or septic approvals before development starts
Not publicly posted
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Cosby permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Cosby, TN? ▸
Cocke County states that it does not require a building permit or certificate of occupancy for construction activities, but it does require a development permit, assignment of a 911 address, septic permit when applicable, and a zoning permit before development or use of property proceeds.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Cosby, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Cosby, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $0 for the county development permit referenced on the E-911 page. Fees are calculated as: N/A for county building permits; no county building permit fee schedule was located. Plan check fee: Not publicly posted.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Cosby, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Cosby, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel location, ownership, and whether the property lies in a flood zone. 2. Obtain any required development permit from the floodplain administrator and an E-911 address if applicable. 3. Prepare the zoning permit application with site plan, setbacks, contractor information, and proof of workman compensation insurance or an affidavit of exemption if owner-building. 4. Submit zoning materials to the county zoning department at least 10 working days before the planning commission or board of zoning appeals meeting if the matter needs review. 5. Obtain any septic permit required by TDEC and any other county or state approvals before development starts. 6. Proceed only after the county has approved the required permits and documentation.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Cosby, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Cosby, TN typically run Planning Commission or BZA submittals must be filed at least 10 working days before the meeting; no general turnaround estimate was posted.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Cosby, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Cosby, TN. The following work is generally exempt: County pages do not publish a general building-permit exemption list because the county states there is no county building permit requirement for construction activities; Development, zoning, floodplain, septic, and address assignment approvals still apply where triggered. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Cosby, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Cosby, TN via: Not clearly posted on the public pages reviewed.
last verified April 2026
source Cocke County Zoning Department and Cocke County Floodplain Department ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/cocke/cosby
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Cocke County Zoning Department and Cocke County Floodplain Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.