County Building Permits

Coffee County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Tennessee Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

This is the county authority for unincorporated Coffee County. City limits of Manchester and Tullahoma are separate city jurisdictions. Normandy city limits are handled through the state residential permit system, not the county, even if a parcel address references Coffee County.

Department
Coffee County Codes Compliance / Coffee County Codes Department
Address
1329 McArthur Street, Suite 2, Manchester, TN 37355
Phone
931-723-4841

Online Permit Portal

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

Application Process

  1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Coffee County and not inside Manchester, Tullahoma, or Normandy city limits.
  2. Contact Coffee County Codes Compliance to confirm whether the proposed work needs a permit or zoning review.
  3. Prepare the permit application, site plan, and supporting documents.
  4. Submit the application to Codes Compliance.
  5. Pay the permit fee.
  6. Coordinate inspections with the county inspector.
  7. Obtain final approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated.

Source: Coffee County Codes Compliance / Coffee County Codes Department

General Requirements

County documents show permit fees and inspections for construction activity, and county zoning review for site plan and planning matters. The public sources reviewed do not provide a single countywide exemption chart.

Required Documents

  • County planning commission application materials, site plans for commercial and industrial developments, and permit application information.
Permit validity
Permits are valid for 180 days from the issue date.
Building code
County inspection guidance cites 2018 IRC codes, 2018 IRC lumber span charts, and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.
Owner-builder
Not clearly published in the reviewed public sources.
Contractor requirements
Not clearly published in the reviewed public sources.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
The public fee table starts at $15 for $1,000 valuation.
Plan check fee
Not clearly published in the reviewed public sources.
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based fee table, with square-foot pricing for finished and unfinished space.
Reinspection fee
One free inspection, then $100 per re-inspection.
Payment note
No public online payment workflow was identified for building permits in the reviewed sources.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Coffee County Codes Compliance / Coffee County Codes Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Call Codes Inspector Terry Floyd at 931-723-4841 to set up inspections. (phone)
Inspection hours
Coffee County Codes Compliance office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch.
Time windows
Coffee County Codes Compliance office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch.

Typical inspection sequence: Footing, framing/rough-in, insulation, and final inspection.

One free inspection, then $100 for re-inspection.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Coffee County Codes Compliance / Coffee County Codes Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coffee County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Coffee County, TN?
County documents show permit fees and inspections for construction activity, and county zoning review for site plan and planning matters. The public sources reviewed do not provide a single countywide exemption chart.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Coffee County, TN?
The minimum permit fee is The public fee table starts at $15 for $1,000 valuation.. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based fee table, with square-foot pricing for finished and unfinished space.. Plan check fee: Not clearly published in the reviewed public sources..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Coffee County, TN?
1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Coffee County and not inside Manchester, Tullahoma, or Normandy city limits. 2. Contact Coffee County Codes Compliance to confirm whether the proposed work needs a permit or zoning review. 3. Prepare the permit application, site plan, and supporting documents. 4. Submit the application to Codes Compliance. 5. Pay the permit fee. 6. Coordinate inspections with the county inspector. 7. Obtain final approval and certificate of occupancy where applicable.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Coffee County, TN?
Typical processing time is Not publicly stated..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Coffee County, TN?
The following work is generally exempt: No countywide exemption list was found on the main public pages reviewed.; Thin public data note: exempt work guidance appears to be handled case by case through the Codes Compliance office..
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Coffee County, TN?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Call Codes Inspector Terry Floyd at 931-723-4841 to set up inspections..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated Coffee 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.

Learn how Jaspector works
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.
← Back to Coffee County permit guides