County Building Permits
Cumberland County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
This is the county's core jurisdiction. The county states it has the primary responsibility for issuing building permits and inspecting residential and commercial properties countywide beginning January 1, 2024.
- Department
- Cumberland County Codes Department
- Address
- 1760 S Main Street, Crossville, TN 38555
- Phone
- (931) 710-5727
Online Permit Portal
Platform: iWorQ • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Cumberland County.
- Gather the required project documents and licenses.
- Apply in person at the county office or online through the iWorQ portal.
- If the owner is acting as the contractor, submit the homeowner affidavit.
- If a contractor is pulling the permit, provide licensing and insurance documents.
- Pay the fee and obtain the permit before starting work.
- Request inspections through the portal, by email, or by phone in the required order.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated on the county pages reviewed.
General Requirements
For residential new construction dwellings, building, plumbing, and mechanical/HVAC/gas piping permits are required. For commercial new construction, remodels, or additions, plan review plus building, plumbing, and mechanical/HVAC/gas piping permits are required.
Required Documents
- Address verification from 911 addressing, septic permit and layout, legible construction plans with square footages, and a homeowner affidavit if the owner is the general contractor.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly published in the sources reviewed.
- Building code
- County-adopted 2018 IRC, 2018 IBC, and related 2018 code family with county amendments.
- Owner-builder
- Yes. The county has a homeowner affidavit for building permits.
- Contractor requirements
- State licensed general contractors must show Tennessee license, workers' compensation or exemption, and liability insurance. Non-state-licensed applicants seeking plumbing or HVAC/gas piping permits need the county special plumbing/mechanical license. Projects over $25,000 require a state certified license.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $25.00
- Plan check fee
- Not separately identified in the fee schedule reviewed.
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based building permit fee schedule, plus square-footage-based plumbing and mechanical fees.
- Reinspection fee
- $100.00 per reinspection after two reinspections at no charge.
- Payment note
- The public documents reviewed do not publish payment method details.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Cumberland County Codes Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Online through the county portal, by email to codes@cumberlandcountytn.gov, or by phone at (931) 710-5727 (online)
- Inspection hours
- County office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Time windows
- County office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Typical inspection sequence: Footing, slabs, foundation, rough-ins, energy/insulation, final
A $100 reinspection fee is charged after two failed inspections at no charge. No inspections are scheduled without a permit.
Additional Resources
- Building code: County-adopted 2018 IRC, 2018 IBC, and related 2018 code family with county amendments.
- 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 Cumberland County Codes Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cumberland County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN?
- For residential new construction dwellings, building, plumbing, and mechanical/HVAC/gas piping permits are required. For commercial new construction, remodels, or additions, plan review plus building, plumbing, and mechanical/HVAC/gas piping permits are required.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN?
- The minimum permit fee is $25.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based building permit fee schedule, plus square-footage-based plumbing and mechanical fees.. Plan check fee: Not separately identified in the fee schedule reviewed..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Cumberland County. 2. Gather the required project documents and licenses. 3. Apply in person at the county office or online through the iWorQ portal. 4. If the owner is acting as the contractor, submit the homeowner affidavit. 5. If a contractor is pulling the permit, provide licensing and insurance documents. 6. Pay the fee and obtain the permit before starting work. 7. Request inspections through the portal, by email, or by phone in the required order.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated on the county pages reviewed..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agriculture buildings are exempt from requiring permits; Accessory buildings, garages, and decks that are not part of new residential construction are exempt; The county resolution also exempts the R-19 insulation requirement in the floor joints of residential vented crawl spaces.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Online through the county portal, by email to codes@cumberlandcountytn.gov, or by phone at (931) 710-5727.
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