On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Cumberland County
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.
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
- Exempt Agriculture buildings are exempt from requiring permits
- Exempt Accessory buildings, garages, and decks that are not part of new residential construction are exempt
- Exempt The county resolution also exempts the R-19 insulation requirement in the floor joints of residential vented crawl spaces
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.
- Building code
- County-adopted 2018 IRC, 2018 IBC, and related 2018 code family with county amendments.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly published in the sources reviewed.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly stated on the county pages reviewed.
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Cumberland County.
- 02 Gather the required project documents and licenses.
- 03 Apply in person at the county office or online through the iWorQ portal.
- 04 If the owner is acting as the contractor, submit the homeowner affidavit.
- 05 If a contractor is pulling the permit, provide licensing and insurance documents.
- 06 Pay the fee and obtain the permit before starting work.
- 07 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Cumberland County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25.00
02
Plan check fee
Not separately identified in the fee schedule reviewed.
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based building permit fee schedule, plus square-footage-based plumbing and mechanical fees.
04
Reinspection fee
$100.00 per reinspection after two reinspections at no charge.
The public documents reviewed do not publish payment method details.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Cumberland County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN typically run Not publicly stated on the county pages reviewed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cumberland County, TN via: Online through the county portal, by email to codes@cumberlandcountytn.gov, or by phone at (931) 710-5727.
last verified April 2026
source Cumberland County Codes Department ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/cumberland/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Cumberland County Codes Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.