City Building Permits

Decaturville, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Tennessee Decatur County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Decaturville is a city in Decatur County. For one and two family residential work, Decaturville is listed by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office as a state residential permit jurisdiction, so state permit routing applies for covered residential work. The town site reviewed did not show a dedicated local building department page.

Department
Town of Decaturville, City Hall / Town Hall
Address
29 E Main Street, Decaturville, TN 38329
Phone
(731) 852-2034

Online Permit Portal

Platform: CORE, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Comprehensive Online Regulatory and Enforcement System • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Confirm the project location is within Decaturville city limits and determine whether the work is covered by the state residential permit program.
  2. If the work is new one or two family residential construction, or another covered residential project, apply for the state residential building permit through CORE or a local issuing agent.
  3. Enter estimated construction cost and project details, then purchase the permit.
  4. Complete work only after the permit is issued and any other local approvals are in place.
  5. Request inspections through CORE or through the permit holder workflow.

Typical processing time: Inspections are required within three working days of request, and footer inspections within one working day. The public state FAQ does not give a permit issuance turnaround time.

Source: Town of Decaturville, City Hall / Town Hall

General Requirements

The state residential permit is required for covered one and two family residential construction in Decaturville. The state also requires permits for additions over 30 square feet. Manufactured or modular homes do not require a residential building permit unless custom site work, a deck, porch, or stoop is added.

Required Documents

  • Public state guidance calls for project and cost information through CORE. The town did not publish a local checklist on the pages reviewed.
Permit validity
Work must start within 180 days after issue. The permit expires upon completion and in all cases two years from issue or certificate of occupancy, whichever occurs first, unless an exception is granted in writing.
Building code
Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office has adopted the 2018 International Residential Code and the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code for this program.
Owner-builder
A homeowner may construct one single residence for personal use once every two years without a contractor license, if it is not for resale, lease, or rent. Anyone hired by the owner for $25,000 or more of work must be licensed.
Contractor requirements
Tennessee contractor licensing rules apply. The state FAQ directs users to verify.tn.gov for license checks. Homeowner work is subject to the state exemption described above.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$100 for construction cost from $0 to $5,000
Plan check fee
Not separately listed on the public residential fee schedule reviewed.
Permit fee formula
Valuation based, with fee tiers tied to estimated construction cost and an additional $50 for each additional $50,000 or fraction above the top of the published table range.
Reinspection fee
One reinspection per permit is free. A second or subsequent reinspection costs $100 each.
Payment note
Permits may be purchased online or at an issuing agent. The state says the fee covers required inspections and one free reinspection.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Decaturville, City Hall / Town Hall to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Permit holder requests inspections through CORE or the state process. The permit holder is responsible for requesting inspections. (phone)
Inspection hours
Public state guidance gives turnaround times, not specific office hours. Inspections must occur within three working days of request, and footer inspections within one working day.
Time windows
Public state guidance gives turnaround times, not specific office hours. Inspections must occur within three working days of request, and footer inspections within one working day.

Typical inspection sequence: Foundation prior to pour, rough-in/framing, and final inspection. A fourth inspection is required for a slab under living space with separately poured footing. Plumbing and mechanical inspections are also required for permits issued on or after October 1, 2011.

One reinspection per permit is free. A second or later reinspection is $100.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Decaturville, City Hall / Town Hall before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Decaturville Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Decaturville, TN?
The state residential permit is required for covered one and two family residential construction in Decaturville. The state also requires permits for additions over 30 square feet. Manufactured or modular homes do not require a residential building permit unless custom site work, a deck, porch, or stoop is added.
How much does a building permit cost in Decaturville, TN?
The minimum permit fee is $100 for construction cost from $0 to $5,000. Fees are calculated as: Valuation based, with fee tiers tied to estimated construction cost and an additional $50 for each additional $50,000 or fraction above the top of the published table range.. Plan check fee: Not separately listed on the public residential fee schedule reviewed..
How do I apply for a building permit in Decaturville, TN?
1. Confirm the project location is within Decaturville city limits and determine whether the work is covered by the state residential permit program. 2. If the work is new one or two family residential construction, or another covered residential project, apply for the state residential building permit through CORE or a local issuing agent. 3. Enter estimated construction cost and project details, then purchase the permit. 4. Complete work only after the permit is issued and any other local approvals are in place. 5. Request inspections through CORE or through the permit holder workflow.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Decaturville, TN?
Typical processing time is Inspections are required within three working days of request, and footer inspections within one working day. The public state FAQ does not give a permit issuance turnaround time..
What work is exempt from building permits in Decaturville, TN?
The following work is generally exempt: Detached garages, sheds, barns, and other detached structures not used for living purposes; Manufactured or modular homes themselves, except for custom site work additions such as decks, porches, or stoops; Work outside the state residential permit program scope, subject to any local or other state rules.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Decaturville, TN?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Permit holder requests inspections through CORE or the state process. The permit holder is responsible for requesting inspections..

Need help with your project?

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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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