How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?

The minimum permit fee is $50 minimum building permit fee for houses; $20 minimum plumbing permit fee; mobile home fees start at $100 for single-wide. Fees are calculated as: Houses are charged $0.20 per heated square foot plus $0.10 per unheated square foot plus $10 per plumbing fixture; commercial structures are charged $5 per $1,000 of contract price; mobile homes are flat fees by type. Plan check fee: Not separately listed in the county guide reviewed.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?

Typical processing time is Not publicly stated in the sources reviewed.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?

The following work is generally exempt: Public buildings are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act; Places of worship are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act; Barns or outbuildings used for agricultural purposes are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act; Replacement buildings meeting the statutory conditions in the county act may be exempt from the tax; Mobile homes with actual cash value under $10,000 are exempt from the tax.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: County guide does not publish a detailed inspection scheduling system; contact the Planning and Development Office.

County Building Permits

Fayette County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Tennessee Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

This office issues building permits for unincorporated Fayette County. The county permit guide says both the county building permit and the state wastewater permit are initiated through the county planning office.

Department: Fayette County Office of Planning and Development
Address: 16265 U.S. Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068
Phone: (901) 465-5250
Email: jpitner@fayettetn.us
Website: https://fayettetn.us/

Online Permit Portal

Open Portal

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

Application Process

Visit the Fayette County Office of Planning and Development at 16265 U.S. Highway 64 in Somerville.
Complete the county building permit application and the state wastewater permit application if the project will generate wastewater.
Pay the state wastewater permit fee if required.
Have the state environmental officer design and approve the wastewater disposal system on site.
Return to the planning office with septic approval.
Pay the adequate facilities tax if applicable.
Receive the county building permit.
Proceed with construction and inspections as required.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated in the sources reviewed

Source: Fayette County Office of Planning and Development

General Requirements

The county guide states a building permit is required for residential, commercial, public buildings, additions, accessory buildings, and other covered construction. No clearing or grading should occur before septic approval in wastewater-related cases.

Required Documents

County building permit application, state wastewater permit application when applicable, plans showing heated and unheated square footage and plumbing fixtures for houses, signed contract for commercial structures, and mobile home details when applicable

Permit validity: Not clearly published in the county guide reviewed
Building code: The county guide does not clearly state the adopted edition in the source reviewed; the county permit process is separate from the state wastewater permit process
Owner-builder: Not clearly published in the county guide reviewed
Contractor requirements: The county guide does not publish a contractor licensing rule, but commercial and trade work may be subject to Tennessee licensing requirements and trade permitting rules

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $50 minimum building permit fee for houses; $20 minimum plumbing permit fee; mobile home fees start at $100 for single-wide
Plan check fee: Not separately listed in the county guide reviewed
Permit fee formula: Houses are charged $0.20 per heated square foot plus $0.10 per unheated square foot plus $10 per plumbing fixture; commercial structures are charged $5 per $1,000 of contract price; mobile homes are flat fees by type
Reinspection fee: Not clearly published in the county guide reviewed
Payment note: Building permit fees are payable to Fayette County Planning Office. Adequate facilities tax is payable to the Fayette County Trustee. County guide says check or money order, and notes the county keeps no house plans

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Fayette County Office of Planning and Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

County guide does not publish a detailed inspection scheduling system; contact the Planning and Development Office (phone)

Inspection hours: Office hours were not separately published in the permit guide reviewed
Time windows: Office hours were not separately published in the permit guide reviewed

Typical inspection sequence: County guide focuses on septic approval first, then permit issuance; a full inspection sequence is not published in the source reviewed

Not clearly published in the county guide reviewed

Additional Resources

Building code: The county guide does not clearly state the adopted edition in the source reviewed; the county permit process is separate from the state wastewater permit process
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 Fayette County Office of Planning and Development before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayette County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?: The county guide states a building permit is required for residential, commercial, public buildings, additions, accessory buildings, and other covered construction. No clearing or grading should occur before septic approval in wastewater-related cases.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?: The minimum permit fee is $50 minimum building permit fee for houses; $20 minimum plumbing permit fee; mobile home fees start at $100 for single-wide. Fees are calculated as: Houses are charged $0.20 per heated square foot plus $0.10 per unheated square foot plus $10 per plumbing fixture; commercial structures are charged $5 per $1,000 of contract price; mobile homes are flat fees by type. Plan check fee: Not separately listed in the county guide reviewed.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?: 1. Visit the Fayette County Office of Planning and Development at 16265 U.S. Highway 64 in Somerville. 2. Complete the county building permit application and the state wastewater permit application if the project will generate wastewater. 3. Pay the state wastewater permit fee if required. 4. Have the state environmental officer design and approve the wastewater disposal system on site. 5. Return to the planning office with septic approval. 6. Pay the adequate facilities tax if applicable. 7. Receive the county building permit. 8. Proceed with construction and inspections as required.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?: Typical processing time is Not publicly stated in the sources reviewed.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?: The following work is generally exempt: Public buildings are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act; Places of worship are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act; Barns or outbuildings used for agricultural purposes are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act; Replacement buildings meeting the statutory conditions in the county act may be exempt from the tax; Mobile homes with actual cash value under $10,000 are exempt from the tax.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Fayette County, TN?: Inspections can be scheduled via: County guide does not publish a detailed inspection scheduling system; contact the Planning and Development Office.

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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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