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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Fayette County
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.
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
- Exempt Public buildings are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act
- Exempt Places of worship are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act
- Exempt Barns or outbuildings used for agricultural purposes are exempt from the adequate facilities tax described in the county act
- Exempt Replacement buildings meeting the statutory conditions in the county act may be exempt from the tax
- Exempt Mobile homes with actual cash value under $10,000 are exempt from the tax
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
- 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
- Permit validity
- Not clearly published in the county guide reviewed
- 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
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly stated in the sources reviewed
- 01 Visit the Fayette County Office of Planning and Development at 16265 U.S. Highway 64 in Somerville.
- 02 Complete the county building permit application and the state wastewater permit application if the project will generate wastewater.
- 03 Pay the state wastewater permit fee if required.
- 04 Have the state environmental officer design and approve the wastewater disposal system on site.
- 05 Return to the planning office with septic approval.
- 06 Pay the adequate facilities tax if applicable.
- 07 Receive the county building permit.
- 08 Proceed with construction and inspections as required.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated in the sources reviewed
§ 04
Fee schedule
Fayette County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50 minimum building permit fee for houses; $20 minimum plumbing permit fee; mobile home fees start at $100 for single-wide
02
Plan check fee
Not separately listed in the county guide reviewed
03
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
04
Reinspection fee
Not clearly published in the county guide reviewed
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Fayette County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Fayette County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Fayette County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fayette County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fayette County, TN, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Fayette County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Fayette County, TN typically run Not publicly stated in the sources reviewed. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Fayette County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Fayette County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Fayette County, TN via: County guide does not publish a detailed inspection scheduling system; contact the Planning and Development Office.
last verified April 2026
source Fayette County Office of Planning and Development ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/fayette/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Fayette County Office of Planning and Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.