County Building Permits
Franklin County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
The department states it serves the unincorporated areas of Franklin County and provides zoning, subdivision, floodplain, and building code guidance. It is the county authority for county land outside incorporated city limits.
- Department
- Franklin County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- 855 Dinah Shore Boulevard, Suite #3, Winchester, TN 37398
- Phone
- Not clearly published on the planning page reviewed.
Online Permit Portal
Platform: None clearly published. • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Review zoning, floodplain, and building code requirements for the parcel.
- Complete the county new residence/commercial/industrial application.
- Attach deed, site plan drawing, two sets of building plans or blueprints, and proof of public water supply or well.
- Submit the application for county review and permit processing.
- Obtain approval and then begin work.
Typical processing time: Not published.
General Requirements
Franklin County's planning and zoning materials cover building permits for unincorporated areas. The county application asks for new residence, commercial, and industrial permits and related project data.
Required Documents
- Copy of deed, site plan drawing, two sets of building plans or blueprints, proof of public water supply or well.
- Permit validity
- Not published on the reviewed pages.
- Building code
- The county page links to standard building codes, but the specific edition was not displayed in the accessible text reviewed.
- Owner-builder
- Not published on the reviewed pages.
- Contractor requirements
- The county application collects contractor names and contact details for general, framing, foundation, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing contractors. State contractor licensing rules may apply by project size and type.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Residential single family up to 1,000 square feet is $250; mobile home is $250; accessory dwelling unit is $250.
- Plan check fee
- The fee schedule lists plot plan review at $400.
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed. Residential and commercial fees are primarily square-foot based; some actions like rezoning, variances, and subdivision work are flat or per-lot.
- Reinspection fee
- Re-inspection fee is $50 for the first trip and $100 after the first trip. Fees are doubled if construction starts before obtaining a permit.
- Payment note
- All fees are non-refundable.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Franklin County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Not clearly published. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- The planning page provides office location and general department information, but not a published inspection window in the reviewed text.
- Time windows
- The planning page provides office location and general department information, but not a published inspection window in the reviewed text.
Typical inspection sequence: Not clearly published.
Reinspection fees are explicitly listed in the fee schedule, and fees double if construction starts before a permit is obtained.
Additional Resources
- Building code: The county page links to standard building codes, but the specific edition was not displayed in the accessible text reviewed.
- 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 Franklin County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Franklin County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, TN?
- Franklin County's planning and zoning materials cover building permits for unincorporated areas. The county application asks for new residence, commercial, and industrial permits and related project data.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Franklin County, TN?
- The minimum permit fee is Residential single family up to 1,000 square feet is $250; mobile home is $250; accessory dwelling unit is $250.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential and commercial fees are primarily square-foot based; some actions like rezoning, variances, and subdivision work are flat or per-lot.. Plan check fee: The fee schedule lists plot plan review at $400..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, TN?
- 1. Review zoning, floodplain, and building code requirements for the parcel. 2. Complete the county new residence/commercial/industrial application. 3. Attach deed, site plan drawing, two sets of building plans or blueprints, and proof of public water supply or well. 4. Submit the application for county review and permit processing. 5. Obtain approval and then begin work.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, TN?
- Typical processing time is Not published..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Franklin County, TN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Thin data. The county planning page reviewed did not publish a concise exempt-work list in the accessible text..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, TN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Not clearly published..
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