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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Greene County
The county issues building permits for work in unincorporated Greene County. The zoning resolution requires a building permit before construction, alteration, moving, or other regulated work on buildings and accessory buildings, except for agricultural uses on land devoted to agriculture.
The zoning resolution states no building permit is required for the erection, construction, or reconstruction of any building or other structure on land devoted to agriculture uses or used for agriculture purposes.
County materials also indicate some small accessory structures and other ordinance-defined exemptions may apply, but the reviewed page did not publish one short consolidated exempt-work list.
- Exempt The zoning resolution states no building permit is required for the erection, construction, or reconstruction of any building or other structure on land devoted to agriculture uses or used for agriculture purposes.
- Exempt County materials also indicate some small accessory structures and other ordinance-defined exemptions may apply, but the reviewed page did not publish one short consolidated exempt-work list.
Required documents
- Owner name, applicant name, telephone number, 911 address, approved subdivision plat if property has been divided, site plan or sketch with dimensions and layout, and any additional information requested by the Building Official.
- Building code
- Greene County has adopted the 2018 Edition of the International Building Code and the 2018 Edition of the International Residential Code with Appendix J.
- Permit validity
- The reviewed county pages do not publish a single clear expiration rule for all permits.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated on the reviewed county pages.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must provide an updated Tennessee contractor license, updated workers compensation insurance papers, and a current Greene County business license.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general turnaround estimate was published on the reviewed county page.
- 01 Confirm the property is in unincorporated Greene County and not inside a city.
- 02 Gather the required application information: owner name, applicant name, phone number, 911 address, subdivision plat if applicable, and a site plan, drawing, or sketch showing dimensions and layout.
- 03 Stake the property lines and proposed structure locations as required before application.
- 04 Submit the application through the county office or permit portal.
- 05 Provide contractor license, workers compensation, and Greene County business license documents if a contractor is pulling the permit.
- 06 Permit is issued on site when the initial inspection is completed and the application is approved.
Typical processing time: No general turnaround estimate was published on the reviewed county page.
Source: Greene County Board of Zoning / Building Commissioner; Building Official Tim Tweed ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Greene County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Older county fee schedule shows $35.00 for projects from $0 to $2,000 and specific flat fees such as $50.00 for portable accessory buildings
02
Plan check fee
Not clearly published in the reviewed county sources
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed schedule, with valuation bands and flat fees by permit type
04
Reinspection fee
The county zoning resolution includes civil and criminal penalties for violations, but a standard published reinspection fee was not clearly surfaced on the reviewed pages
Cash or check is accepted for the application amount according to the permit page
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- County office contact by phone; the reviewed page does not publish a separate online inspection-scheduling system (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Time windows
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: Zoning inspection, footer inspection, slab inspection, rough-in inspection, energy inspection, final inspection, then certificate of occupancy
The county page says permits are issued on site when the initial inspection is completed and the application is approved; the reviewed pages do not publish a separate reinspection fee line
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Greene County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Greene County, TN? ▸
The county issues building permits for work in unincorporated Greene County. The zoning resolution requires a building permit before construction, alteration, moving, or other regulated work on buildings and accessory buildings, except for agricultural uses on land devoted to agriculture.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Greene County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Greene County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Older county fee schedule shows $35.00 for projects from $0 to $2,000 and specific flat fees such as $50.00 for portable accessory buildings. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule, with valuation bands and flat fees by permit type. Plan check fee: Not clearly published in the reviewed county sources.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Greene County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Greene County, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Greene County and not inside a city. 2. Gather the required application information: owner name, applicant name, phone number, 911 address, subdivision plat if applicable, and a site plan, drawing, or sketch showing dimensions and layout. 3. Stake the property lines and proposed structure locations as required before application. 4. Submit the application through the county office or permit portal. 5. Provide contractor license, workers compensation, and Greene County business license documents if a contractor is pulling the permit. 6. Permit is issued on site when the initial inspection is completed and the application is approved.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Greene County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Greene County, TN typically run No general turnaround estimate was published on the reviewed county page.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Greene County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Greene County, TN. The following work is generally exempt: The zoning resolution states no building permit is required for the erection, construction, or reconstruction of any building or other structure on land devoted to agriculture uses or used for agriculture purposes.; County materials also indicate some small accessory structures and other ordinance-defined exemptions may apply, but the reviewed page did not publish one short consolidated exempt-work list.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Greene County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Greene County, TN via: County office contact by phone; the reviewed page does not publish a separate online inspection-scheduling system.
last verified April 2026
source Greene County Board of Zoning / Building Commissioner; Building Official Tim Tweed ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/greene/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Greene County Board of Zoning / Building Commissioner; Building Official Tim Tweed before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.