Morristown, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City limits of Morristown; city staff directs applicants to city zoning, planning, inspections, and stormwater staff for permit routing.

Department

Building and Inspections Department, City of Morristown

Address

100 W. 1st North Street, Morristown, TN 37816

Phone

423-585-4620

Email

inspections@mymorristown.com

Website

https://www.mymorristown.com/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning, flood plain, and setback feasibility with city planning or the zoning map.
2. Prepare the correct permit application and supporting plans or fixture lists.
3. Submit the application to Building and Inspections by email, in person, or by mail.
4. City staff reviews the submission and schedules any needed meeting or review.
5. Permit issuance occurs after required approvals and documentation are complete.

Typical processing time: Not stated for building permits; city says to call if in doubt and to schedule an appointment for land disturbance submissions. The separate beer-permit guide says that process can take 20 to 60 days, but that is not a building permit metric.

Source: Building and Inspections Department, City of Morristown

General Requirements

Morristown states that any owner or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or to install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must apply for a permit. The city also says new construction, additions, and renovations require a permit.

Required Documents

• Site layout; floor plan; elevations; fixture lists for plumbing and gas permits; contractor license information when applicable; land disturbance permit documents if grading or earth moving is involved.

Permit validity

Not clearly stated in the public residential materials reviewed.

Building code

2012 International Building Code, 2012 International Mechanical Code, 2012 International Plumbing Code, 2017 International Electrical Code, 2012 International Residential Code, 2012 International Existing Building Code, 2012 International Fuel Gas Code, 2012 International Energy Code, and 2010 ADH Standards for Accessible Design.

Owner-builder

A property owner may construct a single residence once every two years for personal use without a licensed contractor. Work performed by a hired party with a portion of $25,000 or more is not exempt from contractor licensing rules.

Contractor requirements

Licensed and insured contractors must obtain the relevant mechanical, electrical, gas, plumbing, and driveway permits. The city permit packet also identifies the Chief Building Official, building inspector, plumbing/gas/mechanical inspector, and electrical inspector.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Publicly documented examples include sign application review fee of $25 and some building-related move permits with $50 inside city to inside city, and $100 inside city to outside county. No unified minimum for all building permits was found.

Plan check fee

Sign review fee is $25. For land disturbance, the city requires application review before issuance, but the reviewed material does not isolate a separate plan-check fee beyond the application fee.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Sign review is flat; move-building permit is flat; land-disturbance is flat plus acreage-based; general building fees are not fully published in the sources reviewed.

Reinspection fee

Work without first obtaining permits is subject to double fees. Land disturbance violations can carry civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation. The move-building form also notes double fees for work without permits.

Payment note

Land disturbance applications and fees may be submitted in person at City Center or by mail to PO Box 1499. The city did not publish a public online payment workflow in the materials reviewed.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building and Inspections Department, City of Morristown to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Call the Building and Inspections Department at 423-585-4620 or use the listed inspector emails to coordinate. (phone)

Inspection hours

Public materials do not publish a full inspection window schedule; department phone coverage is shown as regular office hours in the city materials reviewed.

Time windows

Public materials do not publish a full inspection window schedule; department phone coverage is shown as regular office hours in the city materials reviewed.

Typical inspection sequence: For a new house, the guide lists footer, foundation, slab, fire caulking, insulation, roofing, and final inspection before certificate of occupancy.

The city materials reviewed state work without permits is subject to double fees; the reviewed residential guide does not publish a separate reinspection tariff.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2012 International Building Code, 2012 International Mechanical Code, 2012 International Plumbing Code, 2017 International Electrical Code, 2012 International Residential Code, 2012 International Existing Building Code, 2012 International Fuel Gas Code, 2012 International Energy Code, and 2010 ADH Standards for Accessible Design.
• 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Morristown Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Morristown, TN?

Morristown states that any owner or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or to install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must apply for a permit. The city also says new construction, additions, and renovations require a permit.

How much does a building permit cost in Morristown, TN?

The minimum permit fee is Publicly documented examples include sign application review fee of $25 and some building-related move permits with $50 inside city to inside city, and $100 inside city to outside county. No unified minimum for all building permits was found.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Sign review is flat; move-building permit is flat; land-disturbance is flat plus acreage-based; general building fees are not fully published in the sources reviewed.. Plan check fee: Sign review fee is $25. For land disturbance, the city requires application review before issuance, but the reviewed material does not isolate a separate plan-check fee beyond the application fee..

How do I apply for a building permit in Morristown, TN?

1. Confirm zoning, flood plain, and setback feasibility with city planning or the zoning map. 2. Prepare the correct permit application and supporting plans or fixture lists. 3. Submit the application to Building and Inspections by email, in person, or by mail. 4. City staff reviews the submission and schedules any needed meeting or review. 5. Permit issuance occurs after required approvals and documentation are complete.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Morristown, TN?

Typical processing time is Not stated for building permits; city says to call if in doubt and to schedule an appointment for land disturbance submissions. The separate beer-permit guide says that process can take 20 to 60 days, but that is not a building permit metric..

What work is exempt from building permits in Morristown, TN?

The following work is generally exempt: Minor design changes and routine maintenance; Work that is not new construction, addition, or renovation, according to the city guide.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Morristown, TN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Call the Building and Inspections Department at 423-585-4620 or use the listed inspector emails to coordinate..

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