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

The minimum permit fee is $10 permit issuance for plumbing, mechanical, or gas; $25 minimum for some decks and carports; $50 miscellaneous; $50 demolition; $100 stormwater management permit.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Building fees are generally area-based or unit-based. Examples include 55 cents per sq. ft. for certain new construction, 50 cents per sq. ft. for residential without basement, 25 cents per sq. ft. for remodels and accessory structures, and flat fees for some mobiles, signs, and stormwater items.. Plan check fee: Not published as a separate countywide line item in the reviewed fee chart..

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

1. Determine the correct application type for the project. 2. Complete the application in full and gather all required documents. 3. Email the completed application to planning@co.hamblen.tn.us or submit through the planning office process. 4. County staff reviews the application, zoning, stormwater, septic, and contractor documentation. 5. Permit is issued after all required documentation and approvals are complete.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Renovation projects that do not affect the structure of the building, such as painting, cabinet replacement, and new flooring; Roof replacement or repair; Electrical work, with a note to contact the utility company; Tree houses, dog houses, and children's play equipment; Fences.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: County inspector may be reached by office phone or voicemail; leave name, property address, phone number, and inspection request..

City Building Permits

Whitesburg, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Tennessee Hamblen County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Whitesburg is routed through Hamblen County permit review in the public materials reviewed; no separate Whitesburg municipal building department or permit portal was identified.

Department: Hamblen County Planning Commission, Office of Planning and Zoning
Address: 511 West Second North Street, Morristown, TN 37814
Phone: 423-581-1373
Email: planning@co.hamblen.tn.us
Website: https://www.hamblencountytn.gov/planning-and-zoning-applications/

Online Permit Portal

Open Portal

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

Application Process

Determine the correct application type for the project.
Complete the application in full and gather all required documents.
Email the completed application to planning@co.hamblen.tn.us or submit through the planning office process.
County staff reviews the application, zoning, stormwater, septic, and contractor documentation.
Permit is issued after all required documentation and approvals are complete.

Typical processing time: County says the permit is issued quickly when the application is complete, but no numeric time estimate was published.

Source: Hamblen County Planning Commission, Office of Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

Hamblen County says a permit is required if you are building or installing a structure. County permit and inspection coverage includes new construction, modular and mobile homes, mechanical/plumbing/gas, remodels, additions, decks, accessory buildings, garages, pools, barns, cell towers, and signs.

Required Documents

Building permit application; site plan; floor plan; land disturbance form; TDEC septic approval if applicable; contractor license and insurance documents when applicable; plumber license documentation when applicable.

Permit validity: The public materials reviewed do not state a universal county permit expiration period.
Building code: 2018 International Building Code.
Owner-builder: The residential checklist includes an affidavit of exemption, and the county notes owner documentation is part of permit issuance; no more detailed owner-builder rule was published in the reviewed materials.
Contractor requirements: Current contractor license, proof of workers comp and liability insurance or Tennessee exemption, and current plumber license minimum LLP are required for contractors before permit issuance.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $10 permit issuance for plumbing, mechanical, or gas; $25 minimum for some decks and carports; $50 miscellaneous; $50 demolition; $100 stormwater management permit.
Plan check fee: Not published as a separate countywide line item in the reviewed fee chart.
Permit fee formula: Mixed. Building fees are generally area-based or unit-based. Examples include 55 cents per sq. ft. for certain new construction, 50 cents per sq. ft. for residential without basement, 25 cents per sq. ft. for remodels and accessory structures, and flat fees for some mobiles, signs, and stormwater items.
Reinspection fee: Failure to pass an inspection twice adds a $25 fee for additional inspections. Work begun before permit issuance is charged double permit fees. Inspections outside normal business hours cost $20 each.
Payment note: County materials do not describe an online payment portal in the sources reviewed; the application checklist emphasizes completeness before submission.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Hamblen County Planning Commission, Office of Planning and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

County inspector may be reached by office phone or voicemail; leave name, property address, phone number, and inspection request. (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Time windows: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: For residential permits, the checklist includes construction inspection card and inspection checklists. For accessory buildings and homes, the county requires inspections tied to the specific permit type and reports a final approval step before issuance or closeout.

Two failed inspections trigger an extra $25 fee; work begun before permit issuance doubles the permit fee.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2018 International Building Code.
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 Hamblen County Planning Commission, Office of Planning and Zoning before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whitesburg Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Whitesburg, TN?: Hamblen County says a permit is required if you are building or installing a structure. County permit and inspection coverage includes new construction, modular and mobile homes, mechanical/plumbing/gas, remodels, additions, decks, accessory buildings, garages, pools, barns, cell towers, and signs.
How much does a building permit cost in Whitesburg, TN?: The minimum permit fee is $10 permit issuance for plumbing, mechanical, or gas; $25 minimum for some decks and carports; $50 miscellaneous; $50 demolition; $100 stormwater management permit.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Building fees are generally area-based or unit-based. Examples include 55 cents per sq. ft. for certain new construction, 50 cents per sq. ft. for residential without basement, 25 cents per sq. ft. for remodels and accessory structures, and flat fees for some mobiles, signs, and stormwater items.. Plan check fee: Not published as a separate countywide line item in the reviewed fee chart..
How do I apply for a building permit in Whitesburg, TN?: 1. Determine the correct application type for the project. 2. Complete the application in full and gather all required documents. 3. Email the completed application to planning@co.hamblen.tn.us or submit through the planning office process. 4. County staff reviews the application, zoning, stormwater, septic, and contractor documentation. 5. Permit is issued after all required documentation and approvals are complete.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Whitesburg, TN?: Typical processing time is County says the permit is issued quickly when the application is complete, but no numeric time estimate was published..
What work is exempt from building permits in Whitesburg, TN?: The following work is generally exempt: Renovation projects that do not affect the structure of the building, such as painting, cabinet replacement, and new flooring; Roof replacement or repair; Electrical work, with a note to contact the utility company; Tree houses, dog houses, and children's play equipment; Fences.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Whitesburg, TN?: Inspections can be scheduled via: County inspector may be reached by office phone or voicemail; leave name, property address, phone number, and inspection request..

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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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