Whitesburg, TN — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Hamblen County Planning Commission, Office of Planning and Zoning

Street address

511 West Second North Street, Morristown, TN 37814

Phone

423-581-1373

planning@co.hamblen.tn.us

Coverage

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

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Whitesburg

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.

Scope of work

Permit?

Renovation projects that do not affect the structure of the building, such as painting, cabinet replacement, and new flooring

Exempt

Roof replacement or repair

Exempt

Electrical work, with a note to contact the utility company

Exempt

Tree houses, dog houses, and children's play equipment

Exempt

Fences

Exempt

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

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.

Building code: 2018 International Building Code.
Permit validity: The public materials reviewed do not state a universal county permit expiration period.
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.

§ 03

Application process

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

01

Determine the correct application type for the project.
02

Complete the application in full and gather all required documents.
03

Email the completed application to planning@co.hamblen.tn.us or submit through the planning office process.
04

County staff reviews the application, zoning, stormwater, septic, and contractor documentation.
05

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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Whitesburg building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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.

County materials do not describe an online payment portal in the sources reviewed; the application checklist emphasizes completeness before submission.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 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.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Whitesburg permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Whitesburg, TN? ▸

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

Building permit fees in Whitesburg, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

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

To apply for a building permit in Whitesburg, TN, follow these steps: 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.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Whitesburg, TN? ▸

Building permit processing times in Whitesburg, TN typically run County says the permit is issued quickly when the application is complete, but no numeric time estimate was published.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Whitesburg, TN via: County inspector may be reached by office phone or voicemail; leave name, property address, phone number, and inspection request..

last verified April 2026 source Hamblen County Planning Commission, Office of Planning and Zoning ↗ entry id permits/tennessee/hamblen/whitesburg

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Hamblen County Planning Commission, Office of Planning and Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Whitesburg

Other jurisdictions in Hamblen County.