City of East Ridge

East Ridge states it requires building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, street cut, storm water, sign, house moving, and demolition permits.

• Exempt Cosmetic alterations such as paint, wallpaper, and carpeting
• Exempt Exterior storage buildings less than 120 square feet

Building code

Building and Codes page links an Adopted Codes packet. The city also approved Ordinance 1150 on September 11, 2025 adopting the 2023 NEC for city electrical standards; other public city materials still point generally to the adopted codes packet and property maintenance enforcement.

Permit validity

Not clearly posted on the public pages reviewed.

Owner-builder

No owner-builder summary located on the public pages reviewed.

Contractor requirements

Trade permits for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing must be pulled by a licensed contractor with a Tennessee license. The permit pickup step also requires the person doing the work or their designated individual to sign for the permit.

1. 01
   Obtain the residential or commercial permit application from the city website or office.
2. 02
   Submit the completed application to the Building Inspections Office with drawings for residential work or two sets of signed and sealed commercial plans.
3. 03
   Pay plan review fees at submittal.
4. 04
   Wait for plan review and approval notice from the office.
5. 05
   The person doing the work, or that person's designated individual, signs for and picks up the permit and pays the permit fee.
6. 06
   Schedule required inspections through the city system and proceed to final inspection.

Typical processing time: 5 to 7 working days for residential; 10 to 14 working days for commercial plans.

Source: City of East Ridge Building and Codes Department ↗

Payment is due when the permit is picked up in the office.

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

• OpenGov system (portal)

Inspection hours

7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical sequence: Building minimum four inspections: foundation/footing, rough-in framing, insulation, final. Plumbing minimum five. Mechanical minimum three. Electrical inspections are regulated by the State of Tennessee and the city handout directs applicants to the assigned state electrical inspector.