County Building Permits
Hardeman County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hardeman County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
This is the county permit and zoning office for the Hardeman County Planning Region, which includes unincorporated Hardeman County. The county page states it established eleven zones and that zoning permits are a service of this office.
- Department
- Hardeman County Zoning Compliance
- Address
- 100 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor County Courthouse, Bolivar, TN 38008
- Phone
- 731-658-5412
- hczoning@aeneas.com
Online Permit Portal
Platform: None publicly posted • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in the county planning region and identify the applicable zoning district.
- Complete the Hardeman County Zoning Compliance Permit form.
- Attach the required site sketch or scale plan and other documentation.
- Submit water and sewage approval documentation before issuance.
- Pay the permit fee set by County Commission.
- Receive the zoning compliance permit, then complete the work within the permit validity period and obtain occupancy approval if required.
Typical processing time: Not publicly posted
General Requirements
County zoning materials say a permit is required for construction of any building or addition, and all mobile homes require a permit. The zoning resolution also requires a permit before starting excavation, construction, moving, or alteration of any building, including accessory buildings.
Required Documents
- Completed zoning compliance permit application, dimensional sketch or scale plan showing the shape, size, height, and location of structures, existing and intended use, any other information requested by the Zoning Compliance Officer, and written approval of water supply and sewage disposal provisions from the county Department of Environment and Conservation.
- Permit validity
- The zoning compliance permit becomes void six months from issuance unless substantial progress has been made.
- Building code
- The reviewed county zoning materials do not clearly publish a countywide adopted building code edition. The public county materials are zoning-focused rather than a full building code package.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly posted in the reviewed sources
- Contractor requirements
- The county public sources reviewed do not publish a local contractor-license requirement for the zoning permit. The county page does provide a Contractor Search link to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, so state licensing should be verified separately when a contractor is used.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Not publicly posted
- Plan check fee
- Not publicly posted
- Permit fee formula
- Processing fee set by County Commission
- Reinspection fee
- Appeal notice fee is set by County Commission for publication costs; the reviewed public materials do not show a general reinspection fee schedule
- Payment note
- The permit request must be accompanied by a processing fee set by County Commission. The county application form also shows a permit fee line item.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Hardeman County Zoning Compliance to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Not publicly posted (phone)
- Inspection hours
- County office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Time windows
- County office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: County zoning materials require final occupancy approval and state that the Zoning Compliance Officer makes a final inspection within five days after notice that the building is ready for occupancy or use.
Not publicly posted
Additional Resources
- Building code: The reviewed county zoning materials do not clearly publish a countywide adopted building code edition. The public county materials are zoning-focused rather than a full building code package.
- 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 Hardeman County Zoning Compliance before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hardeman County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hardeman County, TN?
- County zoning materials say a permit is required for construction of any building or addition, and all mobile homes require a permit. The zoning resolution also requires a permit before starting excavation, construction, moving, or alteration of any building, including accessory buildings.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Hardeman County, TN?
- The minimum permit fee is Not publicly posted. Fees are calculated as: Processing fee set by County Commission. Plan check fee: Not publicly posted.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hardeman County, TN?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in the county planning region and identify the applicable zoning district. 2. Complete the Hardeman County Zoning Compliance Permit form. 3. Attach the required site sketch or scale plan and other documentation. 4. Submit water and sewage approval documentation before issuance. 5. Pay the permit fee set by County Commission. 6. Receive the zoning compliance permit, then complete the work within the permit validity period and obtain occupancy approval if required.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hardeman County, TN?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly posted.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hardeman County, TN?
- The following work is generally exempt: No countywide exempt-work handout was located in the reviewed public sources.; County zoning materials focus on zoning compliance permits for buildings, additions, mobile homes, and land division rather than publishing a broad exempt-work list.; Floodplain, subdivision, and occupancy rules may still apply even where a separate construction permit is not obvious..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hardeman County, TN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Not publicly posted.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Unincorporated Hardeman County can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works