County Building Permits
Hickman County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hickman County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
This is the clearest and most fully documented permit jurisdiction in Hickman County outside Centerville. The county zoning resolution expressly applies to rural and planned growth areas and says permits are issued by the Hickman County Building Commissioner.
- Department
- Hickman County Building/ADA Coordinator; Hickman County Building Commissioner administers zoning compliance permits.
- Address
- 114 N. Central Avenue, Suite 101, Centerville, TN 37033
- Phone
- 931-729-5534
Online Permit Portal
Platform: GovtPortal (county portal page) • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Hickman County and not inside Centerville or another special jurisdiction.
- Review zoning district and any floodplain or special-use restrictions.
- Prepare a written permit application on county forms.
- Attach duplicate scaled plans or plats and any additional engineering or architectural drawings if required.
- Submit the application and pay the fee.
- County staff review for zoning compliance, special exceptions, and fee status.
- Permit is issued if compliant.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated.
General Requirements
A permit is required before excavation, construction, moving, alteration, repair, expansion, changing use, or filling land in the county zoning area.
Required Documents
- Written application; duplicate scaled plan or plat; lot dimensions; structure placement; existing and proposed use; off-street parking and loading details; and any required architect or engineer plans.
- Permit validity
- Permit becomes invalid if not started within 12 months or suspended/discontinued for 1 year.
- Building code
- Not clearly stated in the public-facing sources reviewed.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated.
- Contractor requirements
- No county-specific public rule found; Tennessee contractor licensing requirements remain applicable where triggered by the project type and value.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Not publicly stated.
- Plan check fee
- Not publicly stated.
- Permit fee formula
- County Commission sets and posts the schedule; the public resolution does not publish the numeric table.
- Reinspection fee
- $50 reinspection fee if the site is not ready; fee may be doubled if work starts before the permit is secured.
- Payment note
- No action is taken until the fee is paid in full.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Hickman County Building/ADA Coordinator; Hickman County Building Commissioner administers zoning compliance permits. to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Not publicly stated. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Not publicly stated.
- Time windows
- Not publicly stated.
Typical inspection sequence: Zoning compliance review before issuance; compliance inspection after occupancy and within one year after occupancy.
$50 when the requested inspection cannot proceed because the structure is not ready.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Not clearly stated in the public-facing sources reviewed.
- 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 Hickman County Building/ADA Coordinator; Hickman County Building Commissioner administers zoning compliance permits. before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hickman County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hickman County, TN?
- A permit is required before excavation, construction, moving, alteration, repair, expansion, changing use, or filling land in the county zoning area.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Hickman County, TN?
- The minimum permit fee is Not publicly stated.. Fees are calculated as: County Commission sets and posts the schedule; the public resolution does not publish the numeric table.. Plan check fee: Not publicly stated..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hickman County, TN?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Hickman County and not inside Centerville or another special jurisdiction. 2. Review zoning district and any floodplain or special-use restrictions. 3. Prepare a written permit application on county forms. 4. Attach duplicate scaled plans or plats and any additional engineering or architectural drawings if required. 5. Submit the application and pay the fee. 6. County staff review for zoning compliance, special exceptions, and fee status. 7. Permit is issued if compliant.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hickman County, TN?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly stated..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hickman County, TN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agriculturally related construction is exempt.; Signs regulated by TDOT do not require local permits.; Utility facilities necessary for public services are listed as permitted uses in the zoning resolution..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hickman County, TN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Not publicly stated..
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