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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Johnson County
Johnson County public guidance says the county does not currently require a building permit. For new structures and additions, the county says the only requirements are a septic permit and an electric permit, and FEMA flood permits must be applied for in the Property Assessor's Office.
All work is effectively outside a county building permit program because Johnson County states it does not currently require a building permit.
The county does, however, say new structures and additions still require septic and electric permits, and FEMA flood permit review where applicable.
- Exempt All work is effectively outside a county building permit program because Johnson County states it does not currently require a building permit.
- Exempt The county does, however, say new structures and additions still require septic and electric permits, and FEMA flood permit review where applicable.
Required documents
- Thin public data. The county guidance did not publish a checklist for the septic, electric, or flood permit files.
- Building code
- The county public newcomer page links to building code information, but the page itself does not publish a county building permit regime. Public guidance also says Johnson County does not have a zoning department.
- Permit validity
- Not applicable for a county building permit because the county states no county building permit is currently required.
- Owner-builder
- Not publicly stated in the county sources reviewed.
- Contractor requirements
- Thin public data for the county building context. State contractor licensing rules still apply where applicable, but the county does not publish a separate building permit contractor rule because it does not currently require a building permit.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly stated.
- 01 Confirm whether the work is in the unincorporated county and whether it is inside Mountain City limits.
- 02 For new structures or additions, obtain the required septic permit and electric permit first, and apply for any required FEMA flood permit through the Property Assessor's Office.
- 03 If the project is in a flood zone or otherwise subject to special review, coordinate with the county office before starting work.
- 04 Complete the related trade or environmental approvals required by the county or state.
- 05 Proceed without a county building permit, because the county states none is currently required.
Typical processing time: Not publicly stated.
Source: Johnson County Government; Property Assessor handles FEMA flood permits for new construction ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Johnson County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not applicable for a county building permit.
02
Plan check fee
Not applicable for a county building permit.
03
Permit fee formula
Not applicable for a county building permit.
04
Reinspection fee
Not applicable for a county building permit.
The county public guidance did not publish fee processing notes for a building permit program.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Not publicly published for a county building permit program. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- County courthouse hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM; county clerk hours differ, but no county building inspection schedule was published.
- Time windows
- County courthouse hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM; county clerk hours differ, but no county building inspection schedule was published.
Typical sequence: Not publicly published for a county building permit program.
Not publicly published for a county building permit program.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Johnson County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, TN? ▸
Johnson County public guidance says the county does not currently require a building permit. For new structures and additions, the county says the only requirements are a septic permit and an electric permit, and FEMA flood permits must be applied for in the Property Assessor's Office.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Johnson County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Johnson County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not applicable for a county building permit.. Fees are calculated as: Not applicable for a county building permit.. Plan check fee: Not applicable for a county building permit..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work is in the unincorporated county and whether it is inside Mountain City limits. 2. For new structures or additions, obtain the required septic permit and electric permit first, and apply for any required FEMA flood permit through the Property Assessor's Office. 3. If the project is in a flood zone or otherwise subject to special review, coordinate with the county office before starting work. 4. Complete the related trade or environmental approvals required by the county or state. 5. Proceed without a county building permit, because the county states none is currently required.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Johnson County, TN typically run Not publicly stated.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Johnson County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Johnson County, TN. The following work is generally exempt: All work is effectively outside a county building permit program because Johnson County states it does not currently require a building permit.; The county does, however, say new structures and additions still require septic and electric permits, and FEMA flood permit review where applicable.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, TN via: Not publicly published for a county building permit program..
last verified April 2026
source Johnson County Government; Property Assessor handles FEMA flood permits for new construction ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/johnson/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Johnson County Government; Property Assessor handles FEMA flood permits for new construction before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.