On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Farragut
Permits are required for all new construction and a vast majority of remodeling, both commercial and residential. Permits are required for owners or authorized agents who intend to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, or fire-protection work.
One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons within the listed dimensional ratio
Sidewalks and driveways
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Swings and other playground equipment
Window awnings that meet the listed wall-support and projection limits
Detached decks not over 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
Listed temporary decorative lighting and other minor electrical items
Portable gas and mechanical appliances and other minor gas or mechanical items
Minor plumbing leak and stoppage work
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons within the listed dimensional ratio
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment
- Exempt Window awnings that meet the listed wall-support and projection limits
- Exempt Detached decks not over 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
- Exempt Listed temporary decorative lighting and other minor electrical items
- Exempt Portable gas and mechanical appliances and other minor gas or mechanical items
- Exempt Minor plumbing leak and stoppage work
Required documents
- Permit application data
- Plans and site plan
- Copy of contractor license
- General liability insurance
- Workers compensation certificate naming the Town of Farragut as certificate holder
- Notarized homeowner affidavit when applicable
- Professional design requirements for commercial plans under state law
- Building code
- 2018 IRC, 2018 IBC, 2018 IEBC, 2018 IPC, 2018 IMC, 2018 IFGC, 2018 IECC, 2018 ISPSC, 2018 IPMC, 2018 IFC, 2018 NFPA 101, ICC A117.1-2017, and 2017 NEC
- Permit validity
- Building Permit Extensions are available. Confirm current expiration terms with the town for the permit type at issue.
- Owner-builder
- The homeowner-builder exemption is for property owners constructing a single residence, farm building, or other building for individual use in the county of residence, not for resale, lease, rent, or similar purpose, and not more than one single residence within two years. The owner must perform or directly supervise the work and remains responsible for code compliance, inspections, zoning, and workers compensation documentation.
- Contractor requirements
- Plumbing and gas or mechanical contractors performing work in Farragut must be licensed and obtain permits, with review by the Board of Plumbing and Gas/Mechanical Examiners. Manual J report required with all mechanical permit applications. Electrical permits go through the State of Tennessee Electrical Inspectors Office.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No standard permit issuance turnaround posted. Inspections are by appointment only with a one-day turnaround if available.
- 01 Confirm whether a building permit and zoning approval are required using the town's permit and zoning guidance.
- 02 Create an MGO account and start the appropriate permit type.
- 03 Upload required documents for that permit type, including contractor license, general liability insurance, workers compensation certificate naming the Town of Farragut, or notarized homeowner affidavit.
- 04 Upload the site plan and construction plans for review.
- 05 Respond to comments or corrections if requested, then pay permit fees.
- 06 Print the issued permit and request inspections online through MGO. Final approval follows successful completion of required inspections.
Typical processing time: No standard permit issuance turnaround posted. Inspections are by appointment only with a one-day turnaround if available.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective FY2026
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$37 for valuation of $1,000 and less
02
Plan check fee
Commercial plan review is one-half of the calculated building permit fee, paid at plan submittal. Re-submittal fees: $104 for commercial after initial submittal and one correction; $52 for residential.
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based: $1,000 or less: $37.00; $1,001-$50,000: $36.00 for first $1,000 plus $6.75 per additional thousand or fraction; $50,001-$100,000: $353 for first $50,000 plus $5.50 per additional thousand or fraction; $100,001-$500,000: $623 for first $100,000 plus $4.25 per additional thousand or fraction; $500,001 and up: $2,345 for first $500,000 plus $2.75 per additional thousand or fraction
04
Trade permit fee
Included in general building permit fee
05
Reinspection fee
$52 for first reinspection, $104 for second reinspection, $208 for inspections beyond the second reinspection
06
Penalty (no permit)
Commencing work without a permit doubles the calculated building permit fee
All permit fees must be paid before an inspection can be scheduled. No separate card-processing surcharge clearly posted on public permitting pages.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective FY2026) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- My Government Online (MGO) (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection requests must be submitted the business day prior to, and before, 3:00 PM Eastern Time to be scheduled for the next business day. Requests after 3:00 PM are scheduled no earlier than the following business day.
- Inspection hours
- By appointment only with a one-day turnaround if available; some may take two or more days depending on availability
Typical sequence: Residential inspection sequence: footing, plumbing slab rough-in, energy slab, crawl space or basement, plumbing rough-in, gas rough-in, mechanical rough-in, fireplace rough-in, exterior wall covering and flashing, framing, energy wall or insulation, gas or mechanical final, plumbing final, and building final.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Farragut permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Farragut, TN? ▸
Permits are required for all new construction and a vast majority of remodeling, both commercial and residential. Permits are required for owners or authorized agents who intend to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, or fire-protection work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Farragut, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Farragut, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $37 for valuation of $1,000 and less. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based: $1,000 or less: $37.00; $1,001-$50,000: $36.00 for first $1,000 plus $6.75 per additional thousand or fraction; $50,001-$100,000: $353 for first $50,000 plus $5.50 per additional thousand or fraction; $100,001-$500,000: $623 for first $100,000 plus $4.25 per additional thousand or fraction; $500,001 and up: $2,345 for first $500,000 plus $2.75 per additional thousand or fraction. Plan check fee: Commercial plan review is one-half of the calculated building permit fee, paid at plan submittal. Re-submittal fees: $104 for commercial after initial submittal and one correction; $52 for residential..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Farragut, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Farragut, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether a building permit and zoning approval are required using the town's permit and zoning guidance. 2. Create an MGO account and start the appropriate permit type. 3. Upload required documents for that permit type, including contractor license, general liability insurance, workers compensation certificate naming the Town of Farragut, or notarized homeowner affidavit. 4. Upload the site plan and construction plans for review. 5. Respond to comments or corrections if requested, then pay permit fees. 6. Print the issued permit and request inspections online through MGO. Final approval follows successful completion of required inspections.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Farragut, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Farragut, TN typically run No standard permit issuance turnaround posted. Inspections are by appointment only with a one-day turnaround if available.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Farragut, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Farragut, TN. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons within the listed dimensional ratio; Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and other playground equipment; Window awnings that meet the listed wall-support and projection limits; Detached decks not over 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door; Listed temporary decorative lighting and other minor electrical items; Portable gas and mechanical appliances and other minor gas or mechanical items; Minor plumbing leak and stoppage work. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Farragut, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Farragut, TN via: My Government Online (MGO). Inspection requests must be submitted the business day prior to, and before, 3:00 PM Eastern Time to be scheduled for the next business day. Requests after 3:00 PM are scheduled no earlier than the following business day..
last verified April 2026
source Building & Fire Codes Division, Town of Farragut ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/knox/farragut
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building & Fire Codes Division, Town of Farragut before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.