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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Knoxville
Any owner or authorized agent who intends 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, or plumbing systems must obtain a permit. Sidewalks and driveways in the public right-of-way also require a building permit.
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
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, mechanical, and minor plumbing repair items
- 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 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, mechanical, and minor plumbing repair items
Required documents
- Permit application identifying the work, property, and intended use
- Project valuation
- Construction documents
- Site plan
- Contractor registration or license documentation
- Building code
- 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IEBC, 2024 IFC with local amendments, 2018 IECC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 ISPSC with local amendments, 2018 IPMC, 2023 NEC with local amendments, 2024 IGCC, and 2017 ICC ANSI A117.1
- Permit validity
- Every permit becomes invalid after 365 days. Permits may be renewed annually.
- Owner-builder
- The city has a homeowner registration pathway in its permit-registration system. Applicants should confirm current requirements directly with Plans Review and Inspections.
- Contractor requirements
- Anyone applying for a permit must be associated with a registration based on qualifications. Different work types require particular registration types, sometimes together with a State of Tennessee license.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No standard public permit issuance SLA published.
- 01 Register or log in to an Accela Citizen Access account. Contractors must be associated with the appropriate registration or license type.
- 02 Prepare the application, valuation, construction documents, and site plan required for plan review.
- 03 Submit through the city project portal workflow or email to plansreview@knoxvilletn.gov.
- 04 Upload plans and respond to correction comments through KnoxPlans / ProjectDox if requested.
- 05 Pay plan review, permit, and trade fees through the direct pay portal.
- 06 Once issued, post the permit, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or certificate documentation.
Typical processing time: No standard public permit issuance SLA published.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Building permits are 0.55% of valuation with a $50 minimum
02
Plan check fee
IRC plan review is 0.025% of project valuation, $50 minimum ($35 minimum for IRC non-habitable accessory structures, decks, and pools). IBC plan review starts at 0.1% of valuation with graduated tiers.
03
Permit fee formula
Building permits: 0.55% of valuation, $50 minimum. Trade permits and other categories have published valuation formulas in the 2024 schedule.
04
Trade permit fee
Valuation-based; schedule published.
05
Reinspection fee
$50 per discipline (first reinspection is free)
06
Penalty (no permit)
Work without permit equals the value of the permit fee, capped at $1,000 for one- and two-family projects and $5,000 for other projects
Credit card payments add a 2.75% processing fee.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Inspection scheduling portal (online)
- 865-215-4311 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (staff hours); 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (front counter)
Typical sequence: Required inspections include footings, foundations, floodplain inspections, underground plumbing and electrical, mechanical and gas piping, fire separation or firewall construction, insulation, rough plumbing and electrical, mechanical and gas piping, shower pan, rough framing, final trade inspections, and final building inspection prior to occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Knoxville permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Knoxville, TN? ▸
Any owner or authorized agent who intends 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, or plumbing systems must obtain a permit. Sidewalks and driveways in the public right-of-way also require a building permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Knoxville, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Knoxville, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Building permits are 0.55% of valuation with a $50 minimum. Fees are calculated as: Building permits: 0.55% of valuation, $50 minimum. Trade permits and other categories have published valuation formulas in the 2024 schedule.. Plan check fee: IRC plan review is 0.025% of project valuation, $50 minimum ($35 minimum for IRC non-habitable accessory structures, decks, and pools). IBC plan review starts at 0.1% of valuation with graduated tiers..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Knoxville, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Knoxville, TN, follow these steps: 1. Register or log in to an Accela Citizen Access account. Contractors must be associated with the appropriate registration or license type. 2. Prepare the application, valuation, construction documents, and site plan required for plan review. 3. Submit through the city project portal workflow or email to plansreview@knoxvilletn.gov. 4. Upload plans and respond to correction comments through KnoxPlans / ProjectDox if requested. 5. Pay plan review, permit, and trade fees through the direct pay portal. 6. Once issued, post the permit, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or certificate documentation.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Knoxville, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Knoxville, TN typically run No standard public permit issuance SLA published.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Knoxville, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Knoxville, 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; 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, mechanical, and minor plumbing repair items. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Knoxville, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Knoxville, TN via: Inspection scheduling portal, 865-215-4311.
last verified April 2026
source Plans Review and Inspections, City of Knoxville ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/knox/knoxville
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Plans Review and Inspections, City of Knoxville before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.