On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Knox County
Knox County's Codes Administration handles construction permits for unincorporated areas. Permits are required for construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and regulated trade work in unincorporated Knox County unless exempt under the adopted code.
One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet
Fences
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 adopted IRC 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
Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing items listed in 2018 IRC Section R105.2 as adopted by the county, subject to any local amendment
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet
- Exempt Fences
- 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 adopted IRC 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 Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing items listed in 2018 IRC Section R105.2 as adopted by the county, subject to any local amendment
Required documents
- Plans including a site plan
- PDF plan submission for larger plan sets if applying in person
- Certified address sheet from Knoxville-Knox Planning
- Commercial plans stamped by a Tennessee licensed architect or engineer
- Septic or health department documentation when applicable
- Building code
- 2018 ICC code package effective November 19, 2018, including 2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IPMC, ICCPC, IEBC, IECC, IFC, IGCC, ISPSC, and 2018 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
- Permit validity
- Permit expiration rule not clearly stated in public pages. Fee schedule includes a $50 permit renewal fee.
- Owner-builder
- Under T.C.A. 62-6-103, an owner may construct a single residence once every two years for their own use and not for resale, lease, or rent. The owner must not have applied for a homeowner permit in the prior two years, must perform the work except where properly licensed parties are required, and remains responsible for workers compensation and general liability issues. If a contractor is hired later, the permit will be voided and the contractor must apply for a new permit.
- Contractor requirements
- Confirm contractor licensing through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors license search at https://verify.tn.gov. Workers compensation exemption affidavits and other contractor documentation are available on the county codes site.
Source: Codes Administration and Enforcement, Knox County Tennessee Government ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No public standard review-time estimate posted.
- 01 Gather required project documents, including one copy of plans with a site plan. Plans larger than 11x14 should be submitted in PDF if applying in person.
- 02 Obtain a certified address sheet from Knoxville-Knox Planning online or by contacting addressing@knoxplanning.org or 865-215-2507.
- 03 Obtain septic-related documentation if applicable: drainfield layout from the health department for dwellings on septic systems, or certification for additions or accessory buildings.
- 04 For commercial work, provide plans stamped by a State of Tennessee licensed architect or engineer.
- 05 Submit through the Knox Permit Portal or in person between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Online filers do not need to visit the office.
- 06 After review and payment, permit issuance is completed and inspections are coordinated through the county office and inspection lookup system.
Typical processing time: No public standard review-time estimate posted.
Source: Codes Administration and Enforcement, Knox County Tennessee Government ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 1, 2023
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50 building permit fee for valuation up to and including $2,000, plus a separate $25 technology access fee added to most permit types
02
Plan check fee
Residential and structures up to $75,000 valuation: $50. Over $75,000 to $500,000: $100. Over $500,000 to $1,000,000: $250. Over $1,000,000: $500. Gas service, tank installation, and tank removal: $50 each. $100 per revision after the second revision.
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based: Up to $2,000: $50; Over $2,000 to $50,000: $50 for first $2,000 plus $5 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $50,000 to $100,000: $290 for first $50,000 plus $4 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $100,000 to $500,000: $490 for first $100,000 plus $3 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $500,000 to $1,000,000: $1,690 for first $500,000 plus $2 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $1,000,000: $2,690 for first $1,000,000 plus $1.50 per additional thousand or fraction
04
Trade permit fee
Included in general fee structure
05
Reinspection fee
$50 each. Inspection cancellation within 24 hours: $100 for first violation, $200 for each thereafter.
06
Penalty (no permit)
Work without permit: fee structure not separately published on the fee sheet
MSBPay is the payment portal. A 2.50% convenience fee is charged on all credit card transactions by a third-party processor. The county does not receive any part of that fee.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2023) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 865-215-2325 (phone)
- Inspection lookup system (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: Inspection requirements vary by project and adopted code. County public pages do not provide one consolidated inspection-sequence checklist by permit type.
Source: Codes Administration and Enforcement, Knox County Tennessee Government ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Knox County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Knox County, TN? ▸
Knox County's Codes Administration handles construction permits for unincorporated areas. Permits are required for construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and regulated trade work in unincorporated Knox County unless exempt under the adopted code.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Knox County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Knox County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50 building permit fee for valuation up to and including $2,000, plus a separate $25 technology access fee added to most permit types. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based: Up to $2,000: $50; Over $2,000 to $50,000: $50 for first $2,000 plus $5 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $50,000 to $100,000: $290 for first $50,000 plus $4 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $100,000 to $500,000: $490 for first $100,000 plus $3 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $500,000 to $1,000,000: $1,690 for first $500,000 plus $2 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $1,000,000: $2,690 for first $1,000,000 plus $1.50 per additional thousand or fraction. Plan check fee: Residential and structures up to $75,000 valuation: $50. Over $75,000 to $500,000: $100. Over $500,000 to $1,000,000: $250. Over $1,000,000: $500. Gas service, tank installation, and tank removal: $50 each. $100 per revision after the second revision..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Knox County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Knox County, TN, follow these steps: 1. Gather required project documents, including one copy of plans with a site plan. Plans larger than 11x14 should be submitted in PDF if applying in person. 2. Obtain a certified address sheet from Knoxville-Knox Planning online or by contacting addressing@knoxplanning.org or 865-215-2507. 3. Obtain septic-related documentation if applicable: drainfield layout from the health department for dwellings on septic systems, or certification for additions or accessory buildings. 4. For commercial work, provide plans stamped by a State of Tennessee licensed architect or engineer. 5. Submit through the Knox Permit Portal or in person between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Online filers do not need to visit the office. 6. After review and payment, permit issuance is completed and inspections are coordinated through the county office and inspection lookup system.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Knox County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Knox County, TN typically run No public standard review-time estimate posted.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Knox County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Knox County, TN. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet; Fences; 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 adopted IRC 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; Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing items listed in 2018 IRC Section R105.2 as adopted by the county, subject to any local amendment. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Knox County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Knox County, TN via: 865-215-2325, Inspection lookup system.
last verified April 2026
source Codes Administration and Enforcement, Knox County Tennessee Government ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/knox/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Codes Administration and Enforcement, Knox County Tennessee Government before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.