How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?

The minimum permit fee is Not clearly published in the reviewed county guide. Fees are calculated as: Primarily valuation-based under the county's 1990 ICC permit fee schedule, plus a flat adequate facilities fee. Plan check fee: Not clearly published in the reviewed pages.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?

Typical processing time is Not clearly stated publicly..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?

The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance and repairs, such as painting and replacing rotten porch floors or steps.; Thin data note: the county FAQ does not publish a comprehensive exemption table, so small accessory and border-line items should be checked with the office first..

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: County materials say all applications and inspection requests can be made through their respective portals..

County Building Permits

Marshall County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Marshall County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Tennessee Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

This is the county authority for unincorporated Marshall County. The county office also handles zoning administration and uses portals for building permit, flood development, citizen request, and zoning/planning submissions.

Department: Marshall County Building Inspector/Codes
Address: 206 Legion Avenue Suite A, Lewisburg, TN 37091
Phone: 931-359-0567
Email: m.middleton@marshallcountytn.gov
Website: https://marshallcountytn.gov/building-inspector-codes

Online Permit Portal

Open Portal

Platform: iWorQ portal • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

Check whether the work is permit-required under county rules.
Assemble the application package with signed application, accurate square footage, property information, contractor license or owner-builder information, septic and water documentation, and construction documents.
Submit the application in person or digitally to the Marshall County Building Codes Office or through the county portal.
County staff reviews the plans and supporting documents.
Pay fees before review approval and inspections.
Receive permit approval and post the permit on site.
Begin work within 6 months of issuance and keep work active without a gap longer than 1 year.
Pass final inspection and obtain certificate of occupancy before use.

Typical processing time: Not clearly stated publicly.

Source: Marshall County Building Inspector/Codes

General Requirements

Marshall County requires a permit before excavating, building, moving, altering, or expanding any structure 200 square feet and greater, changing the use of a structure, and for any work in a flood-prone area. The county FAQ also says most outside renovation work, remodeling, and all additions require a permit.

Required Documents

Signed application, accurate square footage, accurate property owner and address, valid contractor license or applicable owner-builder exemption, valid septic permit, proof of adequate water source, and construction documents including elevations, foundation detail, floor plan, roof and wall detail, window and egress information, plumbing fixture locations, gas appliance data, and energy compliance details. Flood area work may also require a certified site plan, contour and flood boundary information, pre-elevation certificate, and floodproofing details.

Permit validity: Work must begin within 6 months of permit issuance and cannot stop for more than 1 year or the permit becomes invalid.
Building code: Marshall County states it uses the 1990 ICC building permit fee schedule and its building codes policy sets minimum requirements under the county's adopted codes and zoning regulations. The exact full code edition should be confirmed from the county code book if you need edition-level citation.
Owner-builder: The county guide says homeowners potentially can be exempt from the contractor license requirement. The county also directs applicants to state license exemption information.
Contractor requirements: A valid contractor license is required on the application unless a homeowner exemption applies. County materials also link to Tennessee contractor licensing guidance.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Not clearly published in the reviewed county guide
Plan check fee: Not clearly published in the reviewed pages
Permit fee formula: Primarily valuation-based under the county's 1990 ICC permit fee schedule, plus a flat adequate facilities fee
Reinspection fee: The county FAQ says starting work before permit issuance triggers a penalty of double the normal permit fee
Payment note: Fees are set by the Marshall County Commission and must be paid before permit review, approval, and inspections. Marshall County also charges an adequate facilities fee of $1.00 per square foot of conditioned space. The county guide says the fee is based on submitted plans or application details if no plans are submitted.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Marshall County Building Inspector/Codes to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

County materials say all applications and inspection requests can be made through their respective portals. (phone)

Inspection hours: Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Time windows: Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Typical inspection sequence: County final inspection precedes certificate of occupancy; floodplain and driveway approvals may be required before occupancy where applicable.

County FAQ warns that work begun before permit issuance can trigger double fees. The portal is also used for call-back requests and inspections.

Additional Resources

Building code: Marshall County states it uses the 1990 ICC building permit fee schedule and its building codes policy sets minimum requirements under the county's adopted codes and zoning regulations. The exact full code edition should be confirmed from the county code book if you need edition-level citation.
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 Marshall County Building Inspector/Codes before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Marshall County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?: Marshall County requires a permit before excavating, building, moving, altering, or expanding any structure 200 square feet and greater, changing the use of a structure, and for any work in a flood-prone area. The county FAQ also says most outside renovation work, remodeling, and all additions require a permit.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?: The minimum permit fee is Not clearly published in the reviewed county guide. Fees are calculated as: Primarily valuation-based under the county's 1990 ICC permit fee schedule, plus a flat adequate facilities fee. Plan check fee: Not clearly published in the reviewed pages.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?: 1. Check whether the work is permit-required under county rules. 2. Assemble the application package with signed application, accurate square footage, property information, contractor license or owner-builder information, septic and water documentation, and construction documents. 3. Submit the application in person or digitally to the Marshall County Building Codes Office or through the county portal. 4. County staff reviews the plans and supporting documents. 5. Pay fees before review approval and inspections. 6. Receive permit approval and post the permit on site. 7. Begin work within 6 months of issuance and keep work active without a gap longer than 1 year. 8. Pass final inspection and obtain certificate of occupancy before use.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?: Typical processing time is Not clearly stated publicly..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?: The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance and repairs, such as painting and replacing rotten porch floors or steps.; Thin data note: the county FAQ does not publish a comprehensive exemption table, so small accessory and border-line items should be checked with the office first..
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Marshall County, TN?: Inspections can be scheduled via: County materials say all applications and inspection requests can be made through their respective portals..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated Marshall County can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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