On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Marshall County
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.
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.
- Exempt Routine maintenance and repairs, such as painting and replacing rotten porch floors or steps.
- Exempt 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.
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.
- 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.
- Permit validity
- Work must begin within 6 months of permit issuance and cannot stop for more than 1 year or the permit becomes invalid.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not clearly stated publicly.
- 01 Check whether the work is permit-required under county rules.
- 02 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.
- 03 Submit the application in person or digitally to the Marshall County Building Codes Office or through the county portal.
- 04 County staff reviews the plans and supporting documents.
- 05 Pay fees before review approval and inspections.
- 06 Receive permit approval and post the permit on site.
- 07 Begin work within 6 months of issuance and keep work active without a gap longer than 1 year.
- 08 Pass final inspection and obtain certificate of occupancy before use.
Typical processing time: Not clearly stated publicly.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Marshall County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not clearly published in the reviewed county guide
02
Plan check fee
Not clearly published in the reviewed pages
03
Permit fee formula
Primarily valuation-based under the county's 1990 ICC permit fee schedule, plus a flat adequate facilities fee
04
Reinspection fee
The county FAQ says starting work before permit issuance triggers a penalty of double the normal permit fee
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Marshall County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Marshall County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Marshall County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Marshall County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Marshall County, TN, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Marshall County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Marshall County, TN typically run Not clearly stated publicly.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Marshall County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Marshall County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Marshall County, TN via: County materials say all applications and inspection requests can be made through their respective portals..
last verified April 2026
source Marshall County Building Inspector/Codes ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/marshall/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Marshall County Building Inspector/Codes before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.