On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Sumner County
The county states Building & Codes handles plan review, permitting, and inspections for adopted county codes. Applications and quicklinks cover houses, duplexes, mobile homes, additions, conversions to living area, accessory structures, pools, signs, demolition, moving, tiny homes, unfinished basements, use and occupancy permits, temporary commercial structures, and more.
Residential accessory structures are listed as exempt from demolition permit requirements in the county fee schedule.
- Exempt Residential accessory structures are listed as exempt from demolition permit requirements in the county fee schedule.
Note: No broader public general exemption list was located on the reviewed county pages.
Required documents
- Recorded deed
- Septic approval or affidavit and sewer tap receipt if applicable
- Water tap receipt or driller report
- Site plan
- Contractor license, liability certificate, and workers compensation proof
- Construction plans
- Assigned address
- Land disturbance permit or disclaimer
- Zoning compliance packet
- Adequate facilities tax
- Driveway permit
- Gas piping and appliance schematic when fuel gas is used
- Building code
- County page states the 2015 county building codes are no longer enforced as of May 19, 2023, and posts newly adopted 2021 ICC Building Codes.
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if work does not commence within 180 days after issuance, or if more than 180 days pass between inspections. Written extensions of up to 180 days each may be granted.
- Owner-builder
- Not clearly summarized on the reviewed county public pages.
- Contractor requirements
- The permit application requires contractor license, liability certificate made out to Sumner County, and workers compensation proof. Commercial plans must be stamped by an architect.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general processing time estimate was publicly posted on the reviewed pages.
- 01 Confirm the property is in unincorporated Sumner County.
- 02 Gather the permit application and required supporting documents from the county Building & Codes page.
- 03 Obtain prerequisite items listed by the county, including deed, septic approval or affidavit if applicable, water documentation, assigned address, zoning compliance packet, land disturbance permit or disclaimer, adequate facilities tax, and driveway permit where required.
- 04 Submit the completed application and construction plans to the county.
- 05 For commercial projects, provide architect-stamped plans.
- 06 Pay permit fees and any applicable adequate facilities tax.
- 07 Complete required inspections and obtain certificate of occupancy before occupancy where applicable.
Typical processing time: No general processing time estimate was publicly posted on the reviewed pages.
Source: Sumner County Building & Codes ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Many miscellaneous permit categories show a $150 minimum; use and occupancy permit has a $250 minimum; above-ground pools have a $125 minimum; photovoltaic permits have a $500 minimum
02
Plan check fee
No separate plan check fee was clearly listed in the reviewed county fee text.
03
Permit fee formula
County fee schedule is primarily based on square footage multiplied by ICC Building Valuation Data construction costs and a 0.006 permit multiplier, with separate flat minimums and special-case categories.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fee is $50 when work fails inspection or the site is not accessible; commencing work without a permit triggers a 100 percent fee increase.
The reviewed county public pages do not clearly post online payment instructions for general building permits.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 615-452-1467 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Address assignment office hours shown in the permit application are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; a general county inspection scheduling window was not clearly posted.
Typical sequence: The county states the process is plan review, permitting, and inspections, and posts a Required Inspections quicklink, but the reviewed public text does not display the full universal sequence.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Sumner County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Sumner County, TN? ▸
The county states Building & Codes handles plan review, permitting, and inspections for adopted county codes. Applications and quicklinks cover houses, duplexes, mobile homes, additions, conversions to living area, accessory structures, pools, signs, demolition, moving, tiny homes, unfinished basements, use and occupancy permits, temporary commercial structures, and more.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Sumner County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Sumner County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Many miscellaneous permit categories show a $150 minimum; use and occupancy permit has a $250 minimum; above-ground pools have a $125 minimum; photovoltaic permits have a $500 minimum. Fees are calculated as: County fee schedule is primarily based on square footage multiplied by ICC Building Valuation Data construction costs and a 0.006 permit multiplier, with separate flat minimums and special-case categories.. Plan check fee: No separate plan check fee was clearly listed in the reviewed county fee text..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sumner County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Sumner County, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Sumner County. 2. Gather the permit application and required supporting documents from the county Building & Codes page. 3. Obtain prerequisite items listed by the county, including deed, septic approval or affidavit if applicable, water documentation, assigned address, zoning compliance packet, land disturbance permit or disclaimer, adequate facilities tax, and driveway permit where required. 4. Submit the completed application and construction plans to the county. 5. For commercial projects, provide architect-stamped plans. 6. Pay permit fees and any applicable adequate facilities tax. 7. Complete required inspections and obtain certificate of occupancy before occupancy where applicable.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Sumner County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Sumner County, TN typically run No general processing time estimate was publicly posted on the reviewed pages.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Sumner County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Sumner County, TN. The following work is generally exempt: Residential accessory structures are listed as exempt from demolition permit requirements in the county fee schedule.. Note: No broader public general exemption list was located on the reviewed county pages. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Sumner County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Sumner County, TN via: 615-452-1467.
last verified April 2026
source Sumner County Building & Codes ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/sumner/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Sumner County Building & Codes before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.