County Building Permits
Union County, TN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
This is the clearest countywide permit path in the public record. The county assessor states that all building permits for Union County must be purchased in that office and that permits are not offered online.
- Department
- Union County Assessor of Property
- Address
- 901 Main Street, Suite 106, Maynardville, TN 37807
- Phone
- 865-992-3211
Online Permit Portal
Platform: None found • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Verify zoning, subdivision, septic, and address issues first.
- Apply to the Union County Assessor of Property for the building permit.
- Provide the project description, owner information, address, and estimated cost.
- Pay the permit fee.
- Obtain the permit before starting construction.
- Complete any inspections and closeout steps required by county or state code.
Typical processing time: Not publicly posted
General Requirements
Under the county private act, permits are required for new buildings or structures and for alterations over $1,000 in value.
Required Documents
- Application form prescribed by the county tax assessor; project type, location, owner identity, estimated cost, and any other requested information
- Permit validity
- Not publicly posted in the reviewed county sources
- Building code
- The county assessor page links to state building codes. The public county materials reviewed do not clearly publish a county-specific adopted edition, so this should be treated as state code-based county enforcement unless confirmed otherwise by the county.
- Owner-builder
- State law allows a property owner to build one single residence every two years for personal use, not for resale, lease, or rent
- Contractor requirements
- State contractor licensing rules still apply where the project exceeds applicable thresholds
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Public act caps the fee at up to $225 residential and $450 commercial, but the current county-set amount was not clearly published in the public sources reviewed
- Plan check fee
- Not publicly posted
- Permit fee formula
- Statutory maximum with county legislative body setting the actual amount
- Reinspection fee
- Not publicly posted
- Payment note
- County assessor says permits are sold in the office and are not offered online
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Union County Assessor of Property to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Not publicly posted (phone)
- Inspection hours
- County courthouse offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Time windows
- County courthouse offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Not publicly posted
Not publicly posted
Additional Resources
- Building code: The county assessor page links to state building codes. The public county materials reviewed do not clearly publish a county-specific adopted edition, so this should be treated as state code-based county enforcement unless confirmed otherwise by the county.
- 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 Union County Assessor of Property before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Union County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Union County, TN?
- Under the county private act, permits are required for new buildings or structures and for alterations over $1,000 in value.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Union County, TN?
- The minimum permit fee is Public act caps the fee at up to $225 residential and $450 commercial, but the current county-set amount was not clearly published in the public sources reviewed. Fees are calculated as: Statutory maximum with county legislative body setting the actual amount. Plan check fee: Not publicly posted.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, TN?
- 1. Verify zoning, subdivision, septic, and address issues first. 2. Apply to the Union County Assessor of Property for the building permit. 3. Provide the project description, owner information, address, and estimated cost. 4. Pay the permit fee. 5. Obtain the permit before starting construction. 6. Complete any inspections and closeout steps required by county or state code.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Union County, TN?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly posted.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Union County, TN?
- The following work is generally exempt: No public county exemption list for ordinary building work was located; The private act says the county permit is not required in areas where local zoning or building permits are required and enforced and copies are provided to the county assessor, but the county assessor page still says all permits are purchased there.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Union County, TN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Not publicly posted.
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