On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Union County
Under the county private act, permits are required for new buildings or structures and for alterations over $1,000 in value.
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
- Exempt No public county exemption list for ordinary building work was located
- Exempt 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
Required documents
- Application form prescribed by the county tax assessor; project type, location, owner identity, estimated cost, and any other requested information
- 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.
- Permit validity
- Not publicly posted in the reviewed county sources
- 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
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly posted
- 01 Verify zoning, subdivision, septic, and address issues first.
- 02 Apply to the Union County Assessor of Property for the building permit.
- 03 Provide the project description, owner information, address, and estimated cost.
- 04 Pay the permit fee.
- 05 Obtain the permit before starting construction.
- 06 Complete any inspections and closeout steps required by county or state code.
Typical processing time: Not publicly posted
§ 04
Fee schedule
Union County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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
02
Plan check fee
Not publicly posted
03
Permit fee formula
Statutory maximum with county legislative body setting the actual amount
04
Reinspection fee
Not publicly posted
County assessor says permits are sold in the office and are not offered online
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: Not publicly posted
Not publicly posted
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Union County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Union County, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Union County, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, TN, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Union County, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Union County, TN typically run Not publicly posted. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Union County, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Union County, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Union County, TN via: Not publicly posted.
last verified April 2026
source Union County Assessor of Property ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/union/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Union County Assessor of Property before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.