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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Jonesborough
Jonesborough states that any owner or owner's authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit.
One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall unless supporting a surcharge
Water tanks supported directly on grade not exceeding 5,000 gallons and meeting the listed ratio limits
Sidewalks and driveways
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Swings and other playground equipment
Window awnings projecting not more than 54 inches and not requiring additional support
Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
Listed minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs in the town's posted permit-exempt handout
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade not exceeding 5,000 gallons and meeting the listed ratio limits
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment
- Exempt Window awnings projecting not more than 54 inches and not requiring additional support
- Exempt Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
- Exempt Listed minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs in the town's posted permit-exempt handout
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Owner and contractor details
- Zoning district
- Project valuation
- Flood-zone information
- Construction details
- Contractor license number when required
- Historic Zoning Commission approval date where applicable
- Any other supporting plans or stormwater documents needed for the site
- Building code
- Jonesborough's Building Department page says inspections are for compliance with 2018 ICC codes requirements. The municipal code amendments page also shows 2021 adoption of the 2018 International Building Code, 2023 International Energy Conservation amendments, and 2025 building code, permit fee, and plan review fee amendments.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly posted in the reviewed Jonesborough public materials.
- Owner-builder
- Jonesborough's public page says the owner or the owner's authorized agent may apply. No separate local owner-builder affidavit or published limitation was found in the reviewed materials.
- Contractor requirements
- The building permit application requires a state contractor license number for all construction of $25,000 or more. Tennessee state contractor and trade licensing rules still apply for building and trade work.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not publicly posted in the reviewed Jonesborough materials.
- 01 Contact the Building Department and confirm whether the project needs a permit, grading permit, Historic Zoning Commission approval, or stormwater review. Jonesborough specifically calls out historic district exterior work and disturbance over 1 acre.
- 02 Download the applicable building, grading, demolition, or mechanical/plumbing permit form from the Building Department page or obtain it from the Administration Office in Town Hall.
- 03 Complete the building permit application with owner, contractor, zoning district, project valuation, flood-zone information, and construction details. The application also asks for Historic Zoning Commission approval date when applicable.
- 04 Submit the application and any required supporting materials to the building official. The Building Department page says permits are applied for through the building official before work starts.
- 05 Pay permit and any plan review fees. Effective July 29, 2025, Jonesborough's building permit fees are calculated from the project's sum total valuation.
- 06 Wait for review and approval. The town does not post a general permit turnaround time in the reviewed materials.
- 07 After issuance, call for required inspections. The application specifically says footings must be inspected before concrete is poured, and the Building Department page says the inspector handles footers, concrete, plumbing, framing, and related inspections.
Typical processing time: Not publicly posted in the reviewed Jonesborough materials.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 29, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No separate minimum building permit fee is listed in the posted 2025 building fee ordinance; valuation is multiplied by the adopted percentage
02
Plan check fee
See the posted plan review fee sheet for planning and review charges. Examples include site plan review at $250 per acre, grading permits from $100 to $1,200 by acreage, minor subdivision plat review at $75 plus $50 per lot, major subdivision plat review at $200 plus $50 per lot, rezoning review fees, and BZA appeals at $300.
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit fees are valuation-based at 0.85% of the sum total project valuation. The ordinance says valuation includes all work, including building, plumbing, and mechanical. Mechanical-only permits are also calculated at 0.85% of mechanical valuation. Moving, demolition, and manufactured home setup permits are each $100. Outdoor advertising signs are 3.5% of signage valuation, and off-premises outdoor advertising signs are 0.85%.
04
Reinspection fee
The 2025 fee ordinance states work started before obtaining a required permit causes permit fees to be doubled.
05
Penalty (no permit)
The 2025 fee ordinance states work started before obtaining a required permit causes permit fees to be doubled.
Plan review fee sheet states fees must be paid prior to administrative or board approval. No public online permit payment portal was identified.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 29, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call Building Inspector at 423-753-1035 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- No public inspection hours or cut-off times were posted on the reviewed Jonesborough pages
Typical sequence: Footers before pouring concrete; concrete work; plumbing; framing; and other code inspections as needed by project scope.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Jonesborough permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Jonesborough, TN? ▸
Jonesborough states that any owner or owner's authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, must first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Jonesborough, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Jonesborough, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is No separate minimum building permit fee is listed in the posted 2025 building fee ordinance; valuation is multiplied by the adopted percentage. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are valuation-based at 0.85% of the sum total project valuation. The ordinance says valuation includes all work, including building, plumbing, and mechanical. Mechanical-only permits are also calculated at 0.85% of mechanical valuation. Moving, demolition, and manufactured home setup permits are each $100. Outdoor advertising signs are 3.5% of signage valuation, and off-premises outdoor advertising signs are 0.85%.. Plan check fee: See the posted plan review fee sheet for planning and review charges. Examples include site plan review at $250 per acre, grading permits from $100 to $1,200 by acreage, minor subdivision plat review at $75 plus $50 per lot, major subdivision plat review at $200 plus $50 per lot, rezoning review fees, and BZA appeals at $300..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Jonesborough, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Jonesborough, TN, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Building Department and confirm whether the project needs a permit, grading permit, Historic Zoning Commission approval, or stormwater review. Jonesborough specifically calls out historic district exterior work and disturbance over 1 acre. 2. Download the applicable building, grading, demolition, or mechanical/plumbing permit form from the Building Department page or obtain it from the Administration Office in Town Hall. 3. Complete the building permit application with owner, contractor, zoning district, project valuation, flood-zone information, and construction details. The application also asks for Historic Zoning Commission approval date when applicable. 4. Submit the application and any required supporting materials to the building official. The Building Department page says permits are applied for through the building official before work starts. 5. Pay permit and any plan review fees. Effective July 29, 2025, Jonesborough's building permit fees are calculated from the project's sum total valuation. 6. Wait for review and approval. The town does not post a general permit turnaround time in the reviewed materials. 7. After issuance, call for required inspections. The application specifically says footings must be inspected before concrete is poured, and the Building Department page says the inspector handles footers, concrete, plumbing, framing, and related inspections.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Jonesborough, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Jonesborough, TN typically run Not publicly posted in the reviewed Jonesborough materials.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Jonesborough, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Jonesborough, TN. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks supported directly on grade not exceeding 5,000 gallons and meeting the listed ratio limits; Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and other playground equipment; Window awnings projecting not more than 54 inches and not requiring additional support; Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door; Listed minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs in the town's posted permit-exempt handout. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Jonesborough, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Jonesborough, TN via: Call Building Inspector at 423-753-1035.
last verified April 2026
source Town of Jonesborough Building Department ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/washington/jonesborough
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Jonesborough Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.