Unincorporated Washington County

Washington County's zoning office oversees residential building code enforcement in unincorporated areas and publishes residential building permit and zoning compliance applications for new construction, additions, decks or porches, detached garages or carports, modular and manufactured homes, pools or hot tubs, storage or utility buildings, and related residential work. The county fee schedule also distinguishes full building permits from separate residential zoning compliance permits for single- and double-wide homes, accessory structures under 200 square feet, and decks under 200 square feet.

Note: No comprehensive county-published exempt-work list was identified in the reviewed public pages for unincorporated Washington County. Accessory structures under 200 square feet are handled through a residential zoning compliance permit line item rather than the full building permit fee schedule. Decks under 200 square feet are likewise listed under residential zoning compliance permit fees rather than the full building permit fee schedule.

Building code

Washington County states it adopted and is enforcing the 2018 International Residential Code.

Permit validity

The county's application and online form say the permit becomes invalid unless work is started within 180 days. If work is suspended or no inspection is requested for 180 days, the permit expires.

Owner-builder

County forms ask whether the property owner is acting as the general contractor. No separate county owner-builder affidavit was found in the reviewed public materials.

Contractor requirements

County forms require contractor name, email, phone, and license number. Tennessee state contractor licensing rules still apply based on trade and project value thresholds.

1. 01
   Confirm the project is in unincorporated Washington County and determine whether it needs a residential building permit, a residential zoning compliance permit, planning review, rezoning, site plan review, floodplain review, driveway permit, or stormwater approvals.
2. 02
   Complete the county's residential building permit application or use the Form Center residential zoning compliance application. The county states building permit application and document submittals go to zoning@washingtoncountytn.org.
3. 03
   Submit the required property, owner, contractor, valuation, setback, and site information, plus supporting plot plan, aerial, or diagram showing improvements, setbacks, and public road access.
4. 04
   Obtain outside approvals that the county application specifically references, including electrical service and permit coordination with Bright Ridge, septic approvals from TDEC, and driveway permits from the Washington County Highway Department when applicable.
5. 05
   County staff reviews the permit for zoning and residential code compliance and records required planning approvals such as Regional Planning Commission, rezoning, site plan, or Board of Zoning Appeals actions if applicable.
6. 06
   Pay permit fees. The online form and fee schedule note archive fees, base permit cost, non-refundable fees, and double fees when work starts before permit issuance.
7. 07
   Schedule inspections by 3:00 p.m. the day prior by calling 423-753-1753, complete all inspections, and obtain the certificate of occupancy before occupying the structure.

Typical processing time: No general permit issuance SLA was posted, but inspections must be scheduled by 3:00 p.m. the day prior.

Source: Washington County Zoning, Planning & Building Codes - Codes Compliance ↗

The county's online form states permit fees are non-transferable and non-refundable. The county has also warned the public to verify payment requests directly with the zoning and planning office at 423-753-1753.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• Call 423-753-1753 by 3:00 p.m. the day prior (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Must call by 3:00 p.m. the day prior

Inspection hours

8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Typical sequence: Footer; slab if applicable; framing; rough-in plumbing; rough-in mechanical; insulation; plumbing; mechanical; final; then certificate of occupancy.