Blount County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Blount County Development Services handles permits, inspections, and occupancy certificates for unincorporated Blount County. Incorporated cities such as Maryville, Alcoa, and Townsend use their own permit authorities.

Department

Blount County Development Services

Address

1221 McArthur Road, Maryville, TN 37804

Phone

865-681-9301

Email

development@blounttn.org

Website

https://www.blounttn.gov/1167/Permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Use the county Forms and Applications page to obtain the Building Permit Application, Permit Process Checklist, extension form, sample submissions, and any other related building, grading, zoning, or septic forms.
2. Assemble the required package. County procedures for residential one- and two-family dwellings require a completed application, site plan, owners and contractor information, state contractor license when required, workers compensation proof or exemption, and any applicable supporting documents.
3. Submit the application to Development Services at 1221 McArthur Road. Applications may be brought in, and some forms can be faxed or otherwise transmitted depending on permit type.
4. The Department of Building Safety reviews plans for code compliance and issues the permit when submitted information is within regulations.
5. Receive the permit, required inspection list, and jobsite tag, then schedule inspections through Development Services.
6. Complete all inspections and obtain final approval and certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion, depending on project type.

Typical processing time: The county materials reviewed do not publish a single universal turnaround time for permit issuance.

Source: Blount County Development Services

General Requirements

County materials publish forms and procedures for building permits, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits, swimming pools, manufactured homes, signs, demolition, grading, zoning requests, and pre-approved plans. Development Services accepts applications for all construction permits and Board of Construction Appeals matters and schedules inspections.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• Site plan
• Owner and contractor names, addresses, and phone numbers
• State contractor license number when required
• Workers compensation proof or exemption affidavit
• Construction valuation
• Project-specific forms such as the Single Family Dwelling Use form, grading permit application, septic permits, or zoning approvals where applicable

Permit validity

County forms do not expose a single public expiration summary, but the county posts a Building Permit Extension form, which confirms extensions are part of the local process.

Building code

The county Development Services page states building codes are enforced under adopted construction codes. Verify the currently adopted code editions directly with Development Services at filing.

Owner-builder

County permit procedures state the owner may act as contractor on some permit types. The county posts project-specific owner or agent forms, including the Single Family Dwelling Use form.

Contractor requirements

County requires the general contractor's state contractor license number when required and proof of workers compensation or a state-mandated affidavit of exemption at permit application. Verify Tennessee state licensing thresholds for the specific scope.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 plus review fee for building valuation of $2,000 or less.

Plan check fee

$100 for valuation under $250,000; $125 for $250,001 to $500,000; $250 for $500,001 to $1,000,000; and $500 over $1,000,000.

Permit fee formula

Valuation based. County building permit fees start at $50 plus review fee up to $2,000, then escalate by valuation tiers through $1,000,001 and above. Separate flat or semi-flat schedules are posted for gas or mechanical only permits, plumbing only permits, manufactured homes, pools, demolition, signs, and other categories.

Reinspection fee

Residential reinspection or extra requested inspection at $75; commercial at $100. Building without a permit is $200 for first offense plus related permit fees and $350 for second offense plus related permit fees.

Payment note

Development Services accepts credit card payments and charges a non-refundable 3.25 percent convenience fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2020).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Blount County Development Services to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Blount County Development Services: 865-681-9301 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Allow 24 to 48 hours lead time for inspections

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: County residential and commercial procedure sheets reference footing or site-plan approval first, then applicable trade and framing inspections, then final inspection before certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion. The exact sequence varies by permit type.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The county Development Services page states building codes are enforced under adopted construction codes. Verify the currently adopted code editions directly with Development Services at filing.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Forms and Applications
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub