Charleston, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Bradley County Planning and Inspections administers all permits for the City of Charleston. Resolution 2022-47 states the adopted county codes are enforced in Charleston. Charleston city government still has separate planning and municipal code resources, but the building permit authority itself is county-administered.

Department

Bradley County Planning and Inspections

Address

155 Broad Street NW, Cleveland, TN 37311, basement of the Courthouse Annex

Phone

(423) 728-7106

Email

permits@bradleycountytn.gov

Website

https://bradleycountytn.gov/departments/planning/building-inspections/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project location is in Charleston and obtain the correct county form package for residential, commercial, manufactured home, demolition, or land disturbance work.
2. Gather required project information, including parcel data, site sketch, square footage, contractor information, utility information, and any septic or sewer documentation.
3. If septic is involved, obtain a TDEC septic permit, inspection letter, or sewer availability letter before final permit issuance.
4. Submit county forms as PDFs by email to permits@bradleycountytn.gov or deliver them to the Planning and Inspections office. The county says photos are not accepted.
5. County staff reviews zoning, road access, addressing, floodplain, stormwater, and land disturbance issues. Commercial permits also require state contractor license, Bradley County business license, workers compensation or exemption letter, and certificate of liability insurance.
6. Pay permit and any trade fees after approval. The permit is issued once required paperwork, approvals, and fees are complete.

Typical processing time: No general county processing-time estimate was posted on the public pages reviewed.

Source: Bradley County Planning and Inspections

General Requirements

County forms state all permits for Charleston are purchased through Bradley County Planning and Inspections. Building permits are required for residential and commercial construction covered by the county's adopted codes, with separate plumbing, HVAC, fuel gas, electrical, demolition, and land disturbance permits as applicable.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Parcel and zoning information
• Square footage and room counts for residential work
• Site sketch
• Contractor information
• Trade information
• Septic approval or sewer availability letter
• For commercial work: plans meeting code submittal requirements plus contractor license, county business license, workers compensation or exemption letter, and certificate of liability insurance

Permit validity

The permit becomes invalid if authorized work is not commenced within 30 days of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months.

Building code

Bradley County Resolution 2022-47 adopts the 2018 IBC, IRC, IECC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC, NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and 2010 ADA Standards. These codes are enforced in unincorporated Bradley County and the City of Charleston, TN.

Owner-builder

An individual may purchase a permit and build one home every 2 years as their own contractor if they take the financial risk and oversee construction. They may hire licensed subcontractors but may not buy a homeowner permit and then hire an unlicensed builder, foreman, or project coordinator to oversee the job.

Contractor requirements

Commercial permits require a State of Tennessee licensed contractor and submission of current contractor license, Bradley County business license, workers compensation or exemption letter, and certificate of liability insurance. Residential owner-builders are limited as described in the county affidavit.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building permit minimum $50.00 for valuation of $1,000 and less. Fuel gas minimum $25.00. Plumbing minimum $15.00. Mechanical work up to $1,000 is $25.00.

Plan check fee

No separate plan review fee formula was published in the county fee schedule; review is embedded in the county permit process.

Permit fee formula

Building fees are valuation-based under Schedule B: $50 up to $1,000, then tiered by valuation. Mechanical is valuation-based. Plumbing is fixture-based. Fuel gas is $25 minimum plus $5 per appliance. Land disturbance permit is $100 for the first acre and $50 for each additional acre.

Reinspection fee

$25.00. Work started before permit issuance is subject to doubled permit fees.

Payment note

County forms list cash, check, and card fields. The public county page does not describe an online payment workflow for building permits.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Bradley County Planning and Inspections to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Bradley County Planning and Inspections: (423) 728-7106 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

At least 24 hours advance notice required

Inspection hours

Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM; Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: County residential inspection sheet lists footing, foundation, framing, insulation/energy, and final inspections, with electrical rough-in and final, plumbing rough-in and final, mechanical rough-in and final, and fuel gas rough-in and final preceding county framing or final approvals as applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Bradley County Resolution 2022-47 adopts the 2018 IBC, IRC, IECC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC, NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and 2010 ADA Standards. These codes are enforced in unincorporated Bradley County and the City of Charleston, TN.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Charleston City Services
• Charleston Municipal Code (MTAS)
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Bradley County