City Building Permits

Knoxville, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Knoxville, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Tennessee Knox County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies within the City of Knoxville city limits. Separate from Knox County Codes Administration for unincorporated areas.

Department
Plans Review and Inspections, City of Knoxville
Address
400 Main Street, Suite 475, Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone
865-215-4311
Website
https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/plans_review_inspections

Online Permit Portal

Open Accela Citizen Access

Platform: Accela Citizen Access • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Register or log in to an Accela Citizen Access account. Contractors must be associated with the appropriate registration or license type.
  2. Prepare the application, valuation, construction documents, and site plan required for plan review.
  3. Submit through the city project portal workflow or email to plansreview@knoxvilletn.gov.
  4. Upload plans and respond to correction comments through KnoxPlans / ProjectDox if requested.
  5. Pay plan review, permit, and trade fees through the direct pay portal.
  6. Once issued, post the permit, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or certificate documentation.

Typical processing time: No standard public permit issuance SLA published.

Source: Plans Review and Inspections, City of Knoxville

General Requirements

Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems must obtain a permit. Sidewalks and driveways in the public right-of-way also require a building permit.

Required Documents

  • Permit application identifying the work, property, and intended use
  • Project valuation
  • Construction documents
  • Site plan
  • Contractor registration or license documentation
Permit validity
Every permit becomes invalid after 365 days. Permits may be renewed annually.
Building code
2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IEBC, 2024 IFC with local amendments, 2018 IECC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 ISPSC with local amendments, 2018 IPMC, 2023 NEC with local amendments, 2024 IGCC, and 2017 ICC ANSI A117.1
Owner-builder
The city has a homeowner registration pathway in its permit-registration system. Applicants should confirm current requirements directly with Plans Review and Inspections.
Contractor requirements
Anyone applying for a permit must be associated with a registration based on qualifications. Different work types require particular registration types, sometimes together with a State of Tennessee license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Building permits are 0.55% of valuation with a $50 minimum
Plan check fee
IRC plan review is 0.025% of project valuation, $50 minimum ($35 minimum for IRC non-habitable accessory structures, decks, and pools). IBC plan review starts at 0.1% of valuation with graduated tiers.
Permit fee formula
Building permits: 0.55% of valuation, $50 minimum. Trade permits and other categories have published valuation formulas in the 2024 schedule.
Trade permit fee
Valuation-based; schedule published.
Reinspection fee
$50 per discipline (first reinspection is free)
Penalty (no permit)
Work without permit equals the value of the permit fee, capped at $1,000 for one- and two-family projects and $5,000 for other projects
Payment note
Credit card payments add a 2.75% processing fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet
  • Fences not over 7 feet high
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
  • Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons within the listed dimensional ratio
  • 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 that meet the listed wall-support and projection limits
  • Detached decks not over 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the required exit door
  • Listed temporary decorative lighting and other minor electrical items
  • Portable gas, mechanical, and minor plumbing repair items

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (staff hours); 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (front counter)

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections include footings, foundations, floodplain inspections, underground plumbing and electrical, mechanical and gas piping, fire separation or firewall construction, insulation, rough plumbing and electrical, mechanical and gas piping, shower pan, rough framing, final trade inspections, and final building inspection prior to occupancy.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Plans Review and Inspections, City of Knoxville before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Knoxville can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works
Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Knox County

farragut Unincorporated Area
View all Knox County jurisdictions →