Knox County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Covers unincorporated Knox County. Incorporated municipalities such as Knoxville and Farragut use their own permit authorities.

Department

Codes Administration and Enforcement, Knox County Tennessee Government

Address

City County Building, Suite 547, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone

865-215-2325

Email

code.admin@knoxcounty.org

Website

https://www.knoxcounty.org/codes/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Gather required project documents, including one copy of plans with a site plan. Plans larger than 11x14 should be submitted in PDF if applying in person.
2. Obtain a certified address sheet from Knoxville-Knox Planning online or by contacting addressing@knoxplanning.org or 865-215-2507.
3. Obtain septic-related documentation if applicable: drainfield layout from the health department for dwellings on septic systems, or certification for additions or accessory buildings.
4. For commercial work, provide plans stamped by a State of Tennessee licensed architect or engineer.
5. Submit through the Knox Permit Portal or in person between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Online filers do not need to visit the office.
6. After review and payment, permit issuance is completed and inspections are coordinated through the county office and inspection lookup system.

Typical processing time: No public standard review-time estimate posted.

Source: Codes Administration and Enforcement, Knox County Tennessee Government

General Requirements

Knox County's Codes Administration handles construction permits for unincorporated areas. Permits are required for construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and regulated trade work in unincorporated Knox County unless exempt under the adopted code.

Required Documents

• Plans including a site plan
• PDF plan submission for larger plan sets if applying in person
• Certified address sheet from Knoxville-Knox Planning
• Commercial plans stamped by a Tennessee licensed architect or engineer
• Septic or health department documentation when applicable

Permit validity

Permit expiration rule not clearly stated in public pages. Fee schedule includes a $50 permit renewal fee.

Building code

2018 ICC code package effective November 19, 2018, including 2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IPMC, ICCPC, IEBC, IECC, IFC, IGCC, ISPSC, and 2018 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code

Owner-builder

Under T.C.A. 62-6-103, an owner may construct a single residence once every two years for their own use and not for resale, lease, or rent. The owner must not have applied for a homeowner permit in the prior two years, must perform the work except where properly licensed parties are required, and remains responsible for workers compensation and general liability issues. If a contractor is hired later, the permit will be voided and the contractor must apply for a new permit.

Contractor requirements

Confirm contractor licensing through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors license search at https://verify.tn.gov. Workers compensation exemption affidavits and other contractor documentation are available on the county codes site.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 building permit fee for valuation up to and including $2,000, plus a separate $25 technology access fee added to most permit types

Plan check fee

Residential and structures up to $75,000 valuation: $50. Over $75,000 to $500,000: $100. Over $500,000 to $1,000,000: $250. Over $1,000,000: $500. Gas service, tank installation, and tank removal: $50 each. $100 per revision after the second revision.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based: Up to $2,000: $50; Over $2,000 to $50,000: $50 for first $2,000 plus $5 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $50,000 to $100,000: $290 for first $50,000 plus $4 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $100,000 to $500,000: $490 for first $100,000 plus $3 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $500,000 to $1,000,000: $1,690 for first $500,000 plus $2 per additional thousand or fraction; Over $1,000,000: $2,690 for first $1,000,000 plus $1.50 per additional thousand or fraction

Trade permit fee

Included in general fee structure

Reinspection fee

$50 each. Inspection cancellation within 24 hours: $100 for first violation, $200 for each thereafter.

Penalty (no permit)

Work without permit: fee structure not separately published on the fee sheet

Payment note

MSBPay is the payment portal. A 2.50% convenience fee is charged on all credit card transactions by a third-party processor. The county does not receive any part of that fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 1, 2023).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures not over 200 square feet
• Fences
• 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
• 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 that meet the adopted IRC 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
• Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing items listed in 2018 IRC Section R105.2 as adopted by the county, subject to any local amendment

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 865-215-2325 (phone)
• Inspection lookup system (online)

Inspection hours

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

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection requirements vary by project and adopted code. County public pages do not provide one consolidated inspection-sequence checklist by permit type.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 ICC code package effective November 19, 2018, including 2018 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IPMC, ICCPC, IEBC, IECC, IFC, IGCC, ISPSC, and 2018 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
• Verify contractor license: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Permit Information
• Contact Us
• History of Codes
• IRC Amendments
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub