Washington County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Covers the rural, unincorporated areas of Washington County. Incorporated Johnson City and Jonesborough handle their own city permitting. County page states the office was created to regulate zoning in the rural, unincorporated areas of the county.

Department

Washington County Zoning, Planning & Building Codes - Codes Compliance

Address

100 E Main Street, Suite 103, Jonesborough, TN 37659

Phone

423-753-1753; Chief Building Official Scott Chapman direct line 423-753-2062

Email

zoning@washingtoncountytn.org

Website

https://www.washingtoncountytn.org/172/Zoning-Planning-Building-Codes and https://www.washingtoncountytn.org/173/Codes-Compliance

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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

General Requirements

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.

Required Documents

• Residential permit or zoning compliance application
• Owner and contractor information
• Valuation
• Lot and subdivision details
• Property email if desired
• Plot plan, aerial, or diagram identifying improvements, setbacks, and public road access
• Zoning district and setback data
• Floodplain data if applicable
• Driveway permit number when applicable
• Utility or septic information

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.

Building code

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

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.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$40 minimum inspection fee; $75 residential zoning compliance permit for accessory structures under 200 square feet and decks under 200 square feet; $225 for building permits at $1,000 valuation or less

Plan check fee

No separate general building plan check fee was posted on the county fee page. The county instead posts planning and review fees such as site plan review at $300 and other zoning review charges.

Permit fee formula

Building permits are valuation-based. $1,000 or less is $225; $1,001 to $50,000 is $275 plus $5 per additional $1,000; $50,001 to $100,000 is $395 plus $4 per additional $1,000; $100,001 to $500,000 is $595 plus $3 per additional $1,000; $500,001 and up is $1,795 plus $2 per additional $1,000. Commercial zoning compliance permits are separately tiered, and county notes ICC Building Valuation Data is the minimum valuation basis.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fee is $40.

Penalty (no permit)

Starting work before obtaining the necessary building permit subjects the applicant to a 100% penalty in addition to the required fee, unless the listed emergency exception criteria are met.

Payment note

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. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Washington County Zoning, Planning & Building Codes - Codes Compliance to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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

Additional Resources

• Building code: Washington County states it adopted and is enforcing the 2018 International Residential Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Floodplain Management
• Stormwater
• Residential Building Codes
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub