Building permits are a standard requirement in all 50 states, including Tennessee, for commercial, residential, and industrial construction that goes beyond a DIY project.

Each state has its own nuanced regulations, so it is important to either familiarize yourself with local building laws or secure the services of a permit expedite such as Express Permits.

The State of Tennessee Standard Building Code is written to assist design professionals to prepare and submit their plans and specifications regardless of the size or scope of the project.

Tennessee requires not only permits but a licensed design professional in the following circumstances:

• Assembly occupancy. Buildings or structures for the gathering of 50 more people where civic, social, religious, recreation or food/drink consumption takes place.
• Business occupancy. Use of a building or structure that includes normal accessory storage and the keeping of records or accounts.
• Educational occupancy. Any building or structure that gathers individuals for the purpose of instruction.
• Factory-industrial occupancy. Any building or structure where assembling, dissembling, fabricating, etc., takes place. A separate permit is required for any building that houses flammable, combustible or explosive products.
• Institutional occupancy. A permit is required for this type of building whether individuals are restrained, provided medical care or sleeping facilities for four or more people.
• Mercantile occupancy. Any display or sale of merchandise is covered by this permit. A special permit is required for any building two or more stories in height that occupy 5,000 or more square feet.
• Residential occupancy. The use of a building or structure for sleeping accommodations not classified as institutional. This includes dwellings, hotels, motels, dormitories an the like.
• Storage occupancy. Any building or structure with the principle use of storage not classified as hazardous.

Other projects requiring just a permit include:

• One-family and two-family dwellings.
• Farm buildings not designed for human occupancy.
• Signs that do not exceed 20 feet or more above ground or 120 square feet in size.

Tennessee does reserve the right to require the services of a registered architect, engineer or landscape architect for any proposed project.

Additional building codes are required within metropolitan areas, specifically the Nashville Building Department - known locally as METRO - and Memphis. The most common Nashville building e-permits questions revolve around sheds and detached storage spaces.

The City of Knoxville building permits also bring their own requirements, so research is useful.

Real estate forms and documents can be through traditional paper means. Most also can be submitted electronically, including through Express Permits’ Express Recorder (in the counties listed below).

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