Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
931-710-5727
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
This record is marked Municipal Fallback. Confirm whether a city, state agency, or other local authority controls the parcel before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 931-710-5727.
Mechanical, HVAC, gas-line and plumbing applications are stated to be reviewed within 2-3 business days. No separate building-plan review timeline was published.
The permit holder must coordinate and schedule inspections in the required order through the iWorQ portal, by email at codes@cumberlandcountytn.gov, or by phone at 931-710-5727. Required stages include footing, slab, foundation, rough-ins, energy and final; a Certificate of Occupancy is required before occupancy. No inspection is scheduled without a permit. A $100 reinspection fee applies after two failed inspections per job site.
Effective January 1, 2024: 2018 IRC for residential construction; 2018 IBC, IFC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC and NFPA 101 for commercial construction, with county amendments. The county’s adopted resolution retains selected 2009 IECC/IRC energy provisions and excludes residential electrical chapters; electrical permits/inspections are state-administered. Agricultural buildings are exempt from permits. Accessory buildings, garages and decks that are not part of new residential construction are also exempt under the county’s adopted building-code resolution. Confirm scope-specific exemptions with Codes before starting work.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.