Administrative overview · FIPS 47047
Fayette County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Fayette County Planning and Development Office
For a project in or near Fayette County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
901-465-5250
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
16265 Highway 64, Somerville, TN 38068
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; financial transactions accepted until 3:30 p.m.
Review expectation
Applications are reviewed within 20 business days after the application is complete.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
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
Frequently asked questions for Fayette County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Fayette County Planning and Development Office is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 901-465-5250.
How long might review take?
Applications are reviewed within 20 business days after the application is complete.
How are inspections scheduled?
Submit a complete application and supporting plans through the Fayette County iWorQ portal; the portal provides permit-record search and inspection-request access and asks contractors to have their access code ready. Applications are reviewed within 20 business days after full completion. Contact Planning and Development at 901-465-5250 for inspection requirements and scheduling.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Fayette County’s current iWorQ resources publish guidance on significant changes to the 2018 International Codes. The county administers building permits under its adopted building and zoning requirements; electrical permits are obtained from the applicable service provider. Confirm the exact code edition/amendments for the project with Planning and Development. A building permit is required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, improvement, removal, conversion, or demolition of any building or structure. The published county guidance states that additions and accessory buildings require permits; limited sign exceptions appear in the zoning materials, but no broad minor/cosmetic exemption list is published.