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Codes, exemptions & field inspections

Build to the adopted code. Verify every exception.

This guide translates the available agency record into a preconstruction checklist for structural scope, minor work, and inspection release. The adopted code and the issuing official control when a field condition is disputed.

Regulatory framework

The code baseline for Henry County.

Henry County states that unincorporated areas have no local zoning regulations and do not require building permits; commercial businesses must follow Tennessee State Fire Codes, electrical connections require State Electrical Inspector inspection, and septic installations require Health Department soil testing. For the municipal fallback, City of Paris lists the 2018 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Existing Building, Energy Conservation, and Property Maintenance Codes, plus 2018 NFPA Life Safety 101.

Inspection lane

For City of Paris projects, call Building & Codes at 731-641-1409 to schedule inspections; requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. the day before and are scheduled for the following business day. New construction generally has footing, slab/foundation, framing, and final inspections; remodels have pre-concealment and final inspections; mobile homes have footing and final inspections. Electrical work is inspected by the State, gas work requires a separate permit, and septic work requires Health Department soil testing. For unincorporated property, contact the County Mayor’s Office and relevant state inspectors before beginning work.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

In unincorporated Henry County, the official county page says building permits are not required and there is no county zoning. Commercial businesses remain subject to Tennessee State Fire Codes; electrical and septic requirements still apply. Within municipalities, exemptions and permit thresholds vary and must be confirmed with the applicable city; the City of Paris packet does not publish a consolidated cosmetic-exemption list.

Field rule

A permit exemption generally addresses one narrow construction trigger. It does not automatically waive zoning, land-use, floodplain, shoreline, fire, energy, electrical, utility, septic, or right-of-way requirements. Obtain written confirmation when the project involves a new structure, structural alteration, change in occupancy, or concealed work.

Inspection pipeline

Keep the work visible at every release point.

  1. 1

    Request with lead time

    For City of Paris projects, call Building & Codes at 731-641-1409 to schedule inspections; requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. the day before and are scheduled for the following business day. New construction generally has footing, slab/foundation, framing, and final inspections; remodels have pre-concealment and final inspections; mobile homes have footing and final inspections. Electrical work is inspected by the State, gas work requires a separate permit, and septic work requires Health Department soil testing. For unincorporated property, contact the County Mayor’s Office and relevant state inspectors before beginning work.

  2. 2

    Preserve access

    Do not cover framing, reinforcement, wiring, piping, damp-proofing, or life-safety work until the required inspection has been completed and documented.

  3. 3

    Close the record

    Retain the approved plans, inspection approvals, correction responses, and final certificate or occupancy release with the property file.

Contractor verification

Verify the builder before the contract is signed.

Use the state licensing system to verify active registration, trade credentials, bond status, and liability coverage where available. Match the legal business name to the proposal and permit application.

Verify contractor ↗

Planning reference

Keep the parcel rules beside the building plans.

A building permit is only one part of statutory compliance. Check the local zoning, ordinance, map, or land-use reference before finalizing setbacks, height, lot coverage, access, drainage, or accessory structure placement.

Open planning reference ↗

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.

Agency websiteOpen official source ↗Permit portalOpen official source ↗Application instructionsOpen official source ↗Fee scheduleOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Henry County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

This record is marked Municipal Fallback. Confirm whether a city, state agency, or other local authority controls the parcel 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 731-642-5212 (Henry County Mayor’s Office); 731-641-1402 (City of Paris Building & Codes); 731-642-1322 (Paris Board of Public Utilities).

How long might review take?

N/A countywide. City of Paris publishes next-business-day inspection scheduling when called by 3:00 p.m. the prior business day, but no general permit-review timeline.

How are inspections scheduled?

For City of Paris projects, call Building & Codes at 731-641-1409 to schedule inspections; requests must be made by 3:00 p.m. the day before and are scheduled for the following business day. New construction generally has footing, slab/foundation, framing, and final inspections; remodels have pre-concealment and final inspections; mobile homes have footing and final inspections. Electrical work is inspected by the State, gas work requires a separate permit, and septic work requires Health Department soil testing. For unincorporated property, contact the County Mayor’s Office and relevant state inspectors before beginning work.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Henry County states that unincorporated areas have no local zoning regulations and do not require building permits; commercial businesses must follow Tennessee State Fire Codes, electrical connections require State Electrical Inspector inspection, and septic installations require Health Department soil testing. For the municipal fallback, City of Paris lists the 2018 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Existing Building, Energy Conservation, and Property Maintenance Codes, plus 2018 NFPA Life Safety 101. In unincorporated Henry County, the official county page says building permits are not required and there is no county zoning. Commercial businesses remain subject to Tennessee State Fire Codes; electrical and septic requirements still apply. Within municipalities, exemptions and permit thresholds vary and must be confirmed with the applicable city; the City of Paris packet does not publish a consolidated cosmetic-exemption list.

Field sequencing matters

The inspector needs to see the work at the right moment.

Code compliance is not only a plan-review exercise. Footings, reinforcement, framing, fireblocking, wiring, piping, insulation, weather protection, and life-safety systems each have points where the work must remain accessible. Build the inspection calendar into the trade schedule instead of treating it as a final administrative step.

When a project qualifies for a narrow minor-work exemption, keep a written explanation of why it qualifies and confirm that related zoning, utility, fire, energy, or environmental rules do not create a separate approval requirement.

Closeout file

Keep the approved plan set, inspection approvals, correction responses, contractor license verification, final certificate, and any occupancy release together. A clean record protects the owner, builder, lender, insurer, and future buyer.