Administrative overview · FIPS 47179
Washington 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
Washington County Zoning, Planning & Building Codes Office
For a project in or near Washington 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
423-753-1753 (Zoning & Planning); 423-753-2062 (Chief Building Official Scott Chapman); 423-753-1852 (Planning Director Angie Charles); 423-753-1714 (Highway driveway permits)
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Washington County Zoning & Planning, 100 E. Main Street, Suite 103, Jonesborough, TN 37659; mailing address P.O. Box 417, Jonesborough, TN 37659
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Review expectation
Next-day inspection service is available for requests made before 3:00 p.m. the prior day; the county does not publish a general plan-review timeline.
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 Washington County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Washington County Zoning, Planning & Building Codes 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 423-753-1753 (Zoning & Planning); 423-753-2062 (Chief Building Official Scott Chapman); 423-753-1852 (Planning Director Angie Charles); 423-753-1714 (Highway driveway permits).
How long might review take?
Next-day inspection service is available for requests made before 3:00 p.m. the prior day; the county does not publish a general plan-review timeline.
How are inspections scheduled?
Submit the application and required septic and driveway documentation; typical new residential construction does not require plans according to the county FAQ. All inspections must be scheduled by 3:00 p.m. the prior day by calling 423-753-1753; the county addendum says next-day site service is available when requested before 3:00 p.m. The applicant must call for required inspections and final approval, and permits become invalid if work does not start or inspections are not requested for 180 days.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Washington County adopted the 2018 International Residential Code for residential dwellings. The county zoning office also administers stormwater, floodplain, zoning, planning, and other building-code requirements; its public page does not identify a separate current commercial code edition. Permits are required for constructing buildings or structures, pools, decks, additions, renovations, manufactured housing, and grading. The county’s published materials do not list a broad cosmetic-repair exemption. Accessory structures and decks under 200 square feet use a residential zoning-compliance permit and fee rather than the full building-permit fee schedule; confirm whether a particular minor repair is exempt before work begins. Fencing is not regulated by Zoning & Building Codes according to the county FAQ.