Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.05 - PERMITS

(1) No construction of a one (1) or two (2) family dwelling or townhouse shall be started without securing a building permit from an issuing agent authorized by the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, except in an exempt jurisdiction or in the unincorporated areas of a county or in a municipality that have opted out of these provisions. A separate permit shall be required for each unit of a townhouse. Issuing agents shall receive no more than fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each issued permit. This fifteen-dollar ($15.00) fee shall be remitted from the applicable permit fee for inspection referenced in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.08.

(2) No construction of an addition to a one (1) or two (2) family dwelling or townhouse of thirty (30) square feet or more of interior space shall be started without securing a building permit from an issuing agent authorized by the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, except in an exempt jurisdiction or in the unincorporated areas of a county or in a municipality that have opted out of these provisions. Issuing agents shall receive no more than fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each issued permit. This fifteen-dollar ($15.00) fee shall be remitted from the applicable permit fee for inspection referenced in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.08.

(3) A property owner's permit shall automatically expire upon completion of the work for which the permit was issued. All work done under such permit shall be subject to regular inspection requirements and fees and other applicable laws and regulations. Pursuant to T.C.A. § 62-6-103, an individual may obtain only one (1) property owner's permit within a twenty-four (24) month period.

(4)

(a) When applying for a permit, an applicant shall complete a form prescribed by the Department containing at least the following information:

1. The location where the work will be performed, including street address, if available;

2. A description of the work to be performed;

3. The use and occupancy of the structure;

4. The valuation of the project;

5. The square footage of the construction;

6. The signature of the applicant; and

7. If applicable, a copy of the form issued by the appropriate municipal or county official stating the estimated tax liability if required by T.C.A. § 67-4-2910(a)(1).

(b) When applying for a permit, an applicant shall present:

1. Payment in an acceptable form in the amount of the permit fee; and

2. Licensure pursuant to T.C.A. Title 62, Chapter 6 (proof of licensure is not required for a property owner purchasing the permit when the property owner is performing the work).

(c) When applying for a permit, an applicant shall certify and have proof available, if requested, of:

1. Availability of public sewer or a septic permit; and

2. Any license or permit required by state law or local ordinance.

(5) All building permits are non-transferable.

(6) In the event more than one (1) rejection is issued during the building inspection process, an additional inspection permit shall be obtained for each subsequent rejection.

(7)

(a) A building permit shall be void if the authorized work is not commenced within one hundred eighty (180) days after its issuance. If the work authorized by a permit is commenced and then suspended or abandoned for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days, a building permit shall be void. The Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or designee, is authorized to grant one (1) or more extensions of time, for a period of not more than one hundred eighty (180) days each. All extensions shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

(b) Every building permit shall expire two (2) years from the date of issue or upon the issuance of the certificate of occupancy unless:

1. The Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or designee, determines that substantial progress has been made in the work authorized by the permit; and

2. The permit holder is granted an exception or extension after submitting a written request to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or designee.

(c) No construction work for which a permit is required shall be commenced in any building or premises until a permit to perform such work is obtained.

(8) The original permit, along with any other required state or local permit, shall be placed on site and shall be readily available for inspection. Upon completion of a request form prescribed by the Department, a duplicate original permit may be obtained for a fee of ten dollars ($10.00) in the event of the loss or destruction of the original permit.

(9) It shall be the responsibility of all persons performing work on the site to comply with the required codes and standards.

(10) The issuance of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or of any state law or regulation or any ordinance of the local jurisdiction. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this chapter, any state law or regulation or any ordinance of the local jurisdiction shall not be valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents or other data shall not prevent the Division from requiring the correction of errors in the construction documents or other data. The Division is also authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure where there is a violation of the chapter or any state law or regulation.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.05

Original rule filed March 29, 2010; effective June 27, 2010. Amendments filed November 4, 2016; effective February 2, 2017. Amendments filed April 17, 2020; effective July 16, 2020. Amendments filed November 27, 2023; effective 2/25/2024.

Authority: T.C.A. § 68-120-101(a), (b), and (d).