Permitting and Planning Services in Knoxville, TN

You start by confirming which office has jurisdiction over your property address, then prepare your application, project valuation, construction documents, and site plan before submitting through the correct portal. Nest Construction LLC handles these steps for clients across Knoxville and the surrounding area.

Most structural, mechanical, and exterior renovation work in Knoxville requires a permit, including moving walls, adding electrical circuits, or changing plumbing layouts. Purely cosmetic work like painting or replacing flooring generally does not require one.

A shed or detached accessory structure typically requires a permit in Knox County and the City of Knoxville if it meets certain size thresholds or involves a foundation. Confirming the requirement with the correct jurisdiction before you build protects you from code violations.

For projects inside Knoxville city limits, you can look up your permit status through the Accela Citizen Access portal at permits.knoxvilletn.gov using your plans review number, or call Plans Review and Inspections at 865-215-4311. Knox County applicants can use the Knox Permit Portal at knoxcounty.org/codes to view inspection results and scheduled inspections.

City of Knoxville inspections can be scheduled through the online permitting portal or by calling 865-215-4311 during business hours. Knox County inspection scheduling is available through the Knox Permit Portal on the Knox County Codes Administration website.

Your permit jurisdiction depends on whether your property sits inside Knoxville city limits, inside the Town of Farragut, or in unincorporated Knox County, and each office enforces a different edition of the building code. Many addresses that carry a Knoxville mailing address are actually served by Knox County Codes Administration, so confirming your parcel's location before filing prevents delays.