For building permits in unincorporated Crockett County, the county directs applicants to the County Clerk’s office (731-696-5452) at 10 South Bells Street, Alamo. Before most new buildings go up, the county’s Zoning Compliance Officer must also issue a zoning compliance permit, which needs written water and sewage approval first. Alamo, Bells, Friendship, Gadsden and Maury City are also exempt from the state home permit program, so start with the town hall there; electrical permits come from the State.
What needs a permit in unincorporated Crockett County?
Under the county Zoning Resolution (updated September 20, 2022), nobody may start excavating for a building in a residential, commercial or industrial district until the Zoning Compliance Officer has issued a permit. The same applies to:
Zoning compliance permit
- New buildings in residential, commercial and industrial districts, accessory buildings included
- Multi-family, townhouse and mobile home park developments
- Moving or altering a building in a commercial or industrial district
- Temporary buildings and uses
- Uses permitted on appeal
- Certificates of occupancy
Outside the zoning permit
- Agricultural buildings on land used for farming
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Who issues building permits in Crockett County?
The county’s County Permits page sends anyone seeking a building permit to the County Clerk’s office (731-696-5452). County government is at 10 South Bells Street, Alamo, TN 38001, open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (main line 731-696-5460). The Zoning Compliance Officer, appointed by the County Commission, issues zoning compliance permits and certificates of occupancy and can inspect buildings to enforce the Zoning Resolution; site plans go to the Crockett County Regional Planning Commission.
The State Fire Marshal lists the county and all five towns as exempt from the state residential building program, so no state home permit is sold for any part of the county. The county’s published pages do not say whether the towns run their own inspections or use another office, so ask the town hall:
| Place | Who to ask |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated Crockett County | County Clerk’s office, 731-696-5452; zoning permits from the Zoning Compliance Officer |
| Alamo (town) | City Hall, 97 S Johnson St., 731-696-4515 |
| Bells (city) | City Hall, 12975 Highway 79, 731-663-2334 |
| Friendship (city) | City Hall, 631 Main St., 731-677-2396 |
| Gadsden (town) | City Hall, 229 High St., 731-784-2235 |
| Maury City (town) | City Hall, 332 N Broadway St., 731-656-2119 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Electrical and septic permits
- Electrical: no Crockett County jurisdiction is on the State Fire Marshal’s list of places that run their own electrical program, so electrical permits are state permits. No local issuing agent is listed for the county; permits are bought online in the State’s CORE system, which is also used to request the state inspection.
- Water and sewage: the Zoning Resolution bars a zoning compliance permit until the Zoning Compliance Officer has written approval of the water supply and sewage disposal. Septic permits in Crockett County are handled by TDEC’s Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive, Jackson (731-512-1300).
Crockett County permit fees
The Zoning Resolution leaves the zoning compliance permit processing fee to the County Commission, and an appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals carries a fee to cover publishing the hearing notice. The County Clerk’s office (731-696-5452) quotes the building permit amount. A state electrical permit is paid to the State in CORE.
What the zoning permit application needs
- A dimensional sketch or scale plan showing the shape, size, height and position on the lot of every building to be built, altered or moved, and of any building already there
- The existing and intended use of each building
- Written approval of the water supply and sewage disposal
- Where the Resolution requires one, a site plan stamped by a licensed engineer or surveyor, approved by the Regional Planning Commission (or by the Board of Zoning Appeals for a use permitted on appeal); approval lasts one year
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Zoning districts and setbacks
| District | Minimum lot and setbacks (front / rear / side) |
|---|---|
| FAR Forestry, Agriculture, Residential | 1 acre; 35 / 30 / 15 ft; homes and mobile homes allowed |
| R Residential | 1 acre; 35 / 25 / 15 ft; one principal building, no mobile homes |
| R-MH Residential Mobile Home | Lot size varies with density; 35 / 25 / 20 ft; site plan review |
| C-1 Local Commercial | 1 acre; 45 / 30 / 20 ft; site plan review |
| C-2 General Commercial | 1 acre; 50 / 25 / 10 ft |
| I Industrial | 1 acre; 50 / 30 / 20 ft |
| FH Flood Hazard | Areas on the county flood hazard boundary maps of January 12, 1979 |
Accessory buildings must stand at least 10 feet from the main building and 5 feet from any property line, and outside the FAR district they cannot sit closer to the front lot line than the house.
Rather not deal with the Crockett County building department?
Get a free quote →Permit life and enforcement
A zoning compliance permit becomes void 6 months after issue unless substantial progress has been made. A temporary building permit for construction materials or a sales office lasts up to 6 months and can be renewed no more than three times in a row. Violating the Zoning Resolution is a misdemeanor, and each day it continues counts as a separate offense.
Tennessee statewide rules
Tennessee licenses contractors through the Board for Licensing Contractors for jobs of $25,000 or more; a Home Improvement licence applies below that only in the nine counties that opted in. Tennessee rules
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Crockett County government resources
- Tennessee state residential permit instructions
- Tennessee residential jurisdictions and inspectors
- Crockett County government information
- Crockett County permits and zoning
- Crockett County Zoning Resolution (PDF)
- Crockett County zoning map (PDF)
- Crockett County municipalities and town halls
- Tennessee electrical permit exempt jurisdictions
- TDEC Jackson Environmental Field Office
Crockett County permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Crockett County, TN?
For unincorporated land, the county sends applicants to the County Clerk’s office in Alamo (731-696-5452). The Zoning Compliance Officer issues the separate zoning compliance permit.
Do I need a permit to build in Alamo or Bells?
The towns are exempt from the state home permit program, so ask the town hall: Alamo 731-696-4515, Bells 731-663-2334.
Do farm buildings need a zoning permit?
No. The Zoning Resolution does not require zoning compliance permits for agricultural buildings on land used for farming.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How big must a lot be for a new house?
At least 1 acre in the FAR and R districts, with 35-foot front setbacks.
Where do I get an electrical permit?
From the State of Tennessee, online through CORE.
How long is a zoning compliance permit good for?
Six months, unless substantial progress has been made on the project by then.
Simplify Crockett County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Tennessee. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Crockett County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Crockett County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Tennessee permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Crockett County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.