Decatur County, Tennessee Building Permit Guide

Decatur County has passed a resolution opting out of Tennessee’s residential building program, and the county’s department directory lists no building or codes office. Decaturville, Parsons and Scotts Hill take part in the state program instead: a new home or an addition over 30 sq ft there needs a state residential permit, bought online in CORE. Everywhere in the county, electrical work needs a state permit, which Fred’s of Parsons (Ace Hardware, 731-847-4030) sells as an issuing agent.

Who issues building permits in Decatur County?

The State Fire Marshal’s table (August 21, 2026) lists Decatur County as having passed a resolution opting out of the state residential building program. The county’s own department directory names no building inspector or codes office; the County Clerk (22 W. Main Street, Decaturville, 731-852-3417) handles titles, licences, business tax and beer permits, not construction permits. In the three towns the state program applies to one- and two-family homes and townhouses:

The state table lists only home construction. Parsons states on its zoning page that the city also requires its own building permit, a zoning permit and inspections, and its Schedule of Fees (July 2026) sets the zoning compliance permit at $50, a site plan review at $50 and a rezoning at $150. Decaturville and Scotts Hill name no local building office, so ask town hall there about commercial buildings and other work outside the state program.

What the state residential permit covers in the towns

Electrical, septic, address and floodplain

• Electrical: no Decatur County town is on the list of places with their own electrical program, so state electrical permits apply everywhere in the county. Fred’s of Parsons, doing business as Ace Hardware, is the county’s state issuing agent and takes permit requests by phone (731-847-4030) and email; permits can also be bought in CORE.
• Septic: TDEC’s Jackson Environmental Field Office, 1625 Hollywood Drive, Jackson (731-512-1300), serves Decatur County.
• 911 address: apply to the Decatur County Emergency Communications District, 21 S. South Street, Decaturville (731-852-3911, decaturcounty911@gmail.com). Send a map of the site, roads, driveway and neighboring buildings and mark the driveway location on the ground; requests take at least 5 days.
• Floodplain: if the lot is in a floodplain, the address form requires a permit from the county EMA/Floodplain office, 403 W Highland St., Decaturville (731-852-2131, option 7 then option 4), before an address is issued, and the address is not valid without that permit.

Permit fees in Decatur County

The county posts no building permit fee, so the published costs are state ones. In the three towns, the state residential permit fee is set by the State Fire Marshal’s fee table from the estimated construction cost and paid in CORE or to an issuing agent; electrical permits are priced on the State’s electrical fee schedule across the county.

Inspections

In Decaturville, Parsons and Scotts Hill, state-contracted inspectors check the foundation before it is poured, the framing and rough-in, and the final, with plumbing and mechanical work looked at during rough-in and final; inspections are requested in CORE. In unincorporated Decatur County, the owner of a one- or two-family home may still buy a state building permit and ask the State Fire Marshal’s Office to inspect it. If the house meets the state standards, the State releases a Certificate of Occupancy, which some lenders require (questions: 615-741-7170).

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

Official Decatur County government resources

• Tennessee state residential permit instructions
• Tennessee residential jurisdictions and inspectors
• Decatur County government information
• Decatur County Tennessee official department directory
• State inspections in opt-out jurisdictions
• Tennessee electrical permit issuing agents
• Decatur County application for new address (PDF)
• TDEC Jackson Environmental Field Office

Decatur County permit FAQs

Do I need a building permit for a house in rural Decatur County, TN?

The state home permit does not apply, because the county opted out, and the county’s directory lists no building permit office. You still need a state electrical permit, a septic permit for an on-site system, a 911 address and, in a floodplain, the county floodplain permit.

Who issues building permits in Parsons, Decaturville and Scotts Hill?

For one- and two-family homes and townhouses, the State of Tennessee, through its residential permit program in CORE. Parsons adds its own city building permit and a $50 zoning compliance permit.

Where can I buy an electrical permit in Decatur County?

From Fred’s of Parsons (Ace Hardware), the state issuing agent, by phone at 731-847-4030 or by email, or online in CORE.

Can I get a certificate of occupancy for a house in an opt-out area?

Yes. Buy a state building permit and ask the State Fire Marshal’s Office to inspect; it issues a CO if the house meets state standards.

How long does a new 911 address take?

At least 5 days, and a floodplain lot needs its floodplain permit first.

Simplify Decatur 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.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Decatur County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.