The DeKalb County Building Department, 1 South Public Square in Smithville, issues county building permits and inspects the work; permit questions go to 931-256-1524 (Wednesday to Friday) and the inspector to 615-215-2633 (Monday and Tuesday). New homes cost $0.75 per sq ft and commercial buildings $1.00, with inspections, up to 3 re-inspections and plan review included. Electrical permits come from the State, and the county has no countywide zoning.
What needs a DeKalb County building permit?
Permit required
- New single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes
- Residential additions and renovations
- New commercial buildings, additions, renovations and apartments
- Changes of occupancy or use
- Garages, sheds, barns or decks that are insulated, heated, cooled or occupied
No permit
- Detached garages, sheds, barns, decks and pole barns that are not occupied or conditioned
- Buildings used only for farm purposes may be exempt
Exempt structures must still meet the applicable building codes and any setback requirements.
Who issues building permits in DeKalb County?
The county Building Department at 1 South Public Square, Smithville, TN 37166, issues building permits and carries out inspections. It splits its week: the building inspector is available Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 615-215-2633 (615-215-CODE), and permitting and general questions are taken Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 931-256-1524. The fillable permit application gives the department’s email as dekalb.inspector@outlook.com. The county adopted the State of Tennessee building codes in January 2011.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →The State Fire Marshal’s table (August 21, 2026) gives each town in the county a different status, and the county’s page does not say whether it permits inside the towns:
| Place | Building permits |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated DeKalb County | DeKalb County Building Department |
| Smithville (city) | Exempt from the state program; City Hall, 104 East Main Street, issues city building permits, and its Zoning page refers callers to 615-597-4745 extension 2 for permit rates and fees |
| Alexandria (town) | State residential permit (state program) for one- and two-family homes and townhouses |
| Liberty (town) | State residential permit (state program) for one- and two-family homes and townhouses |
| Dowelltown (town) | Opted out of the state program; the published sources do not say who permits there, so ask town hall |
Electrical, septic and water
- Electrical: permits and inspections are handled by the State of Tennessee; no DeKalb County town runs its own electrical program, and permits are bought online in the State’s CORE system.
- Septic and groundwater: the county sends these questions to TDEC’s Cookeville Environmental Field Office (931-520-6688). A building permit application needs septic approval or proof of sewer service.
- Water: the application must show the potable water source, well or utility.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →DeKalb County permit fees
| Work | Fee |
|---|---|
| New residential construction | $0.75 per sq ft |
| New commercial construction | $1.00 per sq ft |
| Residential renovation | $0.35 per sq ft |
| Commercial renovation | $0.50 per sq ft |
The fee covers every required inspection, up to three re-inspections and plan review, so a 2,000 sq ft new house costs $1,500 in county fees. State electrical permit fees are separate.
What to submit
- Site plan showing boundaries, setbacks, driveway, and septic system or well
- Potable water source (well or utility)
- Septic approval or sewer verification
- Construction plans: floor plan, foundation, framing, and roof or truss layout
- Proof of property ownership
- Owner and contractor details, with the contractor’s licence and insurance where applicable
- For a change of occupancy or use, any further documents the department asks for
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Who may build: work valued over $25,000 must be done by a licensed contractor, judged against the national average construction cost at the time of permitting. A homeowner may build their own primary residence once every 2 years; the application includes a homeowner affidavit (not for sale, lease or rent, no construction manager) and a contractor affidavit for BC, BC-A and BC-B licence holders.
How to get a DeKalb County building permit
Inside Alexandria or Liberty a state residential permit applies to homes; Smithville issues its own permits at City Hall; for Dowelltown, ask the town first.
Contact TDEC’s Cookeville office for a septic permit, or confirm the sewer connection.
Show setbacks, the driveway and the septic or well, plus floor, foundation, framing and roof plans.
Send the fillable application to the Building Department (dekalb.inspector@outlook.com); questions go to 931-256-1524, Wednesday to Friday.
The electrician buys it from the State in CORE.
Phone the inspector on Monday or Tuesday (615-215-2633) before covering any work.
Rather not deal with the DeKalb County building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections and occupancy
Footing, framing, rough-in and final inspections may be required, and no work may be covered before it is inspected. Keep the approved plans and the permit on site; any change from the approved plans needs review and approval. The building may not be occupied until the county issues a Certificate of Use/Occupancy or a Certificate of Completion. A permit becomes void if substantial work has not started within six months of issue, or if work stops for six months. Appeals and complaints about the inspector go on the county’s Appeal/Complaint form.
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 DeKalb County permitting resources
- Tennessee state residential-permit instructions
- Tennessee residential jurisdictions and inspectors
- DeKalb County official zoning and planning information
- DeKalb County Building Department
- DeKalb County building permit application (PDF)
- DeKalb County building inspector appeal and complaint form (PDF)
- Tennessee electrical permit exempt jurisdictions
- TDEC Cookeville Environmental Field Office
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →DeKalb County permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in DeKalb County, TN?
The DeKalb County Building Department in Smithville, for unincorporated land. Alexandria and Liberty use the state residential permit for homes.
How much is a building permit for a new house in DeKalb County?
$0.75 per square foot, so $1,500 for a 2,000 sq ft house. Inspections, up to 3 re-inspections and plan review are included.
Do I need a permit for a shed or pole barn?
Not if it is detached and not occupied, insulated, heated or cooled. Once it is conditioned or occupied, it needs a permit.
Does DeKalb County have zoning?
No countywide zoning, though setback requirements can still apply.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Can a homeowner pull a permit?
Yes, for their own primary residence, once every 2 years, with the homeowner affidavit on the application. Work over $25,000 otherwise needs a licensed contractor.
When can I reach the building inspector?
Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 615-215-2633. Permit questions go to 931-256-1524, Wednesday to Friday.
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More Tennessee permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about DeKalb County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.