Humphreys County has opted out of Tennessee’s residential building program and does not issue a general building permit, but because it takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program, any construction, fill or grading near a flood zone needs a county permit from the County Executive’s Office, 102 Thompson Street, Waverly (931-296-7795) before work starts. In Waverly, the city Codes Department issues building permits.
Who issues permits in Humphreys County?
The county runs no building inspection department. Its permit role is floodplain management: the County Executive’s Office in Room 1 of the Rawlings Building, 102 Thompson Street, Waverly (weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), tells owners whether a property lies in a flood zone and takes floodplain permit applications. Land division goes to the Humphreys County Planning Commission. The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) lists the county as having opted out of its residential building program.
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Get a free quote →| Area | Who permits building |
|---|---|
| Waverly | City of Waverly Codes Department at City Hall, 101 East Main Street; it issues building permits, manages the city floodplain and inspects construction. Inspections: 931-296-2101 ext. 359 |
| McEwen | Exempt from the state program; McEwen publishes its zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations but no building permit information, so ask City Hall, 9586 Hwy 70 E (931-582-6211) |
| New Johnsonville | Opted out of the state program, but the city issues its own building permit: its Planning & Zoning page posts the application and takes permit questions at City Hall, 323 Long Street (931-535-2715). Application fees are $200 for a new house, $400 for new commercial construction, $100 for a residential addition and $50 for a residential outbuilding, carport or detached garage, and the Planning Commission must then approve the permit |
| Unincorporated county | No county building permit; a county floodplain permit for development near a flood zone, and a state residential permit only if the owner asks for state inspections |
Electrical, plumbing and septic
- Electrical: no Humphreys County jurisdiction is on the state’s list of places outside the State Electrical Program, and the state names no issuing agent in the county, so electrical permits are State of Tennessee permits bought in CORE. Waverly’s own FAQ tells residents to get any electrical permit through the power company serving their area.
- Plumbing in Waverly: the city prices its building permits partly on the number of plumbing fixtures.
- Septic: Humphreys County is served by TDEC’s Nashville Environmental Field Office, 711 R.S. Gass Blvd, Nashville (615-687-7000).
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Get a free quote →Fees in Humphreys County
| Subdivision | Fee |
|---|---|
| Minor subdivision, 1 to 3 lots | $250 |
| Major subdivision, 4 or more lots | $400 plus $25 per lot |
Plat fees are paid when the plat is submitted and are not refunded; a 10-lot major subdivision pays $650. The county pages do not list a floodplain permit fee. Waverly sets its building permit fee from the square footage or construction cost and the number of plumbing fixtures.
An owner in the opt-out area who wants state inspections pays the SFMO fee, based on construction cost counted at no less than $60.57 per heated square foot: $350 from $5,001 to $100,000, $400 from $100,001 to $150,000, then $50 more per further $50,000, plus $100 for the plumbing and HVAC inspection on new construction.
Inspections and approvals
Waverly: call City Hall at 931-296-2101, extension 359, for the Building and Codes Department to request an inspection. For a permit, bring a set of building plans and plot plans; for small jobs a sketch can be enough. Above-ground and in-ground pools need a permit before any work, and the city requires a 48-inch clearance around a pool.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Floodplain permits: get the county permit before any construction, fill or grading near a flood zone. The county warns that skipping it can bring delays, penalties or loss of compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program.
Voluntary state inspection: since 2017 owners of one- and two-family homes in opt-out areas can buy a state permit to have the SFMO inspect new construction or additions and issue a Certificate of Occupancy, which some lenders and loan programs require. Inspections are requested in CORE by the permit holder, and the state has three working days to make them.
Planning Commission and subdivisions
The Humphreys County Planning Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Rawlings Building, or the Tuesday after if the Monday is a holiday, with no meeting in December. Plats are due three Fridays before the meeting. In Waverly, the Codes Department prepares Planning Commission agendas and schedules Board of Zoning Appeals hearings. The County Commission meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Rawlings Building board room.
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
Rather not deal with the Humphreys County building department?
Get a free quote →Official Humphreys County permitting resources
- Tennessee state residential-permit instructions
- Tennessee residential jurisdictions and inspectors
- Humphreys County Planning Commission and subdivision procedures
- Humphreys County floodplain permit notice
- Humphreys County Subdivision Regulations (PDF)
- City of Waverly Codes & Inspection
- City of Waverly FAQs (permits and inspections)
- SFMO inspections in opt-out jurisdictions
- State electrical permits (CORE)
- TDEC Nashville Environmental Field Office
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Get a free quote →Humphreys County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit in rural Humphreys County?
No general building permit is issued, because the county has opted out of the state residential program. Work near a flood zone still needs a county floodplain permit first.
How do I find out if my land is in a flood zone?
Contact the County Executive’s Office at 931-296-7795 or visit 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, during business hours.
Who issues building permits in Waverly?
The City of Waverly Codes Department at City Hall, 101 East Main Street. Inspections are requested at 931-296-2101, extension 359.
How much does it cost to subdivide land in Humphreys County?
$250 for one to three lots, or $400 plus $25 per lot for four or more, paid when the plat is submitted.
Do I need a permit for a pool in Waverly?
Yes. Above-ground and in-ground pools both need a city permit before work begins.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Where do I get an electrical permit?
Electrical permits in Humphreys County are State of Tennessee permits, sold online in CORE.
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More Tennessee permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Humphreys County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.