For a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, the county’s Planning Department in the J.P. Kennedy Building, 105 College Street South, Madisonville, is the listed contact (423-545-8276). The county has voted itself out of the state residential building program, so the State issues no house permits there, but electrical permits still come from the State and septic permits from TDEC. Madisonville, Sweetwater and Vonore enforce their own codes, and Tellico Plains uses the state program.
Who actually issues the permits?
The Monroe County Planning Department serves the county and also provides planning services to Madisonville, Sweetwater and Tellico Plains: it reviews subdivision plats and site plans, prepares zoning and subdivision amendments and staffs the planning commissions. Its county page lists 423-545-8276 for Monroe County building permits, and the department also holds the county’s flood regulations, floodplain development permit and mobile home and RV regulations. Planning services are supported by a planner from the East Tennessee Development District (865-273-6003, ext. 103).
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Location | State program status | Who issues building permits |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Monroe County | Opted out | Monroe County Planning Department, 423-545-8276 |
| Madisonville | Exempt (own code) | City Codes Enforcement office at City Hall, 400 College Street North (423-442-9416); apply through its Cloudpermit portal, fees follow the City’s valuation table, and inspections must be requested at least 48 hours ahead |
| Sweetwater | Exempt (own code) | City Planning and Development office, 423-337-9678, with residential and commercial permit applications and a contract building inspector |
| Vonore | Exempt (own code) | The town’s building inspector, 613 Church Street (423-261-5159) |
| Tellico Plains | State Residential Building Program | State Fire Marshal’s Office: state residential permit for new homes and additions over 30 sq ft; City Recorder 423-253-2333 |
Sweetwater and Vonore both extend into neighbouring counties, so check which county a lot is in as well as which town.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Electrical, septic, 911 and road approvals
- Electrical: no Monroe County jurisdiction appears on the state’s list of local electrical programs, so permits for wiring in the county and in all four towns are bought from the State of Tennessee and inspected by a state deputy inspector. Sweetwater Utilities Board (423-337-5081) is a state issuing agent.
- Septic: TDEC’s Knoxville Environmental Field Office issues septic system permits for Monroe County (865-594-6035).
- 911 address: Monroe County E-911, 423-442-9555.
- County roads: the Road Superintendent’s office, 423-442-4569.
- Floodplain: the county publishes its flood regulations and a floodplain development permit form through the Planning Department.
What permits cost
For the county building permit fee, call the Planning Department at 423-545-8276. In Tellico Plains the State’s schedule applies: a home valued at $5,001 to $100,000 is $350, $100,001 to $150,000 is $400 and $151,001 to $200,000 is $450, with $100 added for the plumbing and HVAC inspection on new construction. The State uses a construction value of at least $60.57 per heated square foot, and after one free re-inspection each further visit is $100.
Inspections in Monroe County
Because the county has opted out, the State Fire Marshal does not carry out residential building inspections in unincorporated Monroe County; state electrical inspections still apply. In Sweetwater, inspections are booked with the city’s building inspection service on 423-261-5159, and the city publishes separate residential and commercial inspection guides. Tellico Plains homes are inspected by a state deputy inspector, requested through the State’s CORE system.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Planning and subdivision in Monroe County
The nine-member Monroe County Regional Planning Commission meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the boardroom of the Monroe County Courthouse, 105 College Street South, Madisonville. Preliminary and final subdivision plats use the commission’s own application forms and certification forms. Madisonville, Sweetwater, Vonore and Tellico Plains each have their own planning commission, and Sweetwater also has a Historic Zoning Commission and an urban growth boundary that reaches into Monroe County. The county’s airport height ordinance limits the height of objects around the Monroe County Airport.
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 Monroe County building department?
Get a free quote →Monroe County permit search and official resources
- Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office
- Tennessee Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors
- Monroe County government
- Monroe County Planning Department
- Monroe County Regional Planning Commission and forms
- Monroe County floodplain development permit (PDF)
- City of Sweetwater Planning and Development
- Tennessee state electrical permits
- TDEC Knoxville Environmental Field Office (septic)
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Monroe County permit FAQs
Who do I call for a building permit in Monroe County, TN?
The Monroe County Planning Department, 423-545-8276, for land outside the towns. Inside Madisonville, Sweetwater or Vonore, go to the town.
Does the State issue house permits in Monroe County?
Only inside Tellico Plains. The county has opted out of the state residential building program, and the other three towns enforce their own codes.
Where do I get an electrical permit?
From the State of Tennessee, for every part of the county.
Who issues septic permits?
TDEC’s Knoxville Environmental Field Office, 865-594-6035.
When does the county planning commission meet?
On the first Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the courthouse boardroom in Madisonville.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Simplify Monroe 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 Monroe County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Monroe County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Tennessee permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Monroe County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.