Morgan County, Tennessee Building Permit Guide

Morgan County has passed a resolution opting out of Tennessee’s residential building program, so the State issues no house permits in the unincorporated county, Wartburg or Oakdale. Inside Sunbright, a new home or an addition over 30 sq ft needs a state residential permit, $350 for $5,001 to $100,000 of construction. Electrical permits come from the State everywhere in the county, and septic permits from TDEC’s Knoxville office (865-594-6035).

Who handles Morgan County permits?

The State Fire Marshal’s jurisdiction table (August 2026) sorts Morgan County’s towns like this:

• Opted out of the state program: unincorporated Morgan County, Wartburg and Oakdale. Wartburg has a building inspector listed at City Hall, 407 Eliza Street (423-346-2323, open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.). Oakdale has a building inspector listed at Town Hall, 204 Queen Street (423-369-4400), which is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
• State Residential Building Program: Sunbright. The State Fire Marshal’s Office issues and inspects residential building permits inside city limits; City Hall is reached through the City Recorder at 423-346-3480.
• Exempt, with their own codes: Harriman and Oliver Springs. Only small edges of these cities lie in Morgan County; most of each is in neighbouring Roane and Anderson counties.

State permit fees in Sunbright

The State charges by the cost of construction, valued at no less than $60.57 per heated square foot: $350 for $5,001 to $100,000, $400 for $100,001 to $150,000 and $450 for $151,001 to $200,000, plus $100 for the plumbing and HVAC inspection on new construction. A 1,500 sq ft house counts as at least $90,855, so it falls in the $350 band and costs $450 with the plumbing and HVAC inspection. The fee includes all inspections and one re-inspection; later re-inspections are $100 each.

Electrical and septic permits

• Electrical: no part of Morgan County is on the state’s list of jurisdictions with their own electrical inspections, so every wiring job needs a State of Tennessee electrical permit, bought online in CORE or from a state issuing agent. Plateau Electric Cooperative in Wartburg (423-346-3699) is the agent listed for the county. A state deputy electrical inspector does the inspections.
• Septic: TDEC’s Knoxville Environmental Field Office, 3711 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, serves Morgan County (865-594-6035).
• Plumbing and HVAC in Sunbright: covered by a $100 inspection added to the state residential permit for new construction.

Inspections

In Sunbright, the permit holder requests each state inspection in CORE or by email to SFMO.permits-licensing@tn.gov: foundation before the pour, framing with the rough-ins, and final, plus plumbing and mechanical. The State inspects within three working days of the request, and within one working day for a footing. An owner may build one house for their own use every two years without a contractor’s licence. In the opted-out areas there is no state residential building inspection, but state electrical inspections apply everywhere.

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 Morgan County permitting resources

• Tennessee state residential-permit instructions
• Tennessee residential jurisdictions and inspectors
• State residential building permit fees
• Tennessee state electrical permits
• TDEC Knoxville Environmental Field Office (septic)

Morgan County permit FAQs

Do I need a state building permit to build a house in Morgan County, TN?

Only inside Sunbright. The county, Wartburg and Oakdale have opted out of the state residential program.

Who should I call in Wartburg about building?

Wartburg City Hall at 407 Eliza Street, 423-346-2323, where the city’s building inspector is listed.

Where do I buy an electrical permit?

From the State of Tennessee in CORE, or through Plateau Electric Cooperative in Wartburg.

How much is a state permit for a new house in Sunbright?

$350 for a home costing $5,001 to $100,000, $400 up to $150,000 and $450 up to $200,000, plus $100 for the plumbing and HVAC inspection.

Who issues septic permits in Morgan County?

TDEC’s Knoxville Environmental Field Office, 865-594-6035.

Simplify Morgan 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 Morgan County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.