Overton County, Tennessee Building Permit Guide

Overton County itself issues no building permits and has no building codes or zoning outside Livingston, its only town. Inside Livingston, the town’s Building and Zoning office at City Hall (931-823-1269) issues building, plumbing, mechanical, roof and deck permits, charging 0.5% of the project cost for a building permit. Electrical permits everywhere in the county come from the State of Tennessee.

Which projects need a permit in Overton County?

The State Fire Marshal’s list dated August 21, 2026 shows Overton County as having opted out of the state residential building program and Livingston as exempt because it enforces its own codes.

Who handles permits in Overton County?

Livingston’s application forms call the permitting office the Department of Codes, and the town’s Planning Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m.

Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits

Electrical: no Overton County location is exempt from the state electrical program, so the county page sends all electrical permits to the State of Tennessee. Buy the permit online in CORE, or call City Electric Supply in Cookeville at 931-526-7788. The state’s deputy electrical inspector is booked in CORE or at 615-741-7170, quoting the permit number.

Plumbing and mechanical in Livingston: the town has separate plumbing and mechanical permit applications. The plumbing form lists each fixture, and the mechanical form asks for the heating load, equipment tonnage and gas piping BTU loads, with a copy of the HVAC load calculations. Both forms note that water heaters or boilers of 100,000 BTU or more require a state permit. The contractor’s state licence number, and a special plumber’s licence number where one applies, go on the form.

Outside Livingston: the county has no plumbing or mechanical permit.

Permit fees in Overton County and Livingston

Unincorporated county: there is no county building permit, so there is no county fee. State electrical and septic permits carry the state’s own charges.

Livingston: the town code sets building permit fees at one-half of one percent of the total project cost, under both its building code and its residential code, and the building-code section says this covers building, renovating, demolition and moving. A $300,000 house would therefore pay $1,500. The town’s fuel gas code charges $25 per residential gas inspection and $100 for commercial and industrial work. Its mechanical code amendment inserts a one percent figure into the mechanical fee section.

State permit by choice: an owner in the unincorporated county who wants inspections can buy a state residential building permit, priced on construction cost under the State Fire Marshal’s fee table.

Inspections in Overton County

Livingston: give the permit number when you call City Hall for an inspection; the town will not schedule a request without it. The plumbing permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days or stops for 180 days, and a demolition permit lapses after 6 months on the same basis.

Unincorporated county: the county does not inspect construction. Because the county has opted out, a homeowner or contractor may buy a state building permit for a new house or addition; state inspectors then check the foundation, the framing and rough-ins and the final, and a house that passes gets a state certificate of occupancy, which some loan programs ask for. Questions go to 615-741-7170.

Local details for Overton County

Livingston setbacks: the building permit includes a signed setback affidavit. Setbacks are measured from the property line or street right-of-way, not the edge of pavement, and any part of a building found inside a setback must be removed.

Livingston deck permits: include a plot plan drawn to scale that shows the deck in relation to the property lines and the house, and plans showing its design, dimensions and materials.

Demolition in Livingston: the city permit needs an asbestos letter or an asbestos report first (TDEC Air Pollution Control, 615-532-6828), and every utility serving the building must be disconnected and capped first.

Livingston codes: the town code on its website adopts the 2012 editions of the International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Fuel Gas and Mechanical Codes.

Septic permits: TDEC’s Cookeville field office, 1844 Foreman Drive, Suite 101, Cookeville, serves Overton County, (931) 520-6688.

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 Overton County permitting resources

County, town and state pages behind this guide:

• Tennessee state residential-permit instructions
• Tennessee residential jurisdictions and inspectors
• Overton County official permits and zoning notice
• Livingston services and permit forms
• Livingston building permit application
• Livingston municipal code (Title 12: building codes and fees)
• State electrical permits (CORE)
• State inspections in opt-out counties
• TDEC Cookeville field office (septic)

Overton County permit FAQs

Do I need a building permit in Overton County, TN?

Not outside Livingston. The county says building permits are not required and it has no building codes or zoning there. Electrical and septic work still need state permits.

How do I get a building permit in Livingston?

Fill in the town’s building permit application and contractor information form, print them and take them to City Hall at 301 McHenry Circle, with a 911 address from Overton/Pickett E-911.

How much does a Livingston building permit cost?

One-half of one percent of the total project cost, so $500 for a $100,000 project.

Where do I get an electrical permit in Overton County?

From the State of Tennessee, online through CORE or through City Electric Supply in Cookeville (931-526-7788).

Does Livingston require a permit for a new roof or a deck?

Yes. The town publishes separate roof and deck permit applications; the deck application needs a scaled plot plan and deck plans.

Can I get a house inspected in rural Overton County?

Yes, by buying an optional state residential building permit; the State Fire Marshal’s Office then inspects and can issue a certificate of occupancy.

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