Rhea County, Tennessee Building Permit Guide

Rhea County runs its own Building Department at 375 Church Street in Dayton (office 423-775-4514), and the State Fire Marshal lists the county as exempt from the state residential program because it enforces its own codes. Dayton and Spring City are also exempt and handle their own permits, Graysville homes need a state residential permit, and electrical permits throughout the county come from the state.

What needs a permit in Rhea County?

Under the county’s 1975 private act, no electric, gas or water service may be connected to a building that needed a permit until the permit has been obtained.

Who issues permits in each part of Rhea County?

The county lists Jim Vincent, Jr. as its Building Inspector. A 1975 private act also makes the Assessor of Property (375 Church Street, Suite 100, (423) 775-7840) responsible for recording building permits for the tax rolls; it exempts work in cities that require their own permits, provided the cities send copies of those permits to the Assessor.

Electrical, plumbing and gas

Electrical: neither the county nor any of its towns is on the state’s list of places with their own electrical inspections, and the state lists no local issuing agent in Rhea County. Buy the permit online in CORE; state deputy inspectors do the inspections, booked in CORE or at 615-741-7170 with the permit number.

Dayton: the City issues separate plumbing, mechanical and gas permits alongside the building permit. Its code page lists the 2017 National Electrical Code for electrical work.

Graysville: on a state residential permit, plumbing and mechanical work is inspected at rough-in and final, with a $100 plumbing and HVAC inspection fee on new construction.

Septic: TDEC’s Chattanooga field office handles septic permits for Rhea County.

Permit fees in Rhea County

County Building Department: the county’s website publishes no fee schedule for its building permits; ask the office when you apply.

Assessor’s permit: the 1975 private act caps the Assessor’s building permit fee at $5, with the exact amount set by county resolution. Building without the required permit is punishable by a fine of $25 to $50.

Graysville (state permit): the State Fire Marshal charges by construction cost, which cannot be put below $60.57 per heated sq ft: $350 for $5,001 to $100,000, $400 for $100,001 to $150,000, $450 up to $200,000 and $500 up to $250,000, then $50 for each further $50,000. New homes add $100 for the plumbing and HVAC inspection, so a 1,900 sq ft house valued at the minimum ($115,083) pays $500 in total.

Dayton: the City’s page explains how to pay (by mail, in person or online, with card fees) but does not list the amounts.

Inspections in Rhea County

Unincorporated county: contact the Building Department at (423) 775-4514 or bdginspector@rheacounty.org to arrange inspections on a county permit.

Dayton: call the City’s Building Inspector at 423-664-0723. Decisions of Dayton’s Building Official can be appealed on the City’s appeal application.

Graysville: state inspectors check the foundation before concrete is placed, the framing and rough-ins, and the finished home; book each one in CORE. One re-inspection is free and later ones are charged.

Local details for Rhea County

Dayton codes: Dayton enforces the 2021 International Residential Code, with the 2009 energy tables for homes and blower door and duct tightness tests optional, the 2021 ICC codes for commercial buildings and ICC A117.1-2009 for accessibility.

Dayton zoning: the Board of Zoning Appeals (5:00 p.m.) and Planning Commission (5:15 p.m.) meet on the third Monday of each month, and applications must be in by close of business seven days before the meeting. Any man-made change in Dayton’s floodplain or floodway needs a floodplain development permit first.

Mobile and manufactured homes: the county private act counts mobile, modular and manufactured structures as buildings, so they need a permit before utilities are connected.

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 Rhea County permitting resources

County, city and state pages behind this guide:

• Tennessee state residential-permit instructions
• Tennessee residential jurisdictions and inspectors
• Rhea County Assessor of Property / county building permit process
• Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office
• Rhea County departments (Building Department contacts)
• Dayton zoning, codes and permits
• State residential permit fees
• State electrical permits
• TDEC Chattanooga field office (septic)

Rhea County permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Rhea County, TN?

The Rhea County Building Department at 375 Church Street in Dayton, (423) 775-4514, for the unincorporated county. Dayton and Spring City handle their own permits.

Does Rhea County enforce a building code?

Yes. The State Fire Marshal lists Rhea County as exempt from the state residential program, which means the county enforces its own codes.

Who handles permits in Graysville?

New homes and larger additions in Graysville need a state residential building permit, bought through the State Fire Marshal’s CORE system.

How do I apply for a permit in Dayton?

Download the City’s building, plumbing, mechanical, gas or sign application and email it to inspector@daytontn.net; call 423-664-0723 for inspections.

Can the power company connect service before I have a permit?

Not where the county’s 1975 private act applies: it bars electric, gas or water connections until the required building permit has been obtained.

Where do I get an electrical permit in Rhea County?

From the State of Tennessee, online through CORE; no part of the county runs its own electrical inspections.

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