Roane County, Tennessee Building Permit Guide

Roane County’s Building Codes Department at 308 N. 3rd Street in Kingston issues building permits for the unincorporated county under the 2024 International Residential and Building Codes, with applications filed in its SmartGov portal by 3:30 p.m. Oliver Springs sends its applicants to the same county office and portal, while Rockwood, Harriman and Oak Ridge permit their own work. Electrical permits are state permits everywhere except Oak Ridge.

What needs a permit in Roane County?

Electrical work also needs a state electrical permit outside Oak Ridge, and lots without sewer need a septic permit from the state.

Who issues permits in each part of Roane County?

The State Fire Marshal’s list of August 21, 2026 records Roane County and all five cities as exempt from the state residential program because they enforce local codes. County zoning is handled by the Planning & Zoning Department (865-717-4232) at 200 E. Race Street; Kingston, Harriman and Rockwood each apply their own zoning ordinances. Harriman, Oak Ridge and Oliver Springs extend into neighboring counties.

Electrical, plumbing, gas and septic

Electrical: Oak Ridge is the only place in the county on the state’s list of jurisdictions with their own electrical inspections. Everywhere else, buy a state electrical permit online in CORE or from one of the county’s two issuing agents: Kingston Scandlyn Lumber Co. in Kingston (865-376-5585, takes phone orders) or Harriman Utility Board (865-882-3242, in person). State inspections are booked in CORE or at 615-741-7170.

Plumbing, mechanical and gas: in Rockwood the City’s Building Inspector inspects plumbing and mechanical installations. The county portal provides a gas line sizing handout for gas piping work, and Oliver Springs lists plumbing renovations among the jobs that need a permit.

Septic: TDEC’s Knoxville field office handles septic permits for Roane County; call (865) 594-6035 for septic questions and forms.

Permit fees in Roane County

County building permits: the Building Codes page and portal do not publish a fee schedule for building permits. The county’s Building & Codes Committee agenda for June 1, 2026 included a proposal to change the fee for docks from a square-footage calculation to a $50 flat fee; the agenda does not record the outcome.

Short-term rentals: the county’s annual operating permit has a $200 non-refundable application fee and a $150 yearly renewal fee.

Cities: Rockwood posts its own fee schedule on its Building Inspection page; Harriman, Kingston and Oak Ridge set their own fees.

Inspections in Roane County

County permits: inspection requests go in through the SmartGov portal by 3:30 p.m.; anything submitted between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m. may not be processed until the next business day. The office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Manufactured homes: the homeowner and the mobile home company sign a notarised acknowledgment that they share responsibility for scheduling the final inspection with the county. The home should not be occupied until that final is approved, and the final must pass before any certificate of occupancy is issued.

Rockwood: request inspections in person at the Building Inspection Office or by phone during business hours, preferably 24 hours ahead.

Local details for Roane County

Short-term rentals: a new short-term rental in the unincorporated county cannot be advertised or rented until it has the annual operating permit. The application includes a business licence, a life-safety compliance affidavit, owner and local contact details, a site and floor plan and a statement that no private agreement bars short-term rental use. Building & Codes inspects for fire and life safety and building compliance, with one re-inspection allowed for each, and the permit states the maximum guest occupancy. Permits cannot be transferred and end when the property is sold.

Pending code changes: the June 2026 committee agenda also listed adding the state-required energy code language to the county’s code adoption and draft rules for accessory buildings up to 400 sq ft.

Harriman historic districts: Harriman publishes design guidelines and a certificate of appropriateness application for its historic district, and a Walden Ridge overlay district.

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

Roane County permit search and official resources

County, city and state pages behind this guide:

• Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office
• Tennessee Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors
• Roane County permit portal
• Roane County Building Codes
• Roane County Planning & Zoning
• Oliver Springs building permits
• Rockwood Building Inspection
• State electrical permit issuing agents
• State electrical program exempt cities
• TDEC Knoxville field office (septic)

Roane County permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Roane County, TN?

Roane County Building Codes at 308 N. 3rd Street in Kingston (865-717-4230) for the unincorporated county. Rockwood, Harriman and Oak Ridge issue their own.

What building code does Roane County use?

The 2024 International Residential Code and the 2024 International Building Code, together with the county zoning ordinances.

Can I apply online?

Yes, through the county’s SmartGov customer portal. Applications and inspection requests must be in by 3:30 p.m.

Who handles permits in Oliver Springs?

The town’s permit page points applicants to Roane County’s SmartGov portal and to the county Building Codes number, 865-717-4230.

Where do I buy an electrical permit in Roane County?

From the state, online in CORE or through Kingston Scandlyn Lumber Co. or Harriman Utility Board. Oak Ridge issues its own electrical permits.

Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental?

Yes, in the unincorporated county: an annual operating permit with a $200 application fee and a $150 renewal fee.

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