Inside Union City, building permits come from the City’s Planning & Codes Department at 408 South Depot Street (731-885-0918), and applications are filed online through the City’s GovWell portal. The building permit costs $10 for the first $1,000 of estimated cost plus $3 for each additional $1,000, so a $250,000 job pays $757; electrical permits come from the State.
What work requires a Union City permit?
Planning & Codes issues building permits for residential new construction, additions, repairs and demolition, and for commercial and industrial work. Gas, plumbing and mechanical work each need a City utilities inspection permit, and the City issues land disturbance permits under its stormwater program.
City permits
- New homes, additions, repairs and demolition
- Commercial and industrial construction
- Manufactured and tiny homes
- Gas, plumbing and mechanical work (utilities inspection permits)
- Front-yard fences (zoning compliance permit)
- Land disturbance
- Temporary retail fireworks stands
Other approvals
- Electrical permits: State of Tennessee
- Plans for some occupancies: State Fire Marshal’s Office review, sealed by a Tennessee architect or engineer
- Site plans and subdivisions: Planning Commission
- Variances and home occupations: Board of Zoning Appeals
Who issues permits in Union City?
The Planning & Codes Department is the City’s centre for planning, zoning, stormwater, plan review, building permits, property maintenance and rental inspections. John Davidson is the director, and the department has a codes enforcement officer, an inspector and a permit technician. The State Fire Marshal’s table lists Union City as exempt from the state residential program because the City enforces its own residential code.
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Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Planning & Codes Department |
| Address | 408 South Depot Street, Union City, TN 38261 (mail: P.O. Box 9, 38281) |
| Phone | 731-885-0918; City Hall 731-885-1341 |
| Hours | Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. (Central) |
| Online | GovWell permit portal |
Outside the city limits, the Obion County Assessor’s Office, in a notice the City publishes, says a county permit is required before construction wherever a city does not issue permits, at no cost for now, from pools, barns and portable buildings to roof work, decks and remodels (731-507-0999, option 4). Properties in a FEMA flood zone get a special county permit and are referred to the county EMA director.
Who can get a building permit in Union City
- Homeowners may take out a permit for their own private residence and assume the legal responsibility for liability and workers’ compensation; the City notes that state law limits new home construction by an owner to one personal residence every two years.
- Workmen without a contractor’s licence may get a permit for any residential job under $25,000, and an owner or workman may do commercial or industrial work up to $25,000, with workers’ compensation insurance or a signed waiver.
- Licensed contractors may take any project up to their state monetary limit, with proof of workers’ compensation and their state licence number.
Apply through the GovWell portal. Planning and review fees are due when you submit, and plans are not reviewed until they are paid.
Union City permit and review fees
The building permit is based on the total estimated cost of the work: $10 for the first $1,000, plus $3 for each additional $1,000. A $250,000 house therefore pays $757 ($10 plus 249 × $3).
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Building construction plan review | $100 |
| Site plan review | $50 |
| New utility and street development review | $100 |
| Existing water/sewer tap inspection | $15 (a failed tap must be replaced with a new one) |
| Stormwater plan review | $250 for 1–5 acres; $500 for 5–100 acres; $10 per acre over 100 |
| Minor / major subdivision plat | $25 / $50 |
| Rezoning or Board of Zoning Appeals | $50 each |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits
Gas, plumbing and mechanical work is permitted and inspected by the City through utilities inspection permits. Starting gas or plumbing work before the permit is issued doubles the fee.
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Gas or plumbing, new residential | $25 each |
| Gas or plumbing, residential remodel (unit change-out or pipe repair) | $15 each |
| Gas, plumbing or mechanical, apartments | $15 per unit up to 10 units; $13 per unit over 10 |
| Gas, plumbing or mechanical, commercial | $100 up to 250,000 BTU; $300 over 250,000 BTU |
| Gas exam / annual gas licence renewal | $100 / $30 |
Electrical: electrical permits and inspections are regulated by the State. Obion County is in the state electrical program, and the State lists Troy Hardware in Troy (731-536-4709) as an issuing agent in the county; permits can also be bought online through CORE.
Plans and state review
Building construction plans carry a $100 City review fee. Depending on the occupancy type, location and scope, a commercial project may also need plans submitted to the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office, sealed by a Tennessee-registered architect or engineer. Site plans and subdivision plans go to the Municipal-Regional Planning Commission, which meets on the third Thursday of each month at noon in the Municipal Building courtroom; submit at least 14 days before the meeting, using the City’s site plan or subdivision checklist.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Union City enforces the 2018 International Residential Code, with insulation levels taken from the 2009 energy code charts, and the 2021 International Building, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas and Property Maintenance Codes, the 2018 Energy Conservation Code with amendments and ICC A117.1-2009.
How to get a Union City building permit
Variances and special exceptions go to the Board of Zoning Appeals (first Friday of the month, 8:30 a.m., filed 14 days ahead, $50).
Submit the building permit application with plans and pay the review fees, which must be paid before review starts.
Utilities inspection permits for gas, plumbing and mechanical work, a land disturbance application where needed, and a state electrical permit.
On an existing lot, the water and sewer taps and the setbacks are inspected before construction starts.
Give Planning & Codes at least 24 hours’ notice.
Issued once every inspection has passed; no building may be occupied before it.
Union City inspections
Notify Planning & Codes at least 24 hours before each inspection. The City’s residential sequence:
Rather not deal with the Union City building department?
Get a free quote →| Inspection | When |
|---|---|
| Water/sewer tap | Before any work on an existing lot; inadequate taps must be replaced |
| Setback | Before construction; work cannot proceed until setbacks are met or a variance is granted |
| Footing | Footing dug, steel tied and grade stakes in place |
| Flooring | Floor framing in place, before sub-flooring |
| Underground plumbing | Under-slab plumbing installed, before it is covered |
| Gas piping rough-in | Before concealment, pressure-tested at 1.5 times working pressure for 15 minutes |
| Rough plumbing | Before concealment, water piping tested at 60 PSI and drain-waste-vent at 5 PSI or a 10 ft head |
| Framing | Walls, floors and roof in place, rough wiring and plumbing complete, before insulation |
| Final | Work complete and ready to occupy, with smoke alarms, operable windows and fixtures |
The Certificate of Occupancy is issued after all inspections pass. Commercial projects follow a separate required-inspections sheet.
Local Union City details
Manufactured homes: a setback inspection comes first; the home must face the street, sit on a continuous permanent masonry wall (installed within 90 days, porch included), have a roof pitch of at least 3 in 12 and be built originally for the site, because previously occupied units may not be moved onto residentially zoned lots.
Front porches and decks: on any home, a front porch or deck addition must sit on a continuous masonry wall; every exit needs a landing at least 36 inches deep, and stairs with 4 or more risers need a handrail.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Fences: front-yard fences, walls and hedges must be under 30 inches tall, at least 10 ft back from the curb, and made of wood, stone, vinyl or wrought iron; a zoning compliance permit with a site plan is required first. Side and rear yard fences are allowed.
Stormwater: the City runs an MS4 stormwater program with its own land disturbance application and minimum stormwater and erosion control requirements; the stormwater hotline is 731-885-9601.
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 Union City permit resources
- Tennessee residential jurisdiction list
- Union City permit and utility inspection fees
- Union City Planning & Codes Department
- Union City building codes and who can get a permit
- Union City planning and review fees
- Required residential inspections
- Manufactured home construction guidelines
- Fence guidelines
- Union City stormwater management
- Union City GovWell permit portal
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Union City building permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in Union City?
The City’s Planning & Codes Department, 408 South Depot Street (731-885-0918), for property inside the city limits.
How much is a building permit in Union City?
$10 for the first $1,000 of estimated cost and $3 for each additional $1,000, so a $250,000 project pays $757, plus a $100 plan review fee for building construction plans.
Can a homeowner pull a permit?
Yes, for their own private residence, taking on responsibility for liability and workers’ compensation; the City notes state law allows one owner-built home every two years.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Union City?
A front-yard fence needs a zoning compliance permit and must be under 30 inches tall. Side and rear yard fences are allowed.
How do I schedule an inspection?
Contact Planning & Codes at least 24 hours before the inspection.
Who issues building permits outside Union City in Obion County?
The Obion County Assessor’s Office, which currently charges nothing for county permits (731-507-0999, option 4).
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More Tennessee permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Union City permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.