The amount of new construction building permits that go through this office in a year is about 25 times more than other towns around the same size.
Contact
| Kevin Fair | Building Inspector | 423.753.1035 |
| General Contact | Town Hall | 423.753.1030 |
Kevin Fair
Building Inspector
Town of Jonesborough, TennesseeNew Changes (Forms or Fee Structure) Effective July 29, 2025
The activities of the Building Inspector include:
- Issue building permits
- Inspect new construction, renovation, repairs, or improvements to ensure compliance with applicable codes
- Ensure compliance with Historic Zoning Regulations
Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by code R105.1, or to cause any such work performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit. Permits can be downloaded from this page or obtained from the Administration Office in Town Hall. The building inspector will inspect footers, concrete work, plumbing, framing, etc. to ensure construction meets 2018 ICC Codes requirements. If you have any questions regarding permit/permitting process please call the Building Inspectors department at 423-753-1035.
Grading permits must be obtained for any excavation, grading and filling work or when completely removing vegetation from a property, with the exception or gardening or farming. The grading permit allows the building inspector to ensure that silt fencing is installed where necessary in order to prevent sedimentation from getting into town streets or polluting streams and waterways.
Electrical inspections are handled through the City Electric Supply. Click to visit the City Electric Supplt website. Or visit Core.tn.gov
Gas Inspections are handled through Atmos Energy. Click to visit the Atmos Energy Website.
Additional resource information that might be needed when applying for permits to work in Jonesborough can be found below:
Development work on property greater than one acre requires a Drainage and Sedimentation Control Plan which must be approved by TDEC. Copies of the Stormwater Ordinance which details the requirements of the control plan can be downloaded on this page or obtained from Town Hall.
Approval by the Historic Zoning Commission before building, demolishing, or making any exterior changes to property located in Jonesborough’s Historic District (zoned H-1), a Certificate of Appropriateness must be obtained by bringing the proposed improvements before the Historic Zoning Commission for review and approval. An application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, which will put you on the Historic Zoning Commission agenda, can be obtained at the Administration office at Town Hall or from Frank Collins, Chairman of the Historic Zoning Commission 803.323.8298
If you are looking for Business License Information click HERE
Do I need a permit for an Outdoor storage building?
You do not need a permit for an outdoor storage building, provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58m). Storage buildings shall be located in the rear yard not closer than ten feet (10’) to any property line. Municipal Code 11-76
Storage building over 200 Square Feet need to have a building permit applied for, approved, and paid for prior to the starting of any work.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
You do not need a permit for a deck, provided the deck does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58m). The deck cannot be more than 30 inches (762mm) above grade at any point, and not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4
Decks that are higher than 30 inches (762mm) or exceed 200 square feet will need to have a building permit applied for, approved, and paid for prior to the starting of any work.
Do I need a permit for a swimming pool?
Swimming pools must have a building permit if they are over 24 inches in depth. That is for any/all pools, above ground, in ground, etc.
