BuildingPermitCost How Knoxville calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $50.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: its own fee table (minimum $50.00). Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $500,000 | $0.55 per $100 |
| $500,001 – $2,000,000 | $2,750.00 for the first $500,000 + $0.45 per additional $100 |
| $2,000,001 – $20,000,000 | $9,500.00 for the first $2,000,000 + $0.35 per additional $100 |
| Over $20,000,000 | $72,500.00 for the first $20,000,000 + $0.25 per additional $100 |
What counts as project value
Not stated in the schedule. Fees are a percentage of project valuation; the schedule does not say how valuation is determined (contract cost vs a valuation table).
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $0.00 for the first $0.00 + $0.55 × 3,500 per $100.00 over = $1,925.00
- Plan review fee: $0.00 for the first $0.00 + $0.03 × 3,500 per $100.00 over = $87.50
- Total before trade permits: $2,012.50.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Mechanical trade permit associated with a building permit: when project includes mechanical work (separate trade permit); fee is the greater of 0.15% of total project valuation or 0.5% of the mechanical trade valuation, $55 minimum; $55.00 on the standard projects.
- Electrical trade permit associated with a building permit: when project includes electrical work (separate trade permit); fee is the greater of 0.15% of total project valuation or 0.5% of the electrical trade valuation, $55 minimum; $55.00 on the standard projects.
- Plumbing trade permit associated with a building permit: when project includes plumbing work (separate trade permit); fee is the greater of 0.15% of total project valuation or 0.5% of the plumbing trade valuation, $55 minimum; $55.00 on the standard projects.
- Credit card processing fee: when payment by credit card; $5.16 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| 4th and subsequent plan reviewWhen: 4th and later reviews | 10% of original review fee, $50 minimum |
| Reinspection (1st free, per discipline)When: second and later reinspections | $50.00 each |
| Permit renewalWhen: renewals | 25% of original permit fee, $50 min, $1,000 max |
| Penalty for commencing work before permit issuance (1-2 family)When: work without permit | value of permit fee, $1,000 max |
| Special request / after hours inspectionWhen: special or after-hours inspections | $50.00 per discipline |
| Reissuance of CO (no work)When: CO reissue | $100.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: With a building permit: greater of 0.15% of total project valuation or 0.5% of electrical valuation, $55 minimum. Stand-alone: 0.5% of trade valuation, $55 minimum. Plumbing: Same formula as electrical. Mechanical: Same formula as electrical.
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to City of Knoxville Plans Review and Inspections.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 865-215-4311 · 400 Main Street, Suite 475, Knoxville, TN 37902