Plans Review & Permits

• New Residential Building: For all new construction, placement of pre-manufactured homes, or relocation of existing structures.

• Residential Addition: For expanding an existing structure’s floor area, height, or stories.

• Residential Alteration/Repair: For modifying or fixing existing structures.

• Repair: Like-for-like replacement for maintenance or damage; no layout or appearance changes.

• Alteration: Changes that modify appearance, layout, or function.

• Total Demolition: For complete removal of a dwelling (single-family, duplex, townhouse); includes debris removal.
  Note: Only limited grading allowed; further site work requires a separate Site Development permit.

• New Commercial Building: For new construction, pre-manufactured placement, or relocation of existing structures.

• Commercial Addition: For increasing floor area, height, or stories of an existing building.

• Commercial Alteration/Repair: For modifying or fixing existing structures.

• Repair: Like-for-like maintenance or damage repair; no layout or appearance changes

• Alteration: Changes affecting appearance or function; full review required.

• Reissue CO: For ownership or tenant changes with no work or use change; limited review required.

• Total Demolition: For full removal of a commercial structure; includes debris disposal.
  Note: Only minor grading allowed; additional site work requires a Site Development permit.

• Commercial Sign: For constructing, altering, or installing signs (ground, wall, canopy, directional, etc.).

• Rough Grading: Disturbance <10,000 sq. ft. and no infrastructure.

• Site Development: Disturbance ≥10,000 sq. ft. or includes infrastructure.

• Temporary Use: Short-term activities like farmstands, storage containers, outdoor sales/events, or temporary parking lots.

• Home Occupation: Allows business operations within a residence. 

• Residential Mechanical – For HVAC equipment, ductwork, and gas piping to heating/cooling systems.

• Residential Electrical – For all home electrical work after utility connection.

• Residential Plumbing – For all home plumbing, including gas piping and gas water heaters.

• Commercial Mechanical – For installing or maintaining commercial HVAC and gas systems.

• Commercial Electrical – For all commercial electrical wiring and equipment.

• Commercial Low Voltage – For low-voltage systems like data, A/V, and alarms.

• Commercial Plumbing – For all commercial plumbing work, including gas piping and water heaters.

Mobile-Food-Unit-Inspection-Application.pdf(PDF, 257KB)

This application is to reserve an inspection time only. All documentation for permit must begin at the City of Knoxville Tax office.

Please fill out the above PDF and send to bldginspections@knoxvilletn.gov to schedule a date and time for required Fire Safety and Electrical inspections of your mobile food unit. You will be contacted via email to confirm a date and time. 

Mobile food unit inspections are conducted the first and third Tuesday of the month at Ridley Helton Park. Cost for inspections is $50.

Once your inspections are approved please present your proof of approved inspections to the City Tax Office along with any other required documentation to obtain your Mobile Food Unit permit. 

Alarm System - Plan Submittal and Inspection Requirements

Please Note: Beginning November 1st, 2025, Plans Review & Inspections will review and inspect all new construction. If your project was submitted before November 1st, please click here.

All fire alarm systems installed within the jurisdiction of the City of Knoxville Fire Department shall meet all the applicable sections of the following:

•IFC, 2024 edition

•IBC, 2024 edition

•All the latest NFPA standards

Apply for a permit online.  Please select "Create an Application" to begin the process.  Depending on how you logged in, you may have to click the tab labeled Building first.

Suppression Systems - Plan Submittal and Inspection Requirements

•IFC, 2024 edition

•IBC, 2024 edition

•All the latest NFPA standards

Apply for a permit online. Please select "Create an Application" to begin the process. Depending on how you logged in, you may have to click the tab labeled Building first.

• Only one CHAP review can be active at a time; concurrent submissions will be rejected.

• Inspections may continue during a CHAP review, but some may be held until review completion.

• The applicant becomes the project coordinator, responsible for communication, comment responses, and managing the review process.

Expedited-Review-Application.pdf(PDF, 150KB)