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Sullivan County

Sullivan County Department of Planning and Codes

In short

Sullivan County Department of Planning and Codes issues 7 permits we publish for Sullivan County, last verified 2026-10-27. Each carries the fee as the agency publishes it, with a link to the schedule it was read from.

What this agency issues

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Commercial Building Permit / Zoning Compliance Permit (unincorporated county)Sullivan County Department of Planning and CodesCommercial / Industrial / Non-Residential, based on total cost of project (grading, utilities, construction): $1–$25,000 = $173; $25,001–$50,000 = $273; $50,001–$100,000 = $473; $100,001–$150,000 = $673; $150,001–$200,000 = $773; $200,001–$250,000 = $973; $250,001–$300,000 = $1,273; $300,001–$350,000 = $1,373; $350,001–$400,000 = $1,473; $400,001–$450,000 = $1,573; $450,001–$500,000 = $1,673; $500,001–$600,000 = $1,873; $600,001–$700,000 = $2,073; $700,001–$800,000 = $2,273; $800,001–$900,000 = $2,473; $900,001–$1,000,000 = $2,673; $1,000,001–$1,250,000 = $3,173; $1,250,001–$1,500,000 = $3,573; $1,500,001–$2,000,000 = $3,973; $2,000,001–$5,000,000 = $6,973; $5,000,001 and up = $6,973 + $1,000 per additional $1,000,000. Construction started without a permit: permit fee doubled, as printed in Table 12-109.invalid if work has not started within 180 days of issue; construction must be completed and a certificate of occupancy requested and approved within 36 months2026-10-27
Site Plan Reviewonly if it applies to youSullivan County Department of Planning and Codes$303 per site planone-time, per site plan2026-10-27
Sign Permit (unincorporated county)only if it applies to youSullivan County Department of Planning and Codes$58 per sign structure (wall and freestanding)one-time, per sign structure2026-10-27
Temporary Tent / Seasonal Use Permit and Temporary Construction Office Permitonly if it applies to youSullivan County Department of Planning and Codes$303 per permitfor the temporary or seasonal use2026-10-27
Home Occupation Application (unincorporated county)only if it applies to youSullivan County Department of Planning and Codes$28 per applicationone-time, per application2026-10-27
Board of Zoning Appeals Application (variance, special exception or administrative appeal)only if it applies to youSullivan County Department of Planning and Codes$103 per applicationone-time, per application2026-10-27
Rezoning Request (unincorporated county)only if it applies to youSullivan County Department of Planning and CodesRezoning request (per application or group application with common plan): $203 for the A-1, A-2, A-5, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A and R-3B districts; $353 for the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, PBD, PBD-3, PUD, M-1, M-2, PMD-1, PMD-2, AR, A-RV and RRC districts.one-time, per request2026-10-27

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

About each permit

Commercial Building Permit / Zoning Compliance Permit (unincorporated county)

Per the county Planning page, 'Zoning Compliance Permits are required for all multi-family and planned developments as well as non-residential structures: commercial, churches, signs, manufacturing and the like', in unincorporated Sullivan County, which adopted zoning in 1988. The fee is set by Table 12-109 of the Zoning Resolution, the adopted 'Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Fee Schedule' (fee schedule update amended May 8, 2025; pages 123-125). The commercial, industrial and non-residential section prices the permit on the total cost of the project, including grading and utilities, in 21 tiers from $173 for $1 to $25,000 up to $6,973 plus $1,000 per additional $1,000,000 above $5,000,000. The tier printed as '$1,500,001 2,000,000' is the $1,500,001 to $2,000,000 band at $3,973, and the next band, $2,000,001 to $5,000,000, is a flat $6,973. Construction without a building permit 'Permit fee is doubled (minus initial Archive Fee)'. Table 12-109 also lists a reinspection fee of $25 after the second failed inspection, a $58 building permit renewal fee ('Flat rate for any expired building permit'), and a $103 demolition permit. Section 12-109 requires all fees to be paid at the time of filing and waives them for applications by federal, state or municipal agencies. Under § 12-102.6 item 1, a permit 'becomes invalid if work authorized is not commenced within one hundred and eighty (180) days' of issue, and all construction must be completed within 36 months, with a Certificate of Occupancy requested and approved, or a new permit must be purchased. The permit form asks for the contractor's state license number. Per the Planning page, electrical permits are issued by the State of Tennessee, and the State Fire Marshal's exempt-jurisdiction list does not name Sullivan County, so the state reviews commercial plans for the occupancies it lists. Contact Planning and Codes at (423) 323-6440 or Permits@sullivancountytn.gov.

Site Plan Review

The county Planning page states that 'Site plans are required for all non-residential and multi-family improvements', so a new or expanded business site in unincorporated Sullivan County goes through site plan review alongside the Zoning Compliance permit. Table 12-109 of the Sullivan County Zoning Resolution, the adopted Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Fee Schedule (fee schedule update amended May 8, 2025), lists 'Site Plan Review' at $303.00 as its last line (page 125). Section 12-109 requires the fee to be paid at the time of filing. Inside a city, that city's own site plan process applies. Contact the Department of Planning and Codes, 3425 Highway 126, Suite 101, Blountville, at (423) 323-6440.

Sign Permit (unincorporated county)

Per the county Planning page, Zoning Compliance Permits are required for non-residential structures including 'signs'. Table 12-109 of the Sullivan County Zoning Resolution, the adopted Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Fee Schedule (fee schedule update amended May 8, 2025), lists 'Sign Permit' at $58.00 'Per structure (wall and freestanding)'. A business with both a wall sign and a freestanding sign pays for each structure. The fee is paid at the time of filing under § 12-109. This applies in unincorporated Sullivan County; a sign inside a city falls under that city's sign rules. Contact Planning and Codes at (423) 323-6440 or Permits@sullivancountytn.gov.

Temporary Tent / Seasonal Use Permit and Temporary Construction Office Permit

Table 12-109 of the Sullivan County Zoning Resolution, the adopted Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Fee Schedule (fee schedule update amended May 8, 2025), lists a Temporary 'Tent / Seasonal Use Permit' and 'Construction/Office Permit' at $303.00, described as 'Fireworks sales, Christmas Tree sales, Temporary Construction Office. etc. (commercial zones)'. A seasonal seller operating from a tent or temporary stand in a commercial zone of unincorporated Sullivan County, or a contractor placing a temporary construction office, applies to the Department of Planning and Codes. The fee is paid at the time of filing under § 12-109. Inside a city, that city's temporary use rules apply. Contact Planning and Codes at (423) 323-6440.

Home Occupation Application (unincorporated county)

Table 12-109 of the Sullivan County Zoning Resolution, the adopted Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Fee Schedule (fee schedule update amended May 8, 2025), lists 'Home Occupation Application' at $28.00. The application applies to a business run from a home in unincorporated Sullivan County, such as a home salon, an in-home child care or a contractor's home office. The fee is paid at the time of filing under § 12-109. Inside a city, that city's home occupation rules apply. Contact Planning and Codes at (423) 323-6440.

Board of Zoning Appeals Application (variance, special exception or administrative appeal)

Table 12-109 of the Sullivan County Zoning Resolution, the adopted Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Fee Schedule (fee schedule update amended May 8, 2025), lists the 'Board of Zoning Appeals Application', which 'Includes requests for Setback Variances, Special Exceptions or Administrative Appeals', at $103.00. The same table lists a 'Request for Deferral (BZA or Rezoning)' at $103.00 and 'Special Called Meetings (BZA or Planning Commission)' at $253.00. A business needs this application when its site in unincorporated Sullivan County requires a setback variance or a use that the zoning district allows only by special exception. The fee is paid at the time of filing under § 12-109. Contact Planning and Codes at (423) 323-6440.

Rezoning Request (unincorporated county)

Table 12-109 of the Sullivan County Zoning Resolution, the adopted Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Fee Schedule (fee schedule update amended May 8, 2025), lists a 'Rezoning Request' 'Per application or group application with common plan' at $203.00 for the A-1, A-2, A-5, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A and R-3B districts and $353.00 for the B-1 to B-4, PBD, PBD-3, PUD, M-1, M-2, PMD-1, PMD-2, AR, A-RV and RRC districts. A rezoning (a change to the zoning map) is needed only where a business wants to operate on unincorporated land whose district does not allow its use. Under § 2-106.1, the County Commission acts on rezonings 'outside of any municipal city limits, pursuant to the TCA 13-7-105'. A request for deferral costs $103. The fee is paid at the time of filing under § 12-109. Contact Planning and Codes at (423) 323-6440.

Contact

Jurisdiction
Sullivan County
Phone
(423) 323-6440

Contact details are taken from the agency’s own site or its published fee schedule. Where we have not verified a phone number we leave it blank rather than guess.

Sources

Every fee and term above was read from one of these government pages on the date shown.

  1. Planning and CodesSullivan County Department of Planning and Codes · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  2. Sullivan County Building/Zoning Permit Application (August 2024)Sullivan County Department of Planning and Codes · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  3. Sullivan County Zoning Resolution (updated 05-08-2025), including Table 12-109 Building Permit/Zoning Compliance Fee ScheduleSullivan County Department of Planning and Zoning · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27
  4. Tennessee Fire Codes Enforcement Exempt Jurisdictions for Commercial BuildingsTennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, State Fire Marshal's Office · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-27

Other offices serving Sullivan County

The full permit list for this jurisdiction

Industry permit lists that include this agency

Tennessee jurisdictions

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.