Building permits in Chattanooga, TN
Permits for Chattanooga are issued by City of Chattanooga, Land Development Office. Applications go through the portal below.
Where to file
- Department
- City of Chattanooga, Land Development Office
- Phone
- (423) 643-5894
- Portal
- chattanoogatn.portal.opengov.com
OpenGov portal 24/7. Plans review (423) 643-5894; trades (423) 643-5884. (Hamilton County for unincorporated.)
What each job needs in Chattanooga
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Chattanooga before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Tennessee
A contractor license is generally required for projects $25,000 and up (prime/general). Some trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) have their own thresholds.
Issued by Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors · Verify a licence
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Other Tennessee jurisdictions
Department, portal and phone are from the jurisdiction's published information and have not been re-checked recently. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.