Building Department
Jeff Houston
Mailing: PO Box 530
Jefferson City, TN 37760
Phone: 865-475-9071
Fax: 865-475-8224
Jefferson City Fire Department
Chief, Robert Lee Turner, Jr.
104 City Center Drive
Jefferson City, TN 37760
865-475-3616
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- Click Here to create an account and complete permit application here. Fees, Inspection Scheduling, and permit tracking can also be found.
- When required by the Building Official, two (2) complete sets (hard copies) delivered to Building Dept., for Residential and four (4) complete sets (hard copies) for Commercial, along with electronic submittal of drawings showing the footings, foundation, framing, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and elevations showing size and heights of proposed building. All drawings shall be of sufficient clarity and detail to indicate the nature and character of the work. The Building Official may require details, computations, stress diagrams, and other data necessary to describe the work being performed. All drawings, specifications, and accompanying data required by the Building Official that are prepared by an architect or engineer shall be affixed with their official seal.
- A site plan shall be drawn showing proposed building(s), setback, parking, and any other requirements per city zoning ordinance or building codes. The Building Official may require a boundary line survey prepared by a qualified surveyor.
- Copy of Workers Compensation Insurance or signed copy of the Affidavit of Exemption. A copy of Contractors License and a list of all sub-contractors with licenses numbers and workers compensation papers.
- These items must be in the office of the Building Official before a permit is issued. An average of seven (7) days is expected for reviewing the plans (based on current submittals) before a permit is issued. Any other information requested by the Building Official must be in the office of the Building Official prior to obtaining a Building Permit. Approval of a Building Permit does not constitute conformity with any restrictive covenants or certify compliance with the Americans with Disability Act.
The Building Department of Jefferson City regulates the types and sizes of all signs in the city. Permits are required for all temporary and permanent signs prior to installation. This is to ensure all signs follow regulations regarding construction, placement, and size. For each sign you would like to install, you must fill out a sign permit and pay the applicable fee.
Codes enforcement ensures properties meet minimum standards to protect the lives and well-being of the citizens of Jefferson City. This includes enforcing codes and ordinances regarding health and sanitation, unsafe structures, home occupancy, overgrown lots, sign regulations, stagnant water, and inoperative motor vehicles. The Jefferson City Police Department handles the enforcement of codes and has the authority to issue fines and penalties for the violation of codes and city ordinances.
Floodplain Information and Tools
Tennessee Floodplain Management FEMA Quick Guide
FEMA Map Center
The Jefferson City Planning Commission oversees the plans for the physical development of Jefferson City. Find out more about the Planning Commission here.
The Jefferson City Historic Zoning Commission encourages the preservation of historic sites in the city. Find out more about the Historic Zoning Commission and its members.
Jefferson City Housing Authority operates income-based and flat rent units located in Jefferson City, TN. Check out the JCHA website to learn more or to apply for housing.
Most Commonly Violated Ordinances
(1) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this section:
(a) “Antique.” Any vehicle over 25 years old.
(b) “Demolisher.” Any person whose business is to convert a motor vehicle into processed scrap or scrap metal, or otherwise to wreck
or dismantle a motor vehicle.
(c) “Junked vehicle.” Any vehicle which is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, or discarded.
(d) “Person.” Any person or individual, firm, organization, partnership, association, corporation or company of any kind.
(e) “Property.” Any real property within Jefferson City, Tennessee, which is not a public right-of-way.
(f) “Shall.” The word “shall” is mandatory and not merely directory.
(g) “Vehicle.” Any machine propelled other than by human power which is designed to travel along the ground by use of wheels, treads, runners, or slides, and transports persons or property and shall include, and not be limited to, automobiles, trucks/trailers, motorcycles, tractors, mobile homes, or motor homes.
(2) Location or presence of junked vehicles within the city deemed public nuisance; exceptions. The location or presence of any junked vehicle or junked vehicles on any lot, tract, parcel of land or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved, within Jefferson City, shall be deemed a public nuisance, and it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to cause or maintain such public nuisance by wrecking, dismantling, rendering inoperable, abandoning or discarding his or their vehicle or vehicles on property, or to allow or permit the same to be placed, located, maintained or exist upon his or their own real property; provided that this section shall not apply to:
(a) Any vehicle in operable condition specifically adapted or constructed for racing or operation on privately owned dragstrips or raceways;
(b) Any antique retained and maintained by the owner for collection purposes other than for salvage or for transportation. Such vehicle shall be maintained in operable condition and at the discretion of the authority with jurisdiction be required to comply with item (c) of subsection (2) of this chapter.
(c) Any junked vehicle kept within a building where it will not be visible from the street;
(d) Any junked vehicle in an appropriate storage place or depository maintained at a location designated and approved by Jefferson City.
(3) Removal of junked vehicles required. (a) The accumulation and storage of one or more such vehicles in violation of the provision of this chapter shall constitute rubbish and unsightly debris and a nuisance and may be detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare of the inhabitants of Jefferson City.
(b) It shall be the duty of the registered owner of such vehicle and it shall also be the duty of the person in charge of control of the property upon which such junked vehicle is located, whether owner, tenant, occupant, lessee, or otherwise, to remove the vehicle to a place of lawful storage or to have the vehicle housed within a building where it will not be visible from a public right-of-way.
(4) Notification and authority. (a) Whenever any such public nuisance exists on occupied or unoccupied, commercial or residential, private or public property within Jefferson City, the owner or owners of said property shall be notified by the city manager or his authorized agent to abate or remove the nuisance. The notification shall:
(i) Be in writing,
(ii) Specify the public nuisance and its location,
(iii) Specify any corrective measures that can be taken, and
(iv) State that compliance must be provided within ten (10) days of receipt of the notification.
(b) The notification shall be served upon the owner or owners of said premises by serving them personally or by sending said notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to their address as shown on the current tax rolls of Jefferson City. If the owner or owners of the premises fail to or refuse to comply with the order of the city manager or his authorized agent within a ten (10) day period after notification, such failure or refusal to remove the nuisance shall be deemed a violation of the provisions of this chapter and said owner or owners shall be subject to the penalties provided within this chapter.
(c) If the owner or owners of the vehicle or premises upon which the junked vehicle lies fail or refuse to comply with the order of the city manager or his authorized agent within a ten (10) day period after notification, the city manager and/or his authorized agent may enter upon said property, take possession of junked vehicle or vehicles and remove the same from said property. Upon completion of such removal, any reasonable costs incurred, plus 15 percent for inspection and other incidental costs for correction purposes, shall be paid by the owner or owners of said property to Jefferson City and said costs shall be billed to said owner or owners accordingly. If the bill is not fully paid to the city within sixty (60) days after receipt of the bill, a ten (10) percent penalty shall be added to the balance due. The costs and penalty shall be placed on the tax roll of Jefferson City as a lien upon the property and collected in the same manner as other city taxes are collected.
(5) Authority to enforce. The city manager and/or his authorized agent(s) may enter upon private property for the purposes specified in the ordinance in order to examine vehicles or parts thereof, obtain information as to identity of vehicle(s) and remove or cause to remove the vehicle or parts of a vehicle declared a public nuisance.
(6) Nuisances on public thoroughfares. Nothing in this chapter shall affect other ordinances or procedures that allow for the removal of vehicles left on public property or which constitute obstruction to traffic within the city.
(7) Penalty. Upon conviction for violation of any provisions of this chapter relating to the maintaining of a public nuisance as described herein or in permitting or allowing such public nuisance to exist, such violator shall be punished by a fine not to exceed fifty (50) dollars and each day that such nuisance shall continue after the time for removal as herein provided shall constitute a separate offense.
(8) Full force and effect. If any section or part of any section or paragraph of this section is declared invalid or unconstitutional for any reason, it shall not invalidate or impair the validity, force, or effect of any other section or sections or part of a section or paragraph in this chapter. (1996 Code, § 9-128)
Each owner, occupant, tenant, sub-tenant, Ace, or others using or occupying any building, house, structure, or grounds within the City of Jefferson City, where refuse materials or substances as defined in this chapter accumulate, shall provide an adequate number of suitable containers of a type approved by the health officer, for the storage for such refuse. Such containers shall be constructed of metal, and shall be strong and durable, rodent and insect proof, not readily corrodible, and shall have a capacity not exceeding thirty (30) gallons. Smaller containers may be used if they are of sufficient capacity adequately to meet the requirements. Such containers shall be equipped with handles to facilitate emptying and shall be equipped with tight fitting lids or covers constructed of the same material and of such design as to preclude the container from collecting water during rains. The lid or cover shall be kept in place at all times except when refuse is being deposited therein or removed therefrom by an official collector. The storage containers shall be placed in such convenient, accessible locations for trucking as may be designated by the official refuse collecting agency.
Wet garbage or refuse must be drained of all liquids prior to placing into a storage receptacle. The containers shall be thoroughly cleaned by washing or other methods as necessary to prevent the breeding of flies and the occurrence of offensive odors. (1996 Code, § 8-403)