The purpose of building codes is to provide minimum requirements to safeguard
public safety and health.

Tennessee Adopted Building Codes for Residential

• 2018 International Fire Code including Appendices B, C, and D
• 2018 NFPA Life Safety Code 101
• 2017 National Electric Code
• 2018 International Plumbing Code
• 2018 International Mechanical Code
• 2018 International Fuel Gas Code
• 2017 ICC A 117.1 Accessible and Useable Buildings and Facilities
• 2018 International Existing Building Code
• 2018 International Residential Code including Appendices G and J. o
• 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (for buildings reviewed under the IRC)
• 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
• 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code

The building official is the senior officer charged with enforcing the building code. As such they have the authority to interpret the code and adopt policies and procedures to clarify the code. They do so with other staff: Plans examiners and inspectors. They issue permits and conduct inspections.

Most construction work requires a permit. This includes general construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolishing a structure, or changing the occupancy classification of a building.
This includes electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.

Below is a list of project types that are exempt from having to get a building permit.

One-Story, detached, accessory structures not over 200 square feet
Fences not over 7’ in height
Retaining walls not over 4’ in height
Water tanks supported on grade not over 5000 gallons capacity
Sidewalks and driveways
Painting, papering, tile-work, carpeting, cabinets, and similar trim work
Pre-fabricated swimming pools less then 24” deep
Certain window awnings supported by exterior wall
Decks not over 200 square feet and not more then 30” above grade

To receive a building permit, you must submit a written application.

The application must have the following basic information:

The work being done
The land on which the work is to be done
The use and occupancy for the proposed work
Construction Plans
The valuation of the proposed work
Signatures of the applicant or representative

Construction documents are design plans that conform to the building code and spell out
every detail about the construction project. From the roof design all the way down to the foundation design. These documents must be submitted to the building department for review with the permit application.These documents must be completed by a design professional in accordance with the requirements of the local jurisdiction.

To protect your investment for any permanent new structure, you'll want to know exactly where your property easements, setbacks, and boundaries lie before beginning any new construction project.

A site plan is required to be part of the construction documents and is prepared by a state licensed surveyor. The size and location of all new construction and existing structures as well as any being demolished must be identified on the site plan.

A review of the plans is made by the building official for building code compliance. They will review the site plan, foundation plan, stair details, egress exits, and guard rails, electrical, plumbing and mechanical, structural floor, wall, roof framing building height elevation views as well as the cross section details of the building ensuring that the design meets the building code requirements.

Upon approval, the documents shall be marked
“Reviewed for Code Compliance”

If the plans have deficiencies they will be returned to the permit holder for corrections.

What information is required to be on the Construction Plans?

SITE PLAN
Layout of new structure on site - Setbacks from property lines

FOUNDATION LAYOUT
Permitter footing analysis - Pier locations - Crawl space vent locations - Girder sizes
Floor joist size and spacing

FOOTING AND WALL SECTIONS
Type and size of footings - Stem wall - Concrete or concrete masonry block - Cap block - Pressure treated plates - Termite plate or shield - Wall construction - Studs - Wall covering - Roof details

FLOOR PLANS
Exterior and interior partitions - Dimensions - Reflected ceilings - Ceiling joists and rafter sizes - Door and window schedules - Door and window details

ROOF PLAN
Locate all load bearing walls - Ceiling joists directions, Sizes and locations - Roof loading - Concentrated point loads - Beam sizes and nailing requirements

ELEVATIONS
Front - rear and both side of the building - Roof pitch - Exterior materials schedule

FRAMING DETAILS
Locate all bearing walls - Designate beam locations, Size and nailing requirements - Joist directions, sizes, spacing and series grade - Locations of all transfer blocking
Hanger locations, and nailing requirements

ELECTRICAL
Lighting and power plan layout - Electrical circuit design - Electrical panel schedule and calculations Review specialty equipment specifications

PLUMBING
Sanitary isometric and tie in analysis - Equipment specifications - Calculations for pipe sizing -
Review of septic design plans

Contact us today to schedule a free appointment to discuss
your new project in detail.

Click here to get started