Building

Obtaining a Permit (In Person Process)

Before any construction can begin, and all requirements are met, a permit must be obtained from the Codes Department at the City of Oak Hill in person everyday from 8 am to 12 pm. Formal inspections of various phases of construction will be made by the Codes Department.

Construction must be performed by a Tennessee State licensed contractor, with proof of worker's compensation and liability insurance. A homeowner can pull his/her own building permit as a "Self-Build or Owner" permit, making the homeowner the general contractor of the project and thereby responsible for all requirements and processes of the permit and construction.

The requirement of obtaining building permits applies not only to new structures but to any work that physically changes structures or landforms already on the property, plus any other work regulated by the City building codes and ordinances.

Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing (MEP): MEP specific permits and inspections are obtained through Metro. 

Site Plan Requirements

If your plans meet City zoning ordinances and building codes, and when all fees are paid and/or bonds in place, a building permit will be issued. Your fees are based on the total cost of construction. Make checks payable to the City of Oak Hill.

Construction Requirements

After the permit board is obtained, it must be mounted on a frame, a tree, or staked in the front yard visible from the street and approximately 20 feet from the edge of the street. Erosion control and tree protection is required at all times and must be inspected prior to commencing construction, all structural inspections, including footing, framing, and insulation inspections, will be made by the Codes Department. MEP inspections are required to be completed in order to reach the next step of an Oak Hill inspection (see Inspection tab for further detail). 

Inspections

The Codes Department will make both routine and required inspections during the construction process such as Pre Development Inspection, Foundation Inspection, Framing Inspection, and Insulation Inspection. When the completed structure meets the City's building codes, and all required inspections have been completed by the Codes Department, a Final Inspection will then be performed. The structure will be accepted.

Click Here to Request an Inspection

Occupancy

Following the completion of all inspections and the acceptance of the structure, a Certificate of Use and Occupancy (CO / U&O) must be requested through the Codes Department prior to a structure being occupied, which authorizes the homeowner to inhabit and use the facilities. Failure to obtain the Use and Occupancy permit may result in loss of insurance coverage in the event of a damage claim related to the work, delays in the sale of the property, and/or fines by the City of Oak Hill.