Do I need a permit for pavers, driveway, or hardscape in Unincorporated Johnson County?
Unincorporated Johnson County does not issue residential building permits. Johnson County passed a resolution opting out of the state residential building program, so no county or state residential building permit is required in the unincorporated county. An owner may voluntarily request a state building permit and SFMO inspection (Tenn. Code Ann. 68-120-101(b)(1)(D)) to obtain a certificate of occupancy. Zoning, septic and electrical rules may still apply.
The requirements below come from Tennessee rules and describe the standard the work must still meet. They are not a statement that Unincorporated Johnson County will issue you a permit.
It depends. Whether pavers, driveway, or hardscape needs a permit in Unincorporated Johnson County comes down to the details of your project.
At-grade patios, walkways, and driveways of pavers are often exempt from a building permit, but retaining walls above a certain height, work in the public right-of-way, and impervious-coverage or stormwater limits can trigger permits. Verify grading, drainage, and right-of-way requirements with your local codes or public works department before starting.
Get your exact answer
Answer a few questions to see the specific permits, documents, and next steps for your pavers, driveway, or hardscape in Unincorporated Johnson County.
Check my projectDocuments you may need
- Permit application (where required)Sometimes required
- Site plan showing location, grading, and drainageLikely required
Possible inspections
- Grading / drainage review in some jurisdictions
- Final inspection where a permit is issued
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for pavers, driveway, or hardscape in Unincorporated Johnson County?
- It depends. Whether pavers, driveway, or hardscape needs a permit in Unincorporated Johnson County comes down to the details of your project. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Unincorporated Johnson County?
- The local building department for Unincorporated Johnson County handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.