Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Farragut?
It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Farragut comes down to the details of your project.
The Town of Farragut exempts one-story detached accessory structures with a floor area not over 200 square feet from a building permit, so a small shed may not need one, but larger sheds or any electrical, gas, or mechanical connection can trigger a permit; confirm with the Building Codes office at 865-675-2384. Even when a building permit is not required, the Town's note directs you to check with the Farragut Planning Division for zoning setbacks and approvals at 865-675-2384 before you build. Tennessee requires a state contractor license for residential building work of 25,000 dollars or more, and a Home Improvement license applies in Knox County, so verify licensing for a larger structure. A shed that will have electricity, plumbing, or a permanent foundation falls outside the usual small accessory building exemption, which generally covers simple unpowered structures only. Electrical and plumbing work each normally require their own permit and inspection even when the structure itself would have been exempt, and many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician or plumber to pull them. Zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage are reviewed separately from the building permit, so confirm placement with your local department before the shed is delivered or poured. Tennessee does not set one statewide shed threshold, and the 200 square foot figure from the model International Residential Code does not govern here. Who enforces residential construction depends on your address: where a city or county has neither taken on residential code enforcement itself nor opted out by a two-thirds vote of its legislative body, the State Fire Marshal's Office runs the residential permit and inspection programme using state-contracted inspectors. So the first question is not the size of the shed but which authority covers you. Confirm whether your city or county enforces its own code, has opted out, or falls under the State Fire Marshal programme, then ask that office for the size threshold. Zoning setbacks apply regardless, and a separate permit is needed for any electrical service run to the shed.
Documents you may need
- Building permit application through the Town of Farragut MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) portal for a detached accessory structure over 200 square feet or more than one storyLikely required
- Site plan showing the structure location and distances to property lines for the Planning Division zoning reviewrequired
- Structural or foundation details where a permanent foundation is usedSometimes required
- Permit applicationLikely required
- Site plan showing setbacks and structure sizerequired
- Foundation/anchoring and construction details for larger structuresSometimes required
Possible inspections
- Footing or foundation inspection where a permanent foundation is used, scheduled through the Town of Farragut MGO portal
- Final building inspection where a permit is issued
- Setback / footing inspection where a permit is issued
- Final inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Farragut?
- It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Farragut comes down to the details of your project. The Town of Farragut exempts one-story detached accessory structures with a floor area not over 200 square feet from a building permit, so a small shed may not need one, but larger sheds or any electrical, gas, or mechanical connection can trigger a permit; confirm with the Building Codes office at 865-675-2384. Even when a building permit is not required, the Town's note directs you to check with the Farragut Planning Division for zoning setbacks and approvals at 865-675-2384 before you build. Tennessee requires a state contractor license for residential building work of 25,000 dollars or more, and a Home Improvement license applies in Knox County, so verify licensing for a larger structure. A shed that will have electricity, plumbing, or a permanent foundation falls outside the usual small accessory building exemption, which generally covers simple unpowered structures only. Electrical and plumbing work each normally require their own permit and inspection even when the structure itself would have been exempt, and many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician or plumber to pull them. Zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage are reviewed separately from the building permit, so confirm placement with your local department before the shed is delivered or poured. Tennessee does not set one statewide shed threshold, and the 200 square foot figure from the model International Residential Code does not govern here. Who enforces residential construction depends on your address: where a city or county has neither taken on residential code enforcement itself nor opted out by a two-thirds vote of its legislative body, the State Fire Marshal's Office runs the residential permit and inspection programme using state-contracted inspectors. So the first question is not the size of the shed but which authority covers you. Confirm whether your city or county enforces its own code, has opted out, or falls under the State Fire Marshal programme, then ask that office for the size threshold. Zoning setbacks apply regardless, and a separate permit is needed for any electrical service run to the shed.
- Who issues the permit in Farragut?
- The local building department for Farragut 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.