Knoxville, TN Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

An owner, authorized agent or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace electrical systems or equipment, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit for the work.

10.30.1 Exception to Permit Requirement. Where repair or replacement of electrical systems or equipment must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day of to the department of Plans Review and Inspections.

Delete the text of Section 10.30.2 Expiration in its entirety and substitute the following:

-Every permit shall become invalid after the following timeframes based on the project valuation:◦Valuation less than $500,000 will expire in 1 calendar year.◦Valuation $500,000 to $20,000,000 will expire in 2 calendar years.◦Valuation exceeding $20,000,000 will expire in 3 calendar years.-All related MEP permits will expire in the same timeframe. All stand-alone MEP permits will expire in 1 calendar year. 10.30.3 Placement of Permit. The electrical permit or copy shall be kept on the site of the work until the completion of the project.