Who needs a zoning approval and certificate of occupancy in Tennessee?
Issued by Your city or county codes and zoning office; the State Fire Marshal’s Office where the locality has no building code program, at step 3 of 6 in the opening sequence: approve the space.
Every kind of business in Tennessee
The Tennessee table lists this for every kind of business.
Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license. Where the city or county has not adopted its own program, the State Fire Marshal’s Office reviews plans and inspects commercial buildings.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 3 of 6: Approve the space
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your city or county codes and zoning office; the State Fire Marshal’s Office where the locality has no building code program.
Sources and dates
Department of Commerce and Insurance, State Fire Marshal’s Office codes enforcement pages; municipal ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the health permit and the liquor license.
Your city or county codes and zoning office; the State Fire Marshal’s Office where the locality has no building code program.
Step 3 of 6, approve the space. The steps before it: set up the business and register for tax.
Who needs a zoning approval and certificate of occupancy in Tennessee?
