Knox County is our home market, and with about 507,000 residents it is the largest county we serve. It is also the one where the building rules change most within a short drive. The City of Knoxville, the Town of Farragut and unincorporated Knox County each run their own permits and inspections, so the office you deal with depends on which side of a city line the house sits. The county's adopted amendment to the residential code sets a 10 psf ground snow load, rates weathering as severe and does not require an ice barrier underlayment, a real difference from roofing advice written for northern states. Storms here are not hypothetical: on 7 August 2023 an EF-2 tornado caused significant roof damage, including lifted roof decking, to homes and apartments in west Knox County, the county's first tornado that strong since 1993. This page gathers those local facts in one place.
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Permits and building code in Knox County, TN
Building permits in Knox County are handled by Knox County Codes Administration.
Outside the City of Knoxville and the Town of Farragut, Knox County enforces the 2018 International Residential Code with local amendments. Re-roofing is not on the county's list of work exempt from a permit; the only item the county added to that list is fences. Source
Storm history in Knox County
What affects roofing costs in Knox County, TN
| Factor | How it affects the price |
|---|---|
| Which jurisdiction you are in | Knoxville, Farragut and unincorporated Knox County have different permit rules, so permit and inspection steps vary by address. |
| Roof deck condition | Older homes in established neighborhoods often need some decking replaced once the old roof is off, which is only known after tear-off. |
| Roof pitch and height | Steep or two-story roofs need more safety setup and staging time than a low single-story ranch. |
Every home is different, so we price every job individually. You get a clear estimate after a free inspection, before any work begins. Request your free inspection.
Roofing services we provide in Knox County
Cities we serve in Knox County
Common questions about roofing in Knox County
Does Knox County require an ice barrier under shingles?
No. Knox County's adopted amendment to the residential code lists ice barrier underlayment as not required. Manufacturers' installation instructions can still call for it in valleys and at eaves, and we follow them.
Who handles building permits in Knox County?
It depends on the address. The City of Knoxville and the Town of Farragut run their own permit offices; everywhere else in the county, Knox County Codes Administration does.
How strong was the 2023 west Knox County tornado?
The National Weather Service rated it EF-2 with 130 mph peak winds on a 3.8-mile path. It caused significant roof damage in the Lovell Cove and Lovell Crossing area.
Get a free roof inspection in Knox County
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