Business License:

Businesses located in the city limits of Adams are required to have a City of Adams business license once the business grosses $3,000. To obtain a license business owners may complete a Business License Application and pay a $15 license fee to the City Recorder.

Application Packets are available online and in person at Adams City Hall, 7617 Hwy 41 N Suite 101. City Hall hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 4 :00 pm.

Types of Business Licenses:

Minimal Activity – Minimal activity licenses are for businesses that gross between $3,000-$99,999 per year.
Standard Activity – Standard activity licenses are for businesses that gross more than $100,000 per year. Link to Standard Business License

Out of City Licenses:

Any business that is located outside of the city limits of Adams is required to have a City of Adams business license if the business grosses $100,000 or more inside the Adams city limits.

Tennessee Department of Revenue:

All businesses must register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue TNTAP program. Please visit the TNTAP system at https://www.tn.gov/revenue/e-file-and-pay

All businesses must register and pay their annual business tax report online with the Tennessee Department of Revenue, if you have a standard business license. The business tax liability is based on the gross receipts of the business.

For additional information on Registering and Licensing, please visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue at http://tn.gov/revenue or by phone at 615-253-0600.

If your business is NO LONGER OPERATING and you have a standard business license with City of Adams, you will need to CLOSE your business. Click Here

Building & Zoning:

DO I NEED A PERMIT? – CLICK HERE

Building Permit:

[A] 105.1 Required. Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends 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 any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system,
the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

Building Permit applications are required for any additions to property within the corporate limits of Adams, TN, to include swimming pools, storage buildings, fences, etc. Building Permits applications are available at City Hall or can be accessed and filled out using the link provided below. Once the form has been filled out in its entirety, please submit the application along with a detailed sketch and description of proposed building and/or improvement to the office of City Hall. Once the application is reviewed by the building code official/city staff, you will be notified via phone or mail as to whether or not your application is completed and a request for fee/payment will be made. Fees are based on square footage for new infrastructure. (The turn around time could be at least 30 days) Sperate permits are required from State of Tennessee for electrical and septic/sewer permits.

Click here – TN Department of Environment & Conservation – Septic/Sewer Permits and Letters

Click here – TN Department of Commerce & Insurance – Electrical Permits

Adams Zoning & Subdivision Regulations:

City of Adams Zoning Ordinance PDF

City of Adams Subdivision Regs PDF

Adams Permit Applications:

Building Permit Application PDF

Plumbing Permit Application PDF

Mechanical Permit Application PDF

Fee Schedule

Building Codes PDF

Work Exempt from permit:

Exemptions from
permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:
Building:
1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided that the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 m2).
2. Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
3. Oil derricks.
4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1.
6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any
basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and are installed entirely above ground.
10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings.
12. Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
13. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height.

Planning Commission/BZA:

The regular meeting of the Planning Commission shall be the First Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Bell School Complex. At such meetings the Commission shall consider all matters properly brought before the Commission. Pursuant to Title 13, Chapter 7, Part 2 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the membership of the Planning Commission is also designated as the membership of the Municipal Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA.) In carrying out the powers and functions of the BZA as prescribed by statute and by the Zoning Ordinance of Adams, Tennessee, the rules of procedure for any BZA meeting to hear an appeal shall follow the established By-Laws for the planning commission unless otherwise specified by statute or by the Zoning Ordinance.

Submittal & Meeting Calendar

14-106. – Fees. In order to have an item appear on the planning commission agenda, the following fees shall be paid at the time of submission of applications:

1.Preliminary Plat – Plat Approval Application PDF

$500.00 filing fee plus $50.00/per lot

2. Final Plat – Plat Approval Application PDF

$500.00 filing fee plus $50.00/lot

3. Resubdivision – Plat Approval Application PDF

$350.00 filing fee plus $50.00/affected lot

4. Site Plan – Site Plan Approval Application PDF

$400.00 (Less than 5,000sf building)

$600.00 (5,001sf to 20,000sf building)

$800.00 (Greater than 20,000sf building)

$400.00 (Amendment to Site Plan)

5. Amendment to Zoning Ordinance (text) and Subdivision Regulations

$500.00 application fee – Text Amendment Application PDF

6. Amendment to Official Zoning Map – Rezonings

$500.00 application fee – Rezoning Application PDF

Burn/Fire Permit: Visit BurnSafeTN

To report illegal burning, please call toll-free 1-888-891-TDEC

For information on what materials may NOT be burned in Tennessee, please visit Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Open Burning Guidelines by clicking here.

Permits are free. You may obtain a permit for leaf and brush piles. For broadcast burning for forestry, agricultural, or land clearing operations, call your local Division of Forestry office in your county for a permit.
Have an available supply of water and hand tools such as rakes and shovels nearby in case your fire should get away. Mechanized equipment may be necessary to contain fires when weather and fuel conditions make control difficult.
If you are burning wooded land be sure to let adjacent landowners know of your plans to burn at least 2 days in advance. This will help your neighbors and keep you in compliance with the law.
Your fire is your responsibility! You may be liable for any damages your fire and smoke cause to other people’s property!
Be sure you have enough help. Don’t try to burn more than you can handle by yourself. Keep debris piles small, gradually adding to the fires as they burn down. Large piles of burning debris generate intense heat capable of carrying relatively heavy embers up and across control lines.
Select a burn location away from overhanging tree branches and overhead and underground utility lines. Intense heat from a fire could ignite leaves of trees or cause damage to branches and tree trunks. It could also damage utility.
Don’t leave your fire until it is completely out and cold, regardless of the time of day. This requirement not only applies to homeowners, but also to contractors conducting debris fires while land clearing. Use plenty of water, douse the embers and mix them with dirt until they are cool and safe. Brush and debris piles can appear to be burned out, but a gust of wind can fan embers causing them to flame or blow across control lines. Within minutes a calm situation can become a wildfire!
SHOULD YOUR FIRE ESCAPE AND SPREAD, CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY.

Inside Adams City Limits: Please visit Adams Volunteer Fire Department to receive a burn permit for open flame burning.

Outside Adams City Limits: Visit BurnSafeTN

Licenses and Permits