Water and Sewer Connection Permit in Knoxville, Tennessee (2026)
Your plumber can't tap into the public water main, and construction stops, until you have a Water and Sewer Connection Permit from the City of Knoxville’s Development Services Department—also called a Utility Service Connection Approval. Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 16 of 19 fields.
Analyzed from Water and Sewer Connection Permit
84% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Water and Sewer Connection Permit
A Water and Sewer Connection Permit in Knoxville is mandated by a combination of local ordinances and regulations that protect the city’s infrastructure and public health. These include the Knoxville Water & Sewer Regulations (governing connection standards), the Sewer Use Ordinance (detailing discharge limits, including strict standards for grease and fats from commercial kitchens), and local road and sidewalk ordinances that dictate utility work in public rights-of-way. The permit is issued by the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB), which acts as the authorizing body for all new service connections. This regulatory bundle ensures that your restaurant's plumbing and waste systems are correctly installed and will not damage public lines or cause environmental issues, like sewer blockages or water contamination.
Submitting plans and obtaining this permit is a non-negotiable prerequisite for receiving water and sewer service. Failing to secure this permit before connecting to the city’s utilities carries serious, immediate consequences:
- Service Disconnection: KUB can refuse to activate your water and sewer meters, preventing your restaurant from operating, or disconnect service for unauthorized connections.
- Fines and Required Remediation: You face daily administrative fines and may be required to pay for costly excavations and repairs to city infrastructure if your unpermitted work causes damage or violates discharge limits.
- Permit Revocation & Project Delays: Violations can lead to revocation of other site permits (like building permits), freezing construction and requiring you to re-submit applications, which adds weeks or months to your opening timeline. This can also trigger lease default clauses or cause lenders to withhold funding.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: In 2025, KUB revised its grease interceptor inspection requirements for commercial kitchens; verify current specifications when submitting connection plans.
Who Needs a Water and Sewer Connection Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required for all permanent facilities connecting to city water mains and sanitary sewer lines, as mandated by Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) and the City of Knoxville's plumbing code. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required due to restroom plumbing fixtures, bar sinks, and potential grease interceptors, falling under the same KUB connection standards as restaurants. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Typically exempt; potable water and wastewater are managed via onboard tanks serviced at a commissary, not via a permanent connection to city mains. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required for any fixed-location food service operation with plumbing for espresso machines, sinks, and restrooms, per KUB's Utility Service Rules. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (19 Fields)
16 of 19 auto-filledLegal Business Name
textEnter the exact legal name of your business entity as registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State, which must match your Articles of Incorporation/Organization or assumed name certificate.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using the restaurant's trade name (DBA) instead of the registered LLC or corporation name, which causes application rejection.
Business License or Registration Proof
checkboxCheck this box to confirm you will attach a copy of your active Knoxville Business Tax License or your Tennessee Secretary of State registration certificate.
COMMON MISTAKE: Checking the box but failing to include the required document, resulting in an incomplete application.
Restaurant Property Address
textProvide the complete street address, including unit/suite number, for the physical location where water and sewer service is requested, as listed on your lease or deed.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a mailing address or owner's home address instead of the restaurant's service location, which delays the site verification.
Property Within City Limits
checkboxCheck this box only if the restaurant property is located within the incorporated boundaries of the City of Knoxville, which is required for KUB service.
COMMON MISTAKE: Incorrectly checking the box for a property in Knox County but outside city limits, making the applicant ineligible for this permit.
Municipal Service Availability Confirmed
checkboxCheck this box to attest that you have verified public water and sewer mains are available at the street fronting your property, typically confirmed via a KUB service availability letter.
COMMON MISTAKE: Assuming service is available without verification; if mains are not present, a costly extension may be required.
Property Ownership Status
textEnter 'Owner,' 'Tenant,' or 'Authorized Agent'; if you are a tenant, you must also provide the owner's notarized authorization letter.
COMMON MISTAKE: A tenant entering 'Owner,' which invalidates the application due to lack of proper owner consent.
Proof of Ownership or Authorization Letter
checkboxCheck to confirm attachment of a deed/title for owners, or a notarized letter from the property owner authorizing the connection for tenants.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing an unsigned lease instead of a specific, notarized authorization letter for tenants, which is rejected.
Site Plan with Building Footprint and Utility Locations
checkboxCheck to confirm a scaled site plan will be included, showing the building, property lines, and proposed points of connection to the public water/sewer mains.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting a sketch without scale or utility locations, requiring resubmission and adding 1-2 weeks to review.
Floor Plans Showing All Plumbing Fixtures
checkboxCheck to confirm attached floor plans detail all sinks, toilets, dishwashers, and other water-using fixtures to calculate the required water supply and sewer discharge.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting fixture counts or water heater location, which prevents accurate capacity calculation by KUB engineers.
Engineering Drawings for Water/Sewer Connections
checkboxCheck to confirm submission of detailed engineering drawings showing pipe sizes, materials, depth, trench details, and connection specs, stamped by a Tennessee-licensed engineer.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting drawings without a professional engineer's seal, which is mandatory for commercial connections and causes immediate rejection.
ApronPrep auto-fills 16 of 19 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Water and Sewer Connection Permit Mistakes
1. Not Submitting Site-Specific Plumbing Diagrams
Submitting generic fixture lists or incomplete layouts, instead of the required detailed plumbing diagrams showing all proposed water supply and sewer drain lines with pipe sizes, slopes, and cleanout locations. This is the most common reason for a plan review rejection, requiring a full re-submission and adding 2–3 weeks to your timeline. Avoid this by having your plumber or engineer provide a detailed, scaled drawing that matches the exact layout of your new build or renovation, as required by Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) Engineering Standards.
2. Listing an Incorrect or Missing Legal Parcel ID
Entering the property address but missing the official Knox County Assessor's Parcel Identification Number (PIN), or using an outdated PIN from a recently subdivided lot. KUB's GIS system uses the PIN to verify your property's utility service zone and identify existing easements. An incorrect PIN will halt your application until you provide a corrected Property Deed or Tax Statement showing the valid number, adding a week of delay. Pull the correct PIN directly from your property's most recent tax assessment document.
3. Underestimating the Total Water Demand Calculation (GPM)
Incorrectly calculating the total Gallons Per Minute (GPM) demand for the restaurant by using residential fixture unit tables or omitting high-demand equipment like commercial dishwashers, pre-rinse spray valves, and dedicated ice machines. KUB uses this calculation to size your required water meter and verify system capacity. An inaccurate, low GPM estimate will lead to an undersized meter, which can cause low water pressure during peak hours and may require a costly permit revision and meter change-out after installation. Use the KUB-provided Commercial Fixture Unit table and include all equipment from your kitchen equipment schedule.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Water and Sewer Connection Permit
ApronPrep auto-fills 16 of 19 fields from one compliance interview.
No credit card required
Water and Sewer Connection Permit by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | Contact City of Knoxville Development Services for current Water and Sewer Connection Permit fees (fees vary by connection type and property size) | 7-14 business days for initial review; total process 2-4 weeks depending on completeness of submission and any required modifications |
| Memphis | Contact authority for current fees - typically ranges from $150-$500 depending on connection complexity | 4-8 weeks from complete application submission to permit issuance, plus 1-2 weeks for final inspection and connection authorization |
| Nashville | Contact authority for current fees - water connection and permit fees vary by project scope | 4-8 weeks from Pre-Con Meeting to permit issuance, depending on plan review requirements and any modifications needed |
Government Filing Fees
Contact City of Knoxville Development Services for current Water and Sewer Connection Permit fees (fees vary by connection type and property size)
Timeline: Varies
Step 1: Contact City of Knoxville Development Services (Plans Review & Permits division) to request Water and Sewer Connection Permit application
Contact the Plans Review & Permits Division via phone, email, or in person to confirm current application requirements and obtain the official packet. The city does not post a generic form online; the version you receive will be specific to your project type (new construction, remodel, etc.). Missing this initial step is a primary reason for application delays.
Step 2: Prepare detailed site plans showing building location, existing utilities, proposed connection points, and grease trap/interceptor specifications (required for restaurants)
Hire a professional engineer or land surveyor to draw site plans meeting Knoxville's design standards per the Knoxville-Knox County Development Regulations. Key details required include: invert elevations of proposed connections, dimensions to property lines, and the exact location and capacity of a required grease interceptor. Plans without a professional seal are the leading cause of immediate rejection.
Step 3: Complete Water and Sewer Connection Permit application with property information, business type, water demand estimates, and wastewater discharge details
Manually fill out the 5-page application, which has approximately 75 fields including daily water usage in gallons (calculated using local restaurant water use tables), the projected wastewater characteristics, and the full property legal description from your deed. ApronPrep can auto-fill all standard business and property information, reducing manual entry errors.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local department of public works (dpw) in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Tennessee.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification
state
Annual Report Filing
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe processing timeline varies significantly, as stated on the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) website. For a standard new connection, plan on a review period of 10 to IIII business days once complete application materials are submitted. The overall timeline is highly dependent on the complexity of your site plans and whether coordination with other approvals, like a Building Permit, is required.
The government filing fee for the permit application itself is $0–$0, per the KUB fee schedule. However, significant costs are associated with the required infrastructure work, including tapping fees, meter installation, and any necessary street restoration, which must be paid to KUB or its approved contractors. Contact KUB's Development Services to confirm current rates for your specific project scope. Not legal advice — verify with KUB.
No, a water and sewer connection permit is not transferable between properties or business locations. The permit is specific to the physical address and the approved plans for that site's infrastructure. If you move your restaurant, you must apply for a new permit at the new location, which will involve a new site plan review and installation inspection by KUB.
A water and sewer connection permit does not require periodic renewal. It is a one-time approval for the physical installation of the service lines. However, you remain responsible for ongoing compliance, which includes maintaining the Backflow Prevention Device Certification as required by KUB's Cross-Connection Control Program.
A KUB inspector will verify that the installation matches the approved plans and meets all code standards. They will check the trench depth, pipe material and size, proper bedding and backfill, the location of the tap, and the installation of the meter and backflow prevention assembly. The inspection must be passed before KUB will authorize final activation of the water and sewer service to your building.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Tennessee specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 19 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
- Knoxville — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Nashville — Department of Public Works (DPW)
This Form Is One of 60+ Requirements.
ApronPrep discovers every permit your city requires — including the ones generic checklists miss. Pick your city for the complete package.