Section 26a of the TVA Act

Online Application

Who should apply online

• Those seeking permits to build minor facilities including boat docks, piers, boathouses, fences, steps, and other minor shoreline-based or water-use structures.
• Those seeking reissuance of existing TVA permits following a change in ownership.

Who should not apply online

• Those seeking permits to build major projects and facilities including commercial marinas, community docks, barge terminals and mooring cells, utility crossings, bridges, culverts, roads, wastewater discharges, sewage outfalls and water intakes with lines greater than two inches in diameter or water intakes to be used for potable or drinking water, dredging, placement of fill, and others.
• Those seeking permission for activities not occurring on a TVA reservoir.

For the above permits, contact TVA at 1-800-882-5263 or one of the Army Corps of Engineers' offices listed below:

What you will need

You will need the following to complete the online form. It is important to have these ready before starting the application process so that the form does not timeout during the process.

• Location where activity will occur, including stream mile, subdivision, and lot number, if applicable.
• Detailed description of activity.
• Names and addresses of adjoining property owners.
• Up to three detailed and dimensioned drawings of the proposed activity (including plan and profile views) or current facilities in electronic file format (at least one file is required for all applications). A location map or photograph of the site is also beneficial. These files will be uploaded in the application process and should be ready before you start. File formats accepted are jpeg, tiff, pdf, dxf. Maximum combined file size is 8mb.
  Download sample drawings here
• Information pertaining to any previous permits applied for including TVA permit numbers and dates, if applicable.
• Credit card to pay required $200 fee.