Selling a house in Washington County
Washington County is home to Johnson City and Jonesborough, Tennessee's oldest town and the county seat. Johnson City bills its own city property tax on top of the county Trustee bill, and parts of the city extend into Sullivan County.
By private act, Chancery Court has exclusive jurisdiction over probate and estates here, through the Clerk and Master. In Jonesborough's historic zones, exterior work, including re-roofing and paint color, needs a Certificate of Appropriateness before a building permit.
Local offices to know
Who to call about the paperwork behind a sale in Washington County. County seat: Jonesborough.
| What it's for | Office | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Recording deeds | Washington County Register of Deeds Phone from the UT County Technical Assistance Service directory | (423) 753-1644 |
| Property taxes and payoffs | Washington County Trustee Phone from the UT County Technical Assistance Service directory | (423) 753-1602 |
| Probate and estates | Chancery Court, Clerk and Master Phone from the UT County Technical Assistance Service directory | (423) 788-1450 |
| Code enforcement (Johnson City) | City of Johnson City Codes Enforcement | (423) 434-5775 |
Worth knowing in Washington County
- Jonesborough's historic zones require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Zoning Commission for exterior work, including re-roofing, paint color, storm windows and additions, before a building permit. Unpermitted work can draw daily fines. Source
- Johnson City's Board of Dwelling Standards and Review decides whether homes are fit to live in and can order repairs. Contact: (423) 434-6071. Source
Guides for your situation
- Inherited house or probate
How selling an inherited or probate house works in Tennessee, and when a cash sale makes sense.
- Facing foreclosure
How foreclosure works in Tennessee, how much time you may have, and where selling fits.
- Behind on property taxes
What happens when Tennessee property taxes go unpaid, how tax sales and redemption work, and how back taxes are handled in a sale.
- House needs major repairs
Fix it first, list it as-is, or sell for cash: what each path actually nets you.
- Rental with tenants
Selling an occupied rental, tired-landlord sales and what happens to the lease.
- Divorce
How a house sale works when both spouses own it, and why speed and certainty matter.
- Code violations or vacant house
Selling a vacant house or one with open code enforcement cases, as-is.
Office details checked November 2026. Offices move and numbers change, so confirm on the official site.