Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Pikeville, Tennessee

Pikeville’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction on buildings or structures inside Pikeville city limits

  • Applies where the cost of the work exceeds $100.00.
  • Permit is obtained from the town recorder.
  • Failure to obtain a permit is a misdemeanor.

  cost threshold: > 100 USD

  “it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or association to construct, reconstruct, repair, enlarge, extend, or work upon any building or structure of any character within the town of pikeville where the cost of such exceeds the sum of $100.00 without first obtained a permit from the town recorder.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Buildings and structures inside Pikeville city limits

  • The MTAS code copy (last updated 2018) adopts the 1999 Standard Building Code; a later amendment may exist and was not checked.
  • Separate plumbing, electrical, gas, housing and energy chapters exist in Title 12.

  adopted code: Standard Building Code, 1999 edition

  “the standard building code,2 1999 edition, as prepared and adopted by the southern building code congress international, inc., is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as a part of this code”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Pikeville city limits (Bledsoe County)

  • The zoning ordinance text itself is published as a separate document held by the city recorder; it was not found online, so district standards are not recorded.
  • Municipal planning commission created under T.C.A. 13-4-101 (Title 14, ch. 1).

  zoning ordinance: 5-14-018 (amended June 2018 version; amendments may exist)

  “land use within the city of pikeville shall be governed by ordinance number 5-14-018 titled "zoning ordinance, city of pikeville, tennessee," and any amendments thereto.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Pikeville city limits where public sewer is not available; city code requires county health department approval

  • Applies where public sewer is not available.
  • System must comply with all local or state regulations.

  “before commencement of construction of a private sewerage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written approval from the county health department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Pikeville city limits where public sewer is unavailable

  • Written approval from the county health department is required before construction starts.
  • Application is on a form furnished by the county health department.

  “before commencement of construction of a private sewerage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written approval from the county health department. the application for such approval shall be made on a form furnished by the county health department”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Properties used for human occupancy inside Pikeville city's sewer service area

  • Connection required within 60 days after official notice.
  • Sewer is 'available' when a public main is in an easement, right-of-way, road or public access way abutting the property.
  • Where sewer is not available, a private system complying with § 18-205 is allowed.
  • Manufacturing facilities may discharge under an NPDES permit.

  connection deadline after notice: 60 days

  “where public sewer is available property owners shall within sixty (60) days after date of official notice to do so, connect to the public sewer. service is considered "available" when a public sewer main is located in an easement, right-of-way, road or public access way which abuts the property.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Pikeville or Bledsoe County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Inside Pikeville city
• Inspections — Inside Pikeville city
• Certificate of occupancy — Inside Pikeville city
• Zoning districts — Inside Pikeville city
• Minimum dwelling size — Inside Pikeville city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.