Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Cleveland, Tennessee

Cleveland’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Cleveland city

  • 2018 International Residential Code amended to exclude residential sprinkler systems for one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes, except townhomes of 5 or more units
  • 2018 energy conservation code modified to use 2009 R-value tables for IRC occupancies

  building code edition: 2018 IBC/IRC/IPC/IMC/IFGC/IPMC/IFC; 2017 NEC

  “the city of cleveland currently operates under the following building codes: 2018 international building code”

• InspectionsRequired

  All construction projects inside Cleveland city

  • Building, electrical, mechanical/gas and plumbing inspections are coordinated through the Building Division

  “this office is responsible for reviewing plans, issuing permits, and performing the required inspections of all construction projects within the city of cleveland.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Cleveland city limits (Bradley County, TN); the city adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance

  • PUD districts numbered PUD1 and higher take their development standards from the individual PUD ordinance

  “table 2 below sets forth the minimum lot area and minimum lot width for uses in zoning districts, except pud districts numbered pud1 and higher where development standards are determined by the pud ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Cleveland city

  • Districts include R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 mobile home parks, R-5, CN, PI, CG, CH, IL, IH, UC, B, IGC, ISE and numbered PUDs

  “2.14 il district (light industrial) app-c-43 2.15 ih district (heavy industrial) app-c-45 2.16 temporary uses”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 Single-Family Residential district inside Cleveland city

  • Table 2 excludes PUD districts numbered PUD1 and higher
  • In residential districts with more than one structure on a site, lot area is interpreted as maximum density: R-1 allows only single-family structures at 1 unit per 7,500 sq ft

  minimum lot area: >= 7500 sq ft · minimum lot width at building setback line: >= 75 ft

  “the r1 district allows only single-family structures at unit per 7,500 square feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — R-A Residential Agriculture district inside Cleveland city

    “r-a residential agriculture* 43,560 sf 100 feet r-i single-family residential 7,500 sf 75 feet”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwelling units on residential lots inside Cleveland city

  • Only in residential zoning designations where lots are at least 12,500 sq ft and contain a single-family residence
  • Not permitted in other zoning designations or in addition to multi-family structures
  • Non-income-producing occupancy by a family member or temporary house guest; continually occupied, income-producing separate dwelling for lease, rent or trade is strictly prohibited

  minimum lot size for accessory dwelling: >= 12500 sq ft

  “accessory dwellings may be permitted in all residential zoning designations where lots meet or exceed 12,500 square feet and contain a single-family residence.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Construction inside Cleveland city
• Owner-builder exemption — Inside Cleveland city
• Certificate of occupancy — Inside Cleveland city
• Minimum dwelling size — Inside Cleveland city
• Setbacks — R-1 and R-A districts inside Cleveland 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.