Bolthole Index

Cannon County, Tennessee

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Cannon County, Tennessee

65Index Score / 100
#70 of 95 in Tennessee

Cannon County, Tennessee requires a building permit for covered residential construction before soil is disturbed at the site; the county rules cover new homes and additions over 30 square feet.1 The county also zones its unincorporated territory, while TDEC handles septic-system permits.23 Auburntown is excluded from the county Planning Department's stated building-code administration, so projects there should start with the town.4

At a glance

Building permit
Required for covered new residential construction and additions over 30 square feet1
Zoning
County zoning applies in unincorporated Cannon County2
Septic
TDEC's water-resources division issues the construction permit35
Owner-builder
Allowed for an owner's own single residence, subject to licensing limits6
RV living
Long-term occupancy on an individual parcel is not confirmed; ask Planning2
Tiny home
Placement and occupancy are not confirmed; ask Planning before purchase2
Floodplain
A development permit is required in regulated flood-hazard areas7

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Cannon County Planning Department

Building permits, zoning administration, planning and floodplain questions

(615) 563-5263

200 West Main St. Woodbury, TN 37190

Online permits →

Septic permits

TN Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) Division of Water Resources Septic System Assistance

Septic-system permitting assistance for Cannon County

931-206-6329

1221 South Willow Avenue Cookeville, TN 38506

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Cannon County, Tennessee?

Yes. Cannon County requires its residential building permit before soil is disturbed for covered work, and the county FAQ says the rules apply to new construction and additions over 30 square feet.1 The county has adopted building codes for residential construction, and its current administration covers Cannon County, including Woodbury, but excludes Auburntown.4

A manufactured or modular home is treated differently: the county material says no residential building permit is required merely to place one, but factory inspection, licensed installation and an installation decal still apply.8 Do not treat the county building permit as an all-in-one approval; zoning, septic, floodplain and electrical requirements remain separate.9

Who issues Cannon County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The Cannon County Planning Department is the practical starting point for building and zoning questions. Its official page says the department administers and enforces the county zoning resolution and supports the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.10 The office is at the Cannon County Courthouse, 200 West Main St. in Woodbury, and the published phone number is (615) 563-5263.10

Residential permit applications are available through the county's iWorQ portal.10 Because Auburntown is excluded from the county Planning Department's stated building-code administration, an Auburntown project should be cleared with the town before relying on the county process.4 For unincorporated parcels, ask Planning to confirm the zoning district, zoning compliance, floodplain status and which supporting approvals must accompany the building application.117

Does Cannon County have zoning?

Yes. Cannon County's zoning resolution applies to the unincorporated territory, while municipal rules may apply inside incorporated places.2 The unincorporated zoning map uses R-1 residential, C-1 commercial, A-1 agricultural and I-1 industrial districts.11

Lot size depends on district and utility availability. In R-1, the reviewed rules set 15,000 square feet with public water and sewer, 30,000 square feet with public water, and 2 acres without public water, or more if TDEC requires it.12 Building height and yard dimensions also depend on the parcel's district rather than one countywide figure.13 Tennessee's agricultural zoning exemption is conditional: the structure must be on land devoted to agricultural use and incidental to that enterprise, with stated exclusions including floodplain and certain nearby public facilities.14

How do septic permits work in Cannon County?

Tennessee's Division of Water Resources is the septic authority identified for Cannon County, and a septic-system construction permit is required before installing a new subsurface system or repairing a faulty one.35 The TDEC septic-assistance contact listed in the county subdivision regulations is at 1221 South Willow Avenue in Cookeville and can be reached at 931-206-6329.15

Treat soil suitability as an early purchase question: only 0.8% of mapped county soils avoid a “very limited” rating for a conventional septic drain field.16 TDEC may require soils information, and large conventional or alternative systems may require a licensed engineer's design.5 In unsewered R-1 areas, the zoning minimum is 2 acres or more if TDEC requires it, so a parcel meeting the acreage minimum still needs a workable septic location.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Cannon County?

We could not confirm a complete rule allowing or prohibiting long-term residence in an individual RV in unincorporated Cannon County. The zoning material regulates travel-trailer parks and says travel trailers and travel-trailer parks in the I-1 district are permitted only upon appeal, but that does not answer occupancy on a single private parcel.8 Ask the Cannon County Planning Department about the parcel's district, temporary occupancy and required utilities before buying or moving an RV onsite.10

We also could not confirm the placement and occupancy conditions for a tiny home or a countywide minimum dwelling floor area. County zoning still applies in unincorporated areas, and lot area, yards and height depend on district and utility service.212 A portable dwelling should not be assumed exempt from zoning, septic or floodplain approval.75

Building a home in Cannon County: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Cannon County, Woodbury or Auburntown; the county administers building codes in Cannon County and Woodbury but excludes Auburntown.4
  2. Ask the Cannon County Planning Department to identify the zoning district, applicable lot and yard rules, and floodplain status.1011
  3. Secure TDEC approval for the septic location and construction permit before installing or repairing a subsurface system.5
  4. Resolve driveway access; a driveway built or changed on state highway right-of-way requires a TDOT permit.18
  5. Apply for the county building permit before disturbing soil at the construction site.1
  6. If building as the owner, keep within the owner-builder conditions: one residence every two years for personal use, not resale, lease or rent, and contractor-licensing rules apply to hired work of $25,000 or more.6

What should you check before buying land in Cannon County?

Start with buildability, not just acreage. Nearly all mapped soils carry severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, while only 48.9% of county land is at a 15% slope or less.1619 A soil evaluation, a feasible reserve area and a buildable route for access can matter more than the parcel's gross size.

Check the zoning map and utility situation because unincorporated district rules vary with public water and sewer availability.17 Check FEMA mapping before grading because regulated flood-hazard development needs a permit before work begins.7 If access meets a state highway, obtain the required TDOT entrance permit before constructing or changing the driveway.18 For carrying cost, the county's effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, with a median annual property-tax bill of $1,091.2021

Watch-outs

  • Auburntown is excluded from the county Planning Department's stated building-code administration; ask the town which permits and codes apply there.4
  • A building permit does not replace separate zoning, septic, electrical or floodplain approvals.9
  • Long-term RV occupancy and tiny-home placement remain unconfirmed; ask Cannon County Planning about the specific parcel before committing.10

Sources

  1. Cannon County Building Permit FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  2. Official Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  3. Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  4. Amended Zoning Resolution and Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic System Construction Permit (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Cannon County Building Permit FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  7. Official Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  8. Amended Zoning Resolution and Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  9. Residential Permit FAQs (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Cannon County Planning Department (cannoncountytn.gov)
  11. Amended Zoning Resolution and Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  12. Amended Zoning Resolution and Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  13. Amended Zoning Resolution and Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  14. Exemption from County Zoning Regulation for Buildings on Land Used for Agriculture, Opinion No. 22-07 (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. TN Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) Division of Water Resources Septic System Assistance (cannoncountytn.gov)
  16. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  17. Amended Zoning Resolution and Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  18. Highway Entrance Permits (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Cannon County in Tennessee

65
County map
Cannon County highlighted among the Tennessee counties · colored by Index score

How Cannon County scores

Seclusion37100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency64100% ev.
Admin Boringness46100% ev.
Durability66100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$331kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$6,095Land / acre
57.2"Annual rain
3.9% of yrsSevere drought
7.8 / yr (+7.3)Mid-century 100°F days
14.1 daysMid-century dry spell
2.49" (+8.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.55×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,703Home insurance / yr
0.1% / yrInsurance growth
0.75%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
54,380People within 30 min
3,509,729People within 2 hr
63,604Radius comparison (15 mi)
56.7People / sq mi
0%Federal land
48.9%Land at 15% slope or less
0.8%Septic soil without severe limits
1,337 acWorkable land screen
59.7%Wooded land
51.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
58.3°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Cannon County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Cannon County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential building construction and additions governed by Cannon County permitting.

    • The permit is required before disturbing construction-site soil.
    • The FAQ states the regulations apply to new construction and additions over 30 square feet.
    • The 2025 administration document excludes Auburntown from the county Planning Department's stated administration.
    “The Building Permit is required prior to disturbing the soil of the construction site.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Residential building-code administration in Cannon County, including the county's IRC and IECC resolutions.

    • The county's building-code article incorporates the most recent Cannon County IRC Resolution and IECC Resolution.
    • The 2025 county building-permit document states administration covers Cannon County including Woodbury but excludes Auburntown.
    “The County has adopted the 2025 International Building Code (IBC), which includes the 2025 International Residential Code (IRC) and the 2025 International Energy Conservation Code (IEEC), as the County’s Building Code.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning in the unincorporated territory of Cannon County.

    • The official zoning ordinance establishes zoning districts and zoning-compliance permits for the unincorporated territory.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “A resolution establishing zoning districts and building codes within the unincorporated territory of Cannon County, Tennessee to regulate the uses of, and construction on, property therein”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and zoning-map administration in unincorporated Cannon County.

    • The resolution identifies four district classes: R-1, C-1, A-1, and I-1.
    • District boundaries are shown on the Cannon County Zoning Map dated 2018, as thereafter amended, and the map is maintained through the county zoning process.
    “For the purpose of this Resolution, Cannon County, Tennessee is hereby divided into four (4) classes of districts as follows: R-1 – Single Family Low Density Residential District C-1 – Commercial District A-1 – Agricultural District I-1 – General Industrial District”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Minimum lot areas in Cannon County zoning districts.

    • Requirements vary by zoning district and public-water availability.
    • R-1 requires 15,000 square feet with public water and sewer, 30,000 square feet with public water, and 2 acres without public water, or more if required by TDEC.
    • C-1 requires 30,000 square feet with public water and 1 acre without public water, or more if required by TDEC.
    • A-1 requires 30,000 square feet with public water and 2 acres without public water, or more if required by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment.

    R-1 lot area with public water and sewer: 15000 square feet · R-1 lot area with public water: 30000 square feet · R-1 lot area without public water: 2 acres (Or more if required by TDEC) · C-1 lot area with public water: 30000 square feet · C-1 lot area without public water: 1 acre (Or more if required by TDEC) · A-1 lot area with public water: 30000 square feet · A-1 lot area without public water: 2 acres (Or more if required by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment)

    “Minimum required lot area w/ public water and sewer 15,000 sq. ft Minimum required lot area with public water 30,000 sq. ft. [...] Minimum required lot area without public water 2 acres. [...] Minimum required lot area with public water 30,000 sq. ft. [...] Minimum required lot area without public water 1 acre.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Building height under Cannon County zoning districts.

    • The resolution prohibits buildings or structures from exceeding the height limit specified for the district in which located.
    • The reviewed excerpts did not identify a single countywide numeric height limit.
    “No building or structure shall hereafter be executed or altered so as to exceed the height limit, to accommodate or house a greater number of families, to have narrower or smaller front yards or side yards than are required or specified in the regulations herein for the district in which it is located.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured or mobile-home occupancy and mobile-home parks in unincorporated Cannon County.

    • The zoning resolution separately regulates mobile-home parks outside the corporate limits of Auburntown and Woodbury.
    • In the I-1 district, mobile homes, mobile-home parks, travel trailers, and travel-trailer parks are permitted only upon appeal.
    • A residential building permit is not required to place a manufactured or modular home under the county FAQ, but factory inspection, licensed installation, and an installation decal are required.
    “It is unlawful for any person to place or maintain three (3) or more mobile homes for living or sleeping purposes on any premises or tract of land in Cannon County outside the corporate limits of Auburntown and Woodbury unless they are contained within a planned mobile home park duly permitted pursuant to the provisions of this act.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water and sewer availability as a zoning dimensional condition in Cannon County districts.

    • R-1 lot-area requirements differ depending on whether public water and sewer or public water is available.
    • The reviewed ordinance did not establish a universal countywide requirement to connect every dwelling to water or sewer.

    R-1 minimum lot area with public water and sewer: 15000 square feet · R-1 minimum lot area with public water: 30000 square feet · R-1 minimum lot area without public water: 2 acres (Or more if required by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.)

    “Minimum required lot area w/ public water and sewer 15,000 sq. ft Minimum required lot area with public water 30,000 sq. ft. [...] Minimum required lot area without public water 2 acres. (Or more if required by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation)”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in areas subject to Cannon County flood-hazard regulations.

    • The ordinance applies to all areas within the unincorporated area of Cannon County.
    • FEMA flood-hazard areas, the latest Flood Insurance Study, Flood Insurance Rate Map, and supporting technical data are adopted by reference.
    • The development permit must be obtained before commencement of development activities.
    • More stringent overlapping restrictions prevail.
    • Applications may require scaled plans showing location, dimensions, elevations, structures, fill, stored materials, equipment, and drainage facilities.
    “This Ordinance shall apply to all areas within the unincorporated area of Cannon County, Tennessee. [...] A development permit shall be required in conformity with this Ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities.”

Tennessee rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A Tennessee property owner constructing a single residence for the owner's individual use.

    • The owner may have one permit every two years.
    • The residence must not be for sale, lease, or rent.
    • If the owner hires a contractor, the contractor is a prime and must be licensed and obtain the building permit for inspections.
    • Contracts may not be split into phases to circumvent the licensing law.
    • Anyone paid more than $25,000 by the owner is considered a prime and must be licensed.
    • The exemption is based on TCA 62-6-103 and Rule 0680-1-.22.

    owner permits: per 1 permit per two years · contractor payment threshold: > 25000 USD (Anyone paid in excess of this amount is considered a prime and must be licensed.)

    “one permit every two years to build their home as long as it is not for sale, lease, or rent (individual use).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — An owner constructing a single residence for the owner's own use in Cannon County.
      “Yes. Pursuant to TCA § 62-6-103, an owner of property may construct a single residence once every two years for his/her own use, as long as it is not for resale, lease or rent without being a licensed contractor. However, anyone hired by the homeowner whose portion is $25,000 or more would not be exempt from the contractors’ licensing requirements.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy for one- and two-family dwellings in Tennessee opt-out or non-code jurisdictions when the State Fire Marshal's Office inspects the dwelling during construction.

    • The owner or contractor may obtain a state building permit to request the inspection.
    • The Certificate of Occupancy is released only if the dwelling is determined to meet statewide building construction safety standards.
    • The source describes this process for opt-out or non-code jurisdictions and for new construction or additions to existing homes.
    “determined to meet the statewide building construction safety standards, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will release a Certificate of Occupancy”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Subsurface sewage disposal system permitting serving property in Cannon County.

    • The Cannon County subdivision form identifies the Division of Ground Water Protection as the issuing authority for SSD system permits.
    “Prior to any construction of a structure, mobile or permanent, the plans for the exact house/structure location must be approved and a SSD system permit issued by the Division of Ground Water Protection.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of a subsurface sewage disposal system on property in Tennessee, and repair of an existing faulty system.

    • A Septic System Construction Permit is required before installation or repair.
    • The application requires site and system information; soils maps may be required and large conventional or alternative systems require a licensed-engineer design.
    • The review generally takes 10 days and must be completed within 45 days.
    • New conventional permit fee is $400 up to 1,000 gallons per day, plus $100 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day.
    • New alternative permit fee is $500 up to 1,000 gallons per day, plus $150 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day.
    • Experimental SSDS permit fee is $500.
    • Repair permits have no permit fee; repair construction inspection fee is $100.
    • Contract counties Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby, and Williamson may require an additional permit.

    new conventional SSDS permit fee: 400 USD up to 1000 gallons per day design flow ($100 for each additional 1000 gpd flow) · new alternative SSDS permit fee: 500 USD up to 1000 gallons per day design flow ($150 for each additional 1000 gpd flow) · experimental SSDS permit fee: 500 USD · repair permit fee: No permit fee

    “Any individual or property owner who desires to have a subsurface sewage disposal (septic) system installed on their property or requiring repair to an existing faulty system must get a Septic System Construction Permit.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Buildings or structures on land used for agricultural purposes and subject to county zoning regulation in Tennessee.

    • The building or structure must be located on lands devoted to agricultural uses.
    • The building or structure must be incidental to the agricultural enterprise.
    • The exemption does not apply to agricultural lands adjacent or in proximity to state or federal-aid highways, public airports, or public parks.
    • The exemption does not apply to land located within the one-hundred-year flood plain.
    • The Attorney General opinion states that the provision applies to counties only and has no application to municipalities.
    • There is no blanket exemption for cotton gins, grain elevators, slaughterhouses, processing plants, or milk bottling plants; those structures qualify only when the statutory conditions are met.
    “it must be located on lands “devoted to agricultural uses;” and (2) it must be “incidental to the agricultural enterprise.””
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Construction, modification, revision, or change in use of a driveway on Tennessee state highway right-of-way.

    • The requirement applies to state highway right-of-way and does not establish a permit requirement for every driveway on every road.
    • Property owners must obtain the permit from TDOT.
    • County or municipal land-use regulations may also apply.
    “Under state law, a permit is required before construction of a driveway on state highway right-of-way, including the modification, revision, or change in use”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building permits administered by Tennessee's State Residential Building Code Enforcement Program for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses where the state program applies.

    • The state program does not apply where a local government enforces local building codes under an exemption or where the city or county has opted out by a two-thirds vote.
    • For construction costs above the maximum listed in the table, an additional fee of $50.00 applies for each additional $50,000 or fraction thereof.
    • The construction cost cannot be less than $60.57 per heated square foot of construction.
    • An HVAC and Plumbing Inspection is required for all new construction.
    • A slab other than Monolith Pour Inspection is required when slab and footing are cast separately.

    permit fee for construction cost $0 to $5,000: 100 USD · permit fee for construction cost $5,001 to $100,000: 350 USD · additional fee for plumbing and HVAC inspection: 100 USD (Applicable as stated in the fee table.) · additional fee for slab other than monolith pour: 100 USD (Applicable when slab and footing are cast separately.)

    “$0 to $5,000 | $100 | $100 | $100 $5,001 to $100,000 | $350 | $100 | $100”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential permit purchase and inspection process under Tennessee's State Residential Building Code Enforcement Program.

    • The state program applies to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses only in areas without the stated local-code exemption or opt-out.
    • A first-time CORE user must register for an account.
    • A building permit must be purchased online or at a local Issue Agent.
    • Inspections cover the foundation before pouring, framing/rough-in construction, and final construction.
    • One free re-inspection is available; each additional re-inspection requires an additional fee.
    • A homeowner may build a home only if it will be the homeowner's residence, not sold or leased, and the homeowner has not received a homeowner building permit during the preceding 24 months.
    • Detached garages, sheds, barns, and other detached structures not used for living purposes do not require a state residential building permit.
    • A permit is not required for installation of a manufactured or modular home, but custom site work such as a deck, patio, or stoop requires a permit.

    effective date for permit requirement for additions over 30 square feet: 2011-10-01 (Applies to additions to existing homes.) · free re-inspections per project: 1 inspection (Available if a required inspection is not passed the first time.)

    “A building permit must be purchased online or at a local Issue Agent. The cost of the building permit is based on the estimated cost”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    County legislative bodies adopting zoning regulations for portions of Tennessee counties outside municipal corporations.

    • The authority is exercised under the conditions and procedures in Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 13-7-101 through 13-7-119.
    • The grant applies to portions of counties outside municipal corporations.
    • County zoning authority does not authorize county building permits or regulation of buildings or structures on agricultural land when the building or structure is incidental to the agricultural enterprise, except on agricultural lands adjacent or in proximity to state federal-aid highways, public airports or public parks.
    • The agricultural-land limitation applies to counties only and has no application to municipalities.
    “Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-7-101, et seq., the General Assembly has expressly delegated the authority to county legislative bodies to enact zoning regulations and create a board of zoning appeals.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size under the Cannon County zoning resolution.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage limits under Cannon County zoning districts.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping, including camping vehicles or campsites, in unincorporated Cannon County.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes in unincorporated Cannon County.
5 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Living off-grid in Cannon County, Tennessee

Is Cannon County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Cannon County scores 65/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 54,380 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Cannon County, Tennessee?

Cannon County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Water Resources. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Cannon County, Tennessee?

Land in Cannon County runs about $6,095 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Cannon County?

Cannon County gets about 57.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.9% of years.

How remote is Cannon County?

A representative private-land location has about 54,380 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,509,729 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Cannon County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Cannon compares in Tennessee

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