Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Henderson, Tennessee

Henderson’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction, additions, renovations, major repairs and manufactured/modular buildings inside Henderson city

  • Threshold: construction value of $2,000 or more
  • Outbuildings or car covers under $2,000: contact the building official for approved location
  • General maintenance (painting, floor/roof coverings, sidewalks, patios, minor repairs) needs no permit

  permit threshold: >= 2000 USD (maintenance exempt)

  “building permits are required in the city of henderson and in the henderson planning region for any new construction, additions, renovations, major repairs, and manufactured or modular buildings with a construction value of $2,000 or more.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owner-built private residence inside Henderson city (owner still needs a permit)

  • Owner assumes liability and workers' compensation responsibilities
  • State law limits new home construction to one personal residence every two years
  • Not an exemption from permit; owner may obtain the permit

  “the property owner can obtain a building permit for their private residence. the owner assumes all legal responsibilities for liability and workman’s compensation insurance.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Henderson city

  • 2018 IRC and IFGC adopted with local exceptions
  • Electrical and accessibility follow the current state-adopted code
  • Fire: 2018 IFC and/or 2006 NFPA 101

  residential code: 2018 International Residential Code (with local exceptions)

  “what building codes are currently adopted by the city of henderson? 2018 international residential code (with local exceptions) 2018 international building code”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Henderson city

  • Staged inspections: footing, foundation wall, flooring, underground plumbing, framing, insulation, final; gas rough-in and final via Henderson utility department

  “what inspections are required? footing inspection: this is done after footing has been formed and all steel is installed.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Completed construction inside Henderson city

  • Final inspection/certificate of occupancy occurs after all work is complete and before occupancy

  “final inspection/certificate of occupancy: this is after all work has been completed but prior to occupancy of the building.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Henderson city limits, Chester County, TN

  • Zoning is by Ordinance 375 (regional zoning ordinance) and Ordinance 374 (zoning map), plus Ordinance 305 (mobile home park ordinance), and amendments; the ordinance text itself was not retrieved.
  • The city also administers zoning in a 'planning region' outside city limits (not covered by this claim).

  “land use within the city of henderson shall be governed by ordinance number 375, titled "regional zoning ordinance of the city of henderson, tennessee,"”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Henderson city

  • Regulation text not retrieved

  “enforcement of municipal and regional subdivision regulations.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building permits inside Henderson city

  • Fee schedule effective January 1, 2021
  • Fees doubled if work starts before permit
  • Plan review fee of 25% of permit fees (max $2,000) when valuation exceeds $250,000 other than one or two family dwellings
  • Pools over 24 inches deep: $50; house moving $100

  $2,001-$50,000: $30 for first $2,000 plus $6 per additional $1,000 USD · re-inspection fee: 30 USD

  “$2,001 to $50,000 $30.00 for the first $2,000 plus $6.00 for each additional thousand or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permits inside Henderson city

  • Building and zoning office at City Hall, 121 Crook Ave, Mon-Fri 7:00-4:00

  “issues building permits, performs multiple inspections on all residential and commercial construction”

Still unanswered

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

• Zoning districts — Inside Henderson city
• Minimum dwelling size — Inside Henderson city
• Minimum lot size — Inside Henderson city
• Setbacks — Inside Henderson city
• Lot coverage — Inside Henderson 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.