Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Harrogate, Tennessee

Harrogate’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Harrogate city limits

  • IRC amended: eliminates fire sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family dwellings and certain townhomes, eliminates the electrical chapter and chapter 11.
  • IECC amended: eliminates blower door test, duct testing and floor insulation requirements.
  • Ordinance #96 (May 2015), amended by Ord. #104 (Feb. 2017) per code citation.

  building code edition: 2018 IBC/IRC/IPC/IECC (IRC and IECC amended as stated)

  “the following codes are the codes to be used by the codes official: (1) 2018 international building code (ibc); (2) 2018 international residential code for one- and two-family dwellings (irc);”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Harrogate city limits

  • The zoning ordinance text itself is kept in the city recorder's office and is not reproduced in the code; district standards were not reviewed.
  • Code preface notes zoning map amendments and ordinances passed after the 2022 codification are not in the code.

  “land use within the city of harrogate shall be governed by the "zoning ordinance for the city of harrogate, tennessee," and any amendments thereto.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in flood-prone areas inside Harrogate city

  • Administered by the building official as ordinance administrator.
  • Permit application includes plans showing nature, location, dimensions and elevations of the area, structures, fill, storage and drainage facilities.
  • Applies under the Municipal Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Title 14, Chapter 3); flood hazard areas not mapped here.

  “application for a development permit shall be made to the administrator on forms furnished by the community prior to any development activities.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rental units inside Harrogate city

  • Only the chapter's section headings were reviewed (certificate, minimum standards, annual fee, agent, penalties); the operative text was not read.

  “no person or entity shall operate a short-term rental unit, including without limitation a grandfathered short-term rental unit, unless a short-term rental permit has been first obtained from the city of harrogate.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building permit fees inside Harrogate city

  • Fee is based on total valuation of construction.
  • Item (6) sets a separate fee for single mobile homes parked in designated mobile home parks (amount not reviewed).
  • Fee schedule dates from the 2022 codification; later amendments may exist.

  first $1,000 of valuation: 15 USD · each additional $1,000 up to $50,000: per 2.5 USD · each additional $1,000 up to $100,000: per 2 USD · each additional $1,000 up to $500,000: per 1.5 USD · each additional $1,000 thereafter: per 1 USD

  “the schedule of building permit fees shall be as follows based on total valuation of construction: (1) fifteen dollars ($15.00) first one thousand dollars ($1,000.00);”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits inside Harrogate city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Harrogate city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Harrogate city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Harrogate city
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Harrogate 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.