Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Alamo, Tennessee

Town of Alamo’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction within Alamo town limits

  • Local modifications in § 12-102 (e.g., permit invalid after 180 days without inspection)
  • Plumbing, fuel gas, residential codes (2018 editions) also adopted in Title 12

  IBC edition: 2018

  “the international building code,1 2018 edition, including appendices b, c, h, and i, are hereby referred to, adopted, and made part hereof”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land within Alamo town limits

  • The zoning ordinance text is published separately and held by the town recorder; not reviewed here.

  “land use within the town of alamo shall be governed by the alamo zoning ordinance, and any amendments thereto.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Alamo town zoning map (districts R-1, R-2, R-3, B-1, B-2, M-1, M-2)

  • Map updated February 8, 2019; the ordinance text with district standards was not found online.

  “m-1 industrial randolph rd. b-1 mobile home residential central business e. vine st.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Septic tanks, cesspools and field drains inside Alamo town limits

  • Town water and sewer commissioners decide whether a septic system may be used
  • State/county health department role not reviewed

  “no one shall have the right to use septic tanks, cesspools, field drains or the like within the town of alamo unless specifically authorized to use such tanks, pools, or drains by the water and sewer commissioners.”

• Septic permitLimited

  Septic use inside Alamo town limits

  • Septic permitted only with specific authorization from water and sewer commissioners
  • Separate state/county septic permit not reviewed

  “no one shall have the right to use septic tanks, cesspools, field drains or the like within the town of alamo unless specifically authorized to use such tanks, pools, or drains by the water and sewer commissioners.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Privies, septic tanks, cesspools inside Alamo town limits

  • Only town-approved septic design allowed, and only where authorized by commissioners

  “except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage, except for a septic tank of the design, manufacture, and construction approved by the town of alamo.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  New buildings inside Alamo town limits

  • Exception where the water and sewer commissioners specifically authorize not tying to town sewers
  • Customers pay the cost of sewer main extensions

  “no person, firm, or corporation shall construct any building in the town limits of alamo without tying such new building onto the town sewers unless specifically authorized not to tie to such sewers by the water and sewer commissioners.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivisions within Alamo town

  • Subdivision ordinance text is held by the town recorder; standards not reviewed

  “subdivisions within the town of alamo shall be governed by the alamo subdivision ordinance, which is incorporated by reference as if set out fully herein.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in special flood hazard areas in Alamo town

  • Based on FEMA FIS/FIRM panels 0150, 0161, 0163 dated September 25, 2009

  “a development permit shall be required in conformity with this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permit fees in Alamo town

  • Fee amounts are in a schedule on file with the recorder; schedule not reviewed

  “all building permit fees are set forth in a "schedule of fees" as authorized and approved from time to time by ordinance of the board of mayor and aldermen.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Alamo or Crockett County directly.

• Building permit — Building permits in Alamo town
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption in Alamo town
• Inspections — Building inspections in Alamo town
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Alamo town
• Minimum dwelling size — R-1 and other districts in Alamo town

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.