Bolthole Index

Decatur County, Tennessee

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

81Index Score / 100
#17 of 95 in Tennessee

Unincorporated Decatur County, Tennessee is opted out of the State Residential Building Program, while Decaturville, Parsons and Scotts Hill participate in the state program1. Septic construction, modification and repair still require Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation approval2. Countywide zoning could not be confirmed, so ask the county mayor's office about parcel-specific land-use limits before relying on the building-program opt-out.

At a glance

Building permit
County is opted out; state residential permits apply in Decaturville, Parsons and Scotts Hill1
Zoning
Countywide zoning status could not be confirmed; ask the county mayor's office3
Septic permits
TDEC handles permits in Decatur County, including new systems, changes and repairs42
Owner-builder
One residence for personal use every two years; not for sale, lease or rent5
RV / tiny home living
Private-land occupancy rules could not be confirmed; campground examples do not answer residential use6
Subdivision rules
No county subdivision regulations reported for unincorporated land; Parsons has municipal regulations78
State-highway driveway
TDOT permit required before construction, modification or change of use9
Septic soil difficulty
Only 4.8% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field10

Who to call

Building permits

Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office

Requested inspections and certificates of occupancy for qualifying homes in opt-out jurisdictions

615-741-7170

500 James Robertson Pkwy Nashville, TN 37243-0565

Online permits →

Septic permits

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Program

Septic construction permits and related services for Decatur County

(888) 891-TDEC (8332)

Davy Crockett Tower 500 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

Decatur County is listed as OPT OUT of Tennessee's residential building program, but the incorporated jurisdictions of Decaturville, Parsons and Scotts Hill are listed as participants in the State Residential Building Program1. For a one- or two-family dwelling or townhouse inside those municipal limits, a state residential building permit is required11. In the county's opt-out area, an owner or contractor may still obtain a state permit and request State Fire Marshal inspections; a dwelling that meets statewide safety standards can receive a certificate of occupancy1213. Tennessee's owner-builder rule also lets a property owner construct one residence for personal use every two years without a contractor's license, provided the home is not for sale, lease or rent; hired work at or above $25,000 remains subject to contractor licensing5.

Who handles Decatur County building permits and inspections?

Start by locating the parcel relative to Decaturville, Parsons and Scotts Hill, because those municipalities participate in the state residential permit program while Decatur County is opted out1. Where the state program applies, a building permit is purchased online or from a local Issue Agent, and its cost is based on estimated construction cost1415. For a home in the opt-out area, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office is the useful building contact when financing or another transaction calls for inspected work and a certificate of occupancy1312. The residential building permit does not replace septic, electrical, grading, floodplain, zoning or other locally adopted approvals11. Decatur County also requires a new-address application with a map showing the proposed location, roads, driveways and neighboring structures; processing usually takes at least 5 days16.

Does Decatur County have zoning?

Decatur County's current countywide zoning status could not be confirmed from an explicit county ordinance or official no-zoning statement. Tennessee law authorizes county legislative bodies to adopt zoning for areas outside municipalities, so the residential building-program opt-out does not itself settle zoning3. An official state planning table reports no county subdivision regulations for unincorporated Decatur County, while Parsons is reported as having municipal subdivision regulations and Decaturville and Scotts Hill are reported without them7817. Subdivision status is not the same as zoning, and TDEC evaluation can still apply when land using septic is divided74. Ask the county mayor's office about setbacks, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage and floodplain review; inside a town, ask that municipality as well. Agricultural buildings have a conditional state-law protection from county zoning, with exceptions tied to certain highways, airports, parks and floodplains18.

How do septic permits work in Decatur County?

TDEC administers septic services in Decatur County because the county is not one of Tennessee's contract counties, and applications and fees may be submitted through the state service-request form4. A permit is required to construct, modify or repair a septic system, and the conventional-system permit should be obtained before dirt work or construction of the building pad begins2. After installation, the installer must arrange a final inspection before covering the system; approval leads to a Certificate of Completion19. Only 4.8% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make the soil evaluation an early purchase contingency rather than assuming a standard system will fit10. TDEC also requires subdivision evaluation for certain divisions intended for construction with septic, although divisions where every resulting tract is at least 5 acres fall outside the cited septic-page definition of subdivision4.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Decatur County?

Long-term RV residence and tiny-home occupancy on private land in Decatur County could not be confirmed, either for the unincorporated county or its municipalities. The county describes long- and short-term RV campsite rentals at Perryville Marina, but that parcel-specific commercial use does not establish what is allowed on a private homesite6. The county also describes tent and RV camping at Beech Bend Campground; one particular site is limited to daily or weekly rental for a maximum of 3 weeks, which likewise is not a countywide private-land rule2021. Before buying for an RV or tiny-home plan, ask the county mayor's office about the parcel and ask the applicable municipality if it lies inside town limits. Separately, any septic system serving the use needs the state permit and inspection process219.

Building a home in Decatur County: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm whether the site is in unincorporated Decatur County or inside Decaturville, Parsons or Scotts Hill; the municipalities participate in the state residential program while the county is opted out1.
  1. Ask the county mayor's office or municipality about zoning, floodplain review, setbacks and the intended dwelling type, because those parcel-level rules could not be confirmed countywide.
  1. Arrange the soil work and obtain the TDEC septic construction permit before grading the building pad222.
  1. Apply for the new county address with the required location and driveway map; requests usually need at least 5 days16.
  1. If access meets a state highway, obtain TDOT permission before building, changing or repurposing the driveway9.
  1. Keep the septic system uncovered until the required final inspection is complete19. In an opt-out area, arrange voluntary State Fire Marshal inspections if you need a certificate of occupancy1213.

What should you check before buying land in Decatur County?

Treat septic feasibility as a deal-stage question: only 4.8% of Decatur County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field10. Confirm the boundary and municipal status because state residential permits apply in Decaturville, Parsons and Scotts Hill but the county is opted out1. For a state-highway entrance, TDOT permission is required before driveway construction, modification or change of use9. Water and sewer connection requirements could not be confirmed countywide, so ask the utility serving the specific parcel before assuming a well or septic system is available. The county is 72% wooded and 68.6% of its land has slopes of 15% or less, useful screening clues that do not replace a parcel survey or site visit2324. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, with a median annual bill of $6542526.

Watch-outs

  • Decatur County's state-program opt-out does not cover Decaturville, Parsons or Scotts Hill; those municipalities participate in the State Residential Building Program1.
  • Countywide zoning, private-land RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, minimum dwelling size and setbacks could not be confirmed; Tennessee allows counties to adopt zoning, so ask the county mayor's office and the applicable municipality before buying3.
  • A county subdivision regulation may not apply in unincorporated Decatur County, but TDEC septic subdivision evaluation can still apply when land is divided for construction74.

Sources

  1. Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors, quoted and re-checked
  2. Septic System Construction Permit, quoted and re-checked
  3. Tennessee Attorney General Opinion No. 10-108 (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  4. Online Application for Septic Related Services, quoted and re-checked
  5. Residential Permit FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  6. Decatur County – Attractions and Outdoor Recreation, quoted and re-checked
  7. Dedications along Existing Public Rights-of-Way, Balancing Property Rights with Local Authority over Land Use Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  8. Dedications along Existing Public Rights-of-Way, Balancing Property Rights with Local Authority over Land Use Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  9. Highway Entrance Permits, quoted and re-checked
  10. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  11. Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors, quoted and re-checked
  12. Statewide Building Construction Code Inspections in “Opt-Out” or “Non-Code” Jurisdictions, quoted and re-checked
  13. Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office (tn.gov)
  14. Residential Permits (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Residential Building Permit Fees (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Application for New Address, quoted and re-checked
  17. Dedications along Existing Public Rights-of-Way, Balancing Property Rights with Local Authority over Land Use Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  18. County Zoning of Residential Structures on Land Used for Agricultural Purposes, quoted and re-checked
  19. Subsurface Sewage Disposal System (SSDS) Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  20. Decatur County – Attractions and Outdoor Recreation, quoted and re-checked
  21. Decatur County – Attractions and Outdoor Recreation, quoted and re-checked
  22. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Program (tn.gov)
  23. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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

Decatur County in Tennessee

81
County map
Decatur County highlighted among the Tennessee counties · colored by Index score

How Decatur County scores

Seclusion55100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency69100% ev.
Admin Boringness87100% ev.
Durability55100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost92100% 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 →

$188kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$2,946Land / acre
55.4"Annual rain
4.5% of yrsSevere drought
13.3 / yr (+12)Mid-century 100°F days
14.7 daysMid-century dry spell
2.38" (+9.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.54×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,662Home insurance / yr
1% / yrInsurance growth
0%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
22,577People within 30 min
3,269,836People within 2 hr
24,393Radius comparison (15 mi)
34.9People / sq mi
1.1%Federal land
68.6%Land at 15% slope or less
4.8%Septic soil without severe limits
9,919 acWorkable land screen
72%Wooded land
50.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
59.8°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Decatur County

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

Decatur County rules

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    State residential building-code status for one- and two-family dwellings in Decatur County and its municipalities.

    • The official state jurisdiction list identifies Decatur County as OPT OUT.
    • The same list identifies Decaturville, Parsons, and Scotts Hill as SRBP jurisdictions.
    • In opt-out jurisdictions, owners or contractors may obtain a state building permit and request State Fire Marshal inspections; applicability and process depend on the jurisdiction and project.
    • This claim concerns residential building-code status and does not determine commercial-code requirements.
    “Decatur County | OPT OUT | Terry Hulen | [email protected] ([email protected]) | 731-607-6395 Decaturville | SRBP | Parsons | SRBP | Scotts Hill | SRBP |”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not adopted (with conditions) — Application of Tennessee statewide residential building standards to one-family and two-family dwellings in Decatur County's county jurisdiction, excluding separately listed municipalities.
      “Decatur County | OPT OUT | Terry Hulen | [email protected] ([email protected]) | 731-607-6395 [...] OPT OUT - The jurisdiction has passed a resolution opting out of the program”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    RV camping-site rental at Beech Bend Campground, including Lot #29 at Beech Bend Park, five miles east of Parsons in Decatur County.

    • The source describes RV sites for camping trips, not general residential occupancy.
    • Lot #29 may only be rented at the daily or weekly rate and for a maximum of three weeks at a time.
    • The page provides a reservation link and states that rates may be subject to change.
    • Many sites have water and electrical hookups, and the campground has a dump station with water for motorhome and RV campers.

    maximum rental duration for Lot #29: 3 weeks (Lot #29 only; the source does not state that the three-week limit applies to every campground site.) · Lot #29 rental rate period: daily or weekly

    “Please note: Lot #29 (Site on the point) can only be rented at the daily or weekly rate and a max of three weeks at a time.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed — RV campsite occupancy at Perryville Marina in Decatur County, Tennessee.
      “We are a Full-Service Marina offering Boat Rentals and Service, Boat Slips, RV Camp sites with long and short-term rentals, fuel, (Non-Ethanol Fuel), Pump Out Services for boats, Pontoon Boat Rentals, Fishing Bait, Tackle, and much more.”
  • Camping on your landAllowed (with conditions)

    Temporary tent and RV camping at Beech Bend Campground in Beech Bend Park, five miles east of Parsons in Decatur County.

    • Camping is offered through tent and RV sites at the campground.
    • Tent-only areas exist within the park.
    • The page provides a reservation link, and rates may be subject to change.
    • Lot #29 is limited to daily or weekly rental and a maximum of three weeks at a time.

    maximum rental duration for Lot #29: 3 weeks (Lot #29 only; no general campground-wide duration is stated.)

    “We offer both tent and RV sites for your camping trips, along with our picnic facilities.”
  • Subdividing landNot regulated

    County-level subdivision regulations in Decatur County, including unincorporated areas, as reported in the official TACIR status table.

    • The source reproduces the 2020 status of planning in Tennessee's counties and cities; it does not establish whether the county adopted regulations after that status date.
    • Parsons is separately listed as having subdivision regulations, while Decaturville and Scotts Hill are separately listed as not having subdivision regulations.
    • Other state or local requirements may still apply.
    “County Has Subdivision Regulations? Cities in the County WITH Subdivision Regulations Cities in the County WITHOUT Subdivision Regulations [...] Decatur No Parsons Decaturville, Scotts Hill”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Decatur County Emergency Communications District applications for new addresses associated with proposed structures and driveways.

    • An accurate map showing the proposed location, roadways, driveways, and neighboring structures must be submitted.
    • Requests without the required map cannot be processed.
    • Requests are handled first come, first serve and usually take a minimum of 5 days to process.
    • The form states that applicants should not call to check status or expedite the request.

    minimum processing time: >= 5 days (The form says requests usually take a minimum of 5 days.)

    “You must also submit an accurate map or your proposed location, roadways, driveways, and neighboring structures with this application.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    The county's official departments page lists no planning, zoning, or codes department, indicating no countywide zoning.

    Decatur County Departments ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Tennessee rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    State residential building permits for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in Tennessee jurisdictions where the State Fire Marshal's Office administers the residential building permit program.

    • The state permit is required only in some areas because other jurisdictions may enforce local residential building codes.
    • A county legislative body may remove unincorporated areas from the state program or a city legislative body may remove the city by a two-thirds vote.
    • The state permit does not replace grading or fill approval, floodplain compliance, septic or sewer permits, electrical permits, or zoning approval.
    • Local governments remain responsible for locally adopted codes and other requirements.
    “Why is the state residential building permit only required in some areas of the state?”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — State residential building permits for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in Decatur County, including its incorporated municipalities.
      “A state residential building permit is required if construction is located within the city limits of: [...] Decaturville [...] Parsons [...] Scotts Hill”
  • 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 of property constructing a single residence in Tennessee for the owner's own use.
      “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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Subsurface sewage disposal system permitting and related septic services in Decatur County, including construction, repair, modification, and alternative septic-system permits.

    • Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation administers septic services for non-contract counties through the Division of Water Resources.
    • Decatur County is not included in the official list of nine contract counties that administer their own septic-service submissions: Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby, and Williamson.
    • A septic-system permit is required before installation, repair, or modification work proceeds.
    • For a conventional septic system, the permit should be obtained before starting dirt work or construction of any building, including the building pad.
    • Alternative septic systems require an extra-high intensity soils map prepared by a Tennessee-licensed soil consultant before evaluation.
    • Subdivision evaluation is required before dividing a tract or parcel into two or more lots, sites, or other divisions for immediate or future construction where a septic system is or will be used, except that a division into two or more tracts or parcels where all are five acres or larger is not a subdivision under the cited page.
    • Applications and fee payments for non-contract counties may be submitted through the TDEC service request form.

    subdivision exemption lot size: >= 5 acres (A division into two or more tracts or parcels when all are 5 acres or larger is excluded from the cited definition of subdivision.) · third-party permit-package review: 10 business days (The department or contract county reviews the submission within this period and may approve, reject for deficiencies, or request additional information.)

    “Permit packages and Certificate of Completion Packages for sites located in the contract counties listed below should be submitted directly to the contract county. Contract Counties: Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby & Williamson [...] For all non-contract counties, applications and fee payments for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Construction Permits can be submitted through the service request form.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • State — Subsurface sewage disposal systems serving property in Decatur County, Tennessee.
      “Permit packages and Certificate of Completion Packages for sites located in the contract counties listed below should be submitted directly to the contract county. Contract Counties: Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby & Williamson [...] For all non-contract counties, applications and fee payments for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Construction Permits can be submitted through the service request form.”
  • 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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction, modification, or repair of a septic system serving residential, commercial, or industrial property in Decatur County.
      “A septic system permit is required for the construction, modification or repair of a septic system.”
    • Required — Construction, modification, repair, or installation of a subsurface sewage disposal system in Decatur County.
      “A septic system permit is required for the construction, modification or repair of a septic system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Completed septic-system installations in Decatur County.

    • The final inspection occurs before the system is covered.
    • If approved, TDEC issues a Certificate of Completion.
    • TDEC states that the Division inspects each SSDS installation for compliance with permit conditions and regulatory requirements.

    new conventional or large-diameter graveless-pipe construction inspection fee: 100 USD · alternative SSDS construction inspection fee: 200 USD · repair construction inspection fee: 100 USD

    “When installation is complete, the installer will contact the local Environmental Scientist to schedule a final inspection before the system is covered. If the septic system installation is approved, the Environmental Scientist will issue a Certificate of Completion.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Installation of a septic system in Decatur County after construction under a Tennessee SSDS permit.
      “When installation is complete, the installer will contact the local Environmental Scientist to schedule a final inspection before the system is covered.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Residential, commercial, or industrial buildings on lots or parcels abutting a street or other public way containing a sanitary sewer, where the applicable Tennessee utility system has issued bonds payable for sewer services.

    • The cited Tennessee statute grants qualifying utility systems authority to require connection.
    • The building must exist on the abutting lot or parcel.
    • The owner, tenant, or occupant may be required to cease using other means for disposal of sewage, sewage waste, or other polluting matter.
    • This source describes authority to require sewer connection; it does not establish that every Tennessee property has sewer available.
    “Utility systems within the State of Tennessee that have issued bonds payable for sewer services are granted authority in TCA § 7-35-201 (1) to "require the owner tenant or occupant of each lot or parcel of land that abuts upon a street or other public way containing a sanitary sewer and upon which lot or parcel a building exists for residential, commercial or industrial use, to connect the building with the sanitary sewer and to cease to use any other means for the disposal of sewage, sewage waste or other polluting matter."”
  • 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.””
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — County zoning regulation of buildings and structures on agricultural land, including farm residences, in unincorporated Decatur County.
      “To be exempt from county zoning regulation under Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-7-114, a building or structure must meet two requirements: (1) it must be located on lands “devoted to agricultural uses;” and (2) it must be “incidental to the agricultural enterprise.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-7-114(a). The exemption does not apply, however, if the building or structure is located on agricultural lands in proximity to state federal-aid highways, public airports, or public parks. Id. Nor does the exemption apply if the building or structure is located on land located within the one-hundred-year flood plain. Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-7-114(c)(2).”
  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Driveway construction, modification, revision, or change in use within Tennessee state highway right-of-way, including applicable roads in Decatur County.
      “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 of any existing driveway facilities. Property owners must obtain a permit from TDOT.”
  • 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”
  • 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.”

Inside cities and towns in Decatur County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building-code enforcement for the City of Parsons, Tennessee.

    • The City of Parsons states that the state performs building-code enforcement and that the International Building Code Edition applies.
    • The city separately requires inspections, zoning permits, and building permits.
    • The state jurisdiction list identifies Parsons as SRBP.
    “A state residential building permit is required if construction is located within the city limits of: [...] Parsons”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land, buildings, and uses within the City of Parsons, Tennessee.

    • The ordinance applies within the City of Parsons and uses the zoning map maintained on file at Parsons City Hall.
    • The City of Parsons requires zoning permits and inspections along with building permits.
    • The ordinance contains districts, permitted and appeal uses, site-plan review, and enforcement provisions.
    “Section A. Title Articles II through XII shall be known as the "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Parsons, Tennessee." The map herein referred to, which is identified by the title "Zoning Map of Parsons, Tennessee," which is on file in the Parsons City Hall is hereby adopted and made a part of this ordinance.”
  • Subdividing landNot regulated

    Subdivision regulations within the incorporated municipalities of Decaturville and Scotts Hill, Decatur County, Tennessee, as reported in the official TACIR status table.

    • The source reproduces the 2020 status of planning in Tennessee's counties and cities; later changes were not established.
    “County Has Subdivision Regulations? Cities in the County WITH Subdivision Regulations Cities in the County WITHOUT Subdivision Regulations [...] Decatur No Parsons Decaturville, Scotts Hill”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

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

  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts applicable in Decatur County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings in unincorporated Decatur County.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential lots in unincorporated Decatur County.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks in unincorporated Decatur County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage for development in unincorporated Decatur County.
8 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Decatur County, Tennessee

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

Decatur County scores 81/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property.

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

Decatur County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) - Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Program. 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 Decatur County, Tennessee?

Land in Decatur County runs about $2,946 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Decatur County?

Decatur County gets about 55.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 4.5% of years.

How remote is Decatur County?

A representative private-land location has about 22,577 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,269,836 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 Decatur County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Decatur compares in Tennessee

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