Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Smithville, Tennessee

Smithville’s own rules

• Building permitLimited

  Accessory structures and fences inside Smithville city limits.

  • The code changes the International Building Code's listed permit exemptions for accessory structures and fences so that those items require permits.

  “Chapter 1 Section 105.2 - work exempt without permit: Paragraph 1 and 2 relating to accessory structures and fences are changed to require permit.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Smithville city limits.

  • The cited municipal-code text adopts the 2000 International Building Code with amendments by reference.

  International Building Code edition: 2000 (with amendments)

  “The International Building Code, 2000 edition, with amendments, is hereby adopted by reference as though it was copied fully herein.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Permitted consumer gas-piping work inside Smithville city limits.

  • The certificate is issued only at completion of the permitted work and only if inspection finds compliance with the gas code.

  “The inspector shall issue a certificate of approval at the completion of the work for which a permit for consumer piping has been issued if after inspection it is found that such work complies with the provisions of the gas code.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land use inside Smithville city limits, DeKalb County, Tennessee.

  • The municipal code identifies Ordinance Number 298 and any amendments as the governing zoning ordinance.

  “Land use within the City of Smithville shall be governed by Ordinance Number 298, titled "Zoning Ordinance, Smithville, Tennessee," and any amendments thereto.”

• Shed and accessory-building permit exemptionNot available (with conditions)

  Accessory structures inside Smithville city limits.

  • This finding addresses the cited building-code permit exemption, not zoning authorization for a particular accessory structure.

  “accessory structures and fences are changed to require permit.”

• Permit processPartial

  Street excavations or tunnels inside Smithville city limits.

  • The application must identify the work location, size, purpose, parties performing and commissioning work, and agreement to comply with applicable law; the cited rule is limited to excavations or tunnels.

  application decision time: <= 24 hours (after filing)

  “Such application shall be rejected or approved by the secretary and treasurer within twenty-four (24) hours of its filing.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Smithville city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Smithville city limits.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Smithville city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential zoning districts inside Smithville city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential zoning districts inside Smithville city limits.

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.