Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Williston, Tennessee

Williston’s own rules

• Septic permitRequired

  New septic tank systems, privies or other sewage disposal facilities inside Williston city

  • Applies to facilities requiring the approval of the health officer under chapter 3.
  • Approval of design and location plus a permit must be obtained before construction starts.
  • Not required where an accessible sewer exists (8-303).

  “any person, firm, or corporation proposing to construct a septic tank system, privy, or other sewage disposal facility, requiring the approval of the health officer under this chapter, shall before the initiation of construction obtain the approval of the health officer for the design and location of the system and secure a permit from the health officer for such system.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Sewage and excreta disposal inside Williston city

  • Only methods approved by the health officer are allowed.
  • Water-carried septic systems require a permit (8-307).
  • A sanitary method is mandatory for every residence.

  “wherever a sanitary method of human excreta disposal is required under section 8-302 and water-carried sewage facilities are not used, a sanitary pit privy or other approved method of disposal shall be provided.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  New homes on lots inside Williston city with an accessible public sewer

  • Accessible sewer means a public sanitary sewer in an abutting street or alley or within 200 feet of any boundary of the property.
  • Applies where water under pressure is also available.
  • Where no accessible sewer exists, a septic system approved by the health officer is used.

  accessible sewer distance: <= 200 feet

  “wherever an accessible sewer exists and water under pressure is available, approved plumbing facilities shall be provided and the wastes from such facilities shall be discharged through a connection to said sewer”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Land inside Williston city
• Owner-builder exemption — Land inside Williston city
• Building code adopted — Land inside Williston city
• Inspections — Land inside Williston city
• Certificate of occupancy — Land inside Williston 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.