Bolthole Index

Gibson County, Tennessee

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Medina, Tennessee

Medina is a city in Gibson County, Tennessee. Medina adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Medina’s rules apply, not the county’s. 3 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 12, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Gibson County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Medina

Medina’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Medina city limits

    • Adopted under T.C.A. §§ 6-54-501 through 6-54-506; the 2018 International Residential Code is adopted separately in § 12-101 (2018 edition, appendices A, B, C, G and J).
    • Section 12-202 modifications were not reviewed.

    International Building Code edition: 2018

    “the international building code,1 2018 edition, as prepared and adopted by the international code council is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as part of medina city code”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Medina city limits (Gibson County, TN)

    • The zoning ordinance text (Ord. 85-01 and amendments) is published as a separate document held by the city recorder and was not located online; the code says zoning map amendments are not codified.

    zoning ordinance: Ordinance 85-01, January 27, 1985

    “land use within the city of medina shall be governed by ordinance number 85-01, titled "the zoning ordinance of the city of medina," and any amendments thereto.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in areas of special flood hazard inside Medina city limits

    • Applies in areas of special flood hazard identified on the Medina FIRM panel 47039 0250 dated October 18, 1983.
    • Administered by the codes official; the permit application requires elevation, plans and, for floodproofed non-residential buildings, an engineer's or architect's certificate.
    “a development permit shall be required in conformity with this ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Medina city limits
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Medina city limits
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Medina city limits
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Medina city limits
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Medina city limits
22 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Medina publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Gibson County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Medina means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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