Bolthole Index

Giles County, Tennessee

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Pulaski, Tennessee

Pulaski is a city in Giles County, Tennessee. Pulaski adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Pulaski’s rules apply, not the county’s. 4 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 12, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Giles County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Pulaski

Pulaski’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Buildings and structures inside Pulaski city

    • Local modifications in § 12-102 include removing Chapter 11 accessibility and not requiring section 432 storm shelters.
    • Plumbing code (IPC 2021) also adopted, for plumbing connected to the city water or sewerage system.

    International Building Code edition: 2021 (with § 12-102 modifications)

    “the international building code,2 2021 edition, including all appendix chapters and all subsequent amendments or additions to the said code, as prepared and adopted by the international code council, is hereby adopted”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Pulaski city limits

    • The zoning ordinance (Ord. #8-1996) and its amendments are published as separate documents on file with the city recorder; not opened here.
    “land use within the city of pulaski shall be governed by ord. #8-1996, titled "municipal zoning ordinance of pulaski, tennessee," and any amendments thereto.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in special flood hazard areas inside Pulaski city

    • Administered by the building inspector; applies in areas of special flood hazard identified by FEMA FIRM panels dated September 28, 2007.
    • Chapter adopted by Ord. #09-2022, July 2022.
    “a development permit shall be required in conformity with this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term residential rental units (under 30 days) inside Pulaski city

    • City business license required, along with any county-required permit.
    • Owner must keep unit compliant with zoning, housing, building and health/life safety codes.
    • Legacy/grandfathered units may be treated differently under T.C.A. § 13-7-601.
    • Chapter added/amended by Ord. #01-2025, March 2025.
    “to obtain a city business license, an otherwise eligible applicant must submit an application in compliance with the provisions of this chapter on a form provided by the city.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Pulaski city
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Pulaski city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Pulaski city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Pulaski city
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Pulaski city
21 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
  • 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 Pulaski publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Giles County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

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

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