Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Church Hill, Tennessee

Church Hill’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New single-family residences, apartments, and businesses inside Church Hill city limits; remodel projects over $5,000.

  • No permit is needed for reroofing if the roof footprint does not change.
  • City permits page also states no permit is required for fences, non-covered decks, or swimming pools.

  remodel project cost threshold: > 5000 USD (A permit is needed when the project is over this amount.)

  “Any new construction (single family residences, apartments and businesses). Do I need a permit if I remodel? You will need a permit if the project is over $5,000.00.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  A homeowner building a residence for themselves inside Church Hill city limits.

  • The homeowner may build only one house every two years for themselves.
  • The homeowner must contact the building inspector for the actual building permit.

  owner-built houses: per 1 house (Every two years; for the homeowner themselves.)

  “A home owner can build 1 house every 2 years for themselves. You must then contact the building inspector for the actual Building Permit.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Church Hill city limits.

  • The city adopted the state-adopted International Building and Residential Codes and the listed 2018 code editions; later state Department of Commerce amendments or revisions are incorporated by reference.
  • One-family and two-family dwellings and qualifying townhouses are excepted from the fire-sprinkler requirement stated in § 12-103.

  International Building Code edition: 2018 · International Residential Code edition: 2018

  “(1)International Building Code- 2018 Edition [...] (4)International Residential Code- 2018 Edition”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Church Hill city limits, Hawkins County, Tennessee.

  • Uses and structures must conform to the regulations for the district in which they are located.

  “This ordinance shall be known as the "Zoning Ordinance of Church Hill, Tennessee," and the map herein referred to, which is identified by the title, "Church Hill, Tennessee Zoning Map"”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile-home occupancy and mobile-home parks inside Church Hill city limits.

  • The R-5 Mobile Home Park District permits mobile-home parks only when they conform to the city mobile-home park ordinance.
  • The B-3 Arterial Business District excludes mobile homes.

  “Mobile home parks provided that they conform to the requirements of the mobile home park ordinance of the City of Church Hill, Tennessee.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  New construction inside Church Hill city limits where city sewer is available.

  • The official builder FAQ states that new construction needs a sewer permit if sewer is available.
  • The opened material does not state a distance or other availability measurement.

  “You will need a building, sewer (if sewer is available) and drainage permit.”

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

  A yard barn inside Church Hill city limits.

  • This finding is limited to yard barns; the city page separately lists permit exceptions for fences, non-covered decks, and swimming pools.

  “Do I need a building permit for a yard barn? Yes.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision plats and lots inside Church Hill city limits.

  • An applicant must contact City Hall 15 days before the Planning Commission meeting to be placed on the agenda.
  • Plats and a completed application must be received before placement on the agenda.
  • A building permit cannot issue for a municipal lot unless the access street is accepted/opened as a public street or matches a street on a subdivision plat approved by the Church Hill Regional Planning Commission.

  advance contact before Planning Commission meeting: >= 15 days (To be placed on the agenda.)

  “Anyone wishing to appear before the Planning Commission must contact City Hall fifteen(15) days before the next scheduled meeting to be placed on the agenda. Also, plats and a completed application must be received before being placed on the agenda.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building, sewer, and drainage permits inside Church Hill city limits.

  • Fees depend on square footage, application fee, and number of inspections required.
  • Applicants are directed to call City Hall for the fee for a specific project.

  “The permits are based on square footage, application fee and number of inspections required. Call City Hall (423-357-6161) for fees charged for a specific project (building, sewer and drainage).”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applicants inside Church Hill city limits.

  • A contractor needs a valid contractor license and proof of workers' compensation insurance when applying at City Hall.
  • The applicant must then contact the building inspector for the actual building permit.

  “Anyone with a valid Contractor's License and proof of Worker's Compensation Insurance needs to come by City Hall and apply for a building permit.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Church Hill or Hawkins County directly.

• Inspections — Building work inside Church Hill city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Church Hill city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Church Hill city limits.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Church Hill city limits.
• Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside Church Hill 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.