Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Erin, Tennessee

Erin’s own rules

• Building permitLimited

  Electrical work inside Erin city limits

  • Minor repairs not involving new wire, conduits, machinery, apparatus or other electrical devices generally requiring an electrician are excluded.

  “no electrical work shall be done within this city until a permit therefor has been issued by the city.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Erin city limits

  • Chapters 34 through 43 of the International Residential Code are excluded; no appendices adopted.
  • Fire sprinklers not required in 1- and 2-family dwellings or 3-unit townhouses under 5000 sq ft, three stories or less, separated by two firewalls (§ 12-1307).
  • Code text adopted by ord. #610 (June 2017), amended by ord. #647 (Aug. 2023).

  international plumbing and mechanical codes edition: 2015 edition year · international energy conservation code edition: 2018 edition year (with local amendments in § 12-1307)

  “the international plumbing code, 2015 edition; the international mechanical code, 2015 edition; and the international energy conservation code, 2018 edition, as prepared and maintained by the international code council are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as a part of this code”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Erin city limits (Houston County seat)

  • Zoning is by ord. #303 and amendments, published as separate documents held by the city recorder; the ordinance text itself was not opened.

  “land use within the city of erin shall be governed by ord. #303, titled "zoning ordinance, erin, tennessee," and any amendments thereto.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Septic systems, privies and other sewage disposal facilities inside Erin city limits

  • Approval and permit come from the Houston County health officer before construction starts.
  • Applies to facilities requiring health officer approval under chapter 4.

  “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 disposal inside Erin city limits where no accessible sewer exists

  • Every residence must have a sanitary disposal method.
  • Pit privy or other method must be approved by the Houston County health officer.

  “a sanitary pit privy or other approved method of disposal shall be provided.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Premises inside Erin city limits with an accessible public sewer

  • Accessible sewer means a public sanitary sewer in a street or alley abutting the property or within 200 feet of any boundary, measured along the shortest available right-of-way.
  • Required only where water under pressure is also available.
  • Water: city is not required to extend mains or furnish service.

  accessible sewer distance: <= 200 feet

  “on any lot or premises accessible to the sewer no other method of sewage disposal shall be employed.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Building sites in flood hazard locations inside Erin city limits

  • Applies to new construction or substantial improvement, including prefabricated and mobile homes.
  • Structures must be anchored and use flood-resistant materials and methods.
  • Building inspector reviews permit applications; a separate flood damage prevention ordinance was not opened.

  “the building inspector shall review all building permit applications for new construction or substantial improvements to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Residential and commercial construction, plumbing and mechanical permits inside Erin city limits

  • No fee for valuation of $1,000 or less unless inspection required ($15 per inspection).
  • Plan-check fee equals one-half of the building permit fee.
  • Fees doubled if work starts before the permit is obtained.
  • Moving fee $100; demolition fee $50; plumbing $25 residential/$50 commercial; mechanical $25 residential/$50 commercial.

  fee for $1,000-$50,000 valuation: $15 for first $1,000 plus $5 per additional thousand USD

  “said plan-checking fee shall be equal to one-half (1/2) of the building permit fee as set forth.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Erin city limits
• Inspections — New construction inside Erin city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new buildings inside Erin city limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Erin city limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential districts inside Erin 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.