Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Fayetteville, Tennessee

Fayetteville’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction, alterations, moves, demolition inside Fayetteville city limits

  • Brochure says it is not intended to give every scenario and is an overview.
  • Permit not required for one-story detached accessory structures not greater than 200 sq. ft., decks not greater than 200 sq. ft. and not more than 30 inches above grade, and minor finish work.
  • Contractor license required for work valued at $25,000 or greater.

  accessory structure exemption: <= 200 sq ft

  “permit required: (including but not limited to) all new construction that will have occupancy enlarging, altering or repairing an existing building or structure”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Fayetteville city limits

  • Source is a 2023 city brochure (file dated 02/28/23); a newer edition may have been adopted.

  adopted code edition: 2018 International Building Codes

  “the city of fayetteville has adopted the 2018 international building codes.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Fayetteville city limits (Lincoln County, TN)

  • Chapter 4 is a 2012 copy of one chapter of the zoning ordinance; the full current ordinance was not opened.

  “no building or land shall, hereafter, be used and no building or part thereof shall be erected, moved, or altered unless for a use expressly permitted by and in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land inside Fayetteville city limits

  • Subdivision regulation text and thresholds not opened; the department page only lists that subdivision regulations exist.

  “an active board of zoning appeals zoning regulations subdivision regulations building regulations and enforcement”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Vehicle access points onto streets inside Fayetteville city limits

  • No more than two access points per 400 feet of frontage; lots under 100 feet wide get one.
  • No access within 20 feet of the curb line of a public intersection.
  • No curb cuts on city streets without approval of the city street superintendent; state highways need a TDOT permit.
  • Variances for topographic limits go to the board of zoning appeals.
  • Source is a 2012 chapter copy.

  maximum access point width: <= 30 feet (nonresidential vehicular service uses up to 40 feet)

  “a point of access for vehicles onto a street shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in width.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permits inside Fayetteville city limits

  • No fee amounts were published on the page opened; wall/fence permit fee follows the adopted code fee schedule.

  “q: how much does my permit cost? a: the cost is based on the job type and/or valuation.”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permits inside Fayetteville city limits

  • Applicant must submit construction documents, contractor license and insurance proof if required, disclose job amount, and pay fees.
  • Permit holder is solely responsible for scheduling inspections.
  • Permit applications and cheat sheets are linked from the department page but were not opened.

  “provide a 911 address for the proposed project location describe the work to be performed indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed work is intended”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Inside Fayetteville city limits
• Inspections — Construction inside Fayetteville city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Inside Fayetteville city limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Inside Fayetteville city limits
• Minimum lot size — R-1 and A-1 districts inside Fayetteville 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.