Bolthole Index

Loudon County, Tennessee

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Loudon County, Tennessee

59Index Score / 100
#84 of 95 in Tennessee

Loudon County, Tennessee requires a residential building permit and enforces adopted building codes through Planning and Codes Enforcement12. Zoning administration depends on location: the county commission covers unincorporated land and Greenback, while the Loudon City commission covers Loudon and Philadelphia3. TDEC, not the county, issues septic permits4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required, issued by Loudon County Planning and Codes Enforcement1
Zoning
Yes; the responsible planning commission depends on the parcel's location3
Septic permit
Required where septic applies; issued by TDEC, not the county45
Owner-builder exemption
Yes, statewide: comply with T.C.A. 62-6-103, one permit per owner every two years6
Inspections
Required at key stages, including footing, framing, systems and final7
RV living
Private-parcel occupancy was not confirmed; RV-park stays are limited8
A-2 setbacks
District-specific front, rear and side setbacks apply9
Subdivision
A qualifying subdivision plat must be approved before recording10

Who to call

Building permits

Loudon County Planning and Codes Enforcement

Residential building permits, codes enforcement and inspections for unincorporated Loudon County

865-458-4470

101 Mulberry Street, Suite 101, Loudon, TN 37774

Zoning

Loudon County Planning, Zoning & Development

Countywide planning, zoning and development for unincorporated Loudon County, sharing the Planning and Codes Enforcement office

865-458-2055

101 Mulberry Street, Suite 101, Loudon, TN 37774

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Loudon County, Tennessee?

Yes. Loudon County Planning and Codes Enforcement issues residential building permits1. Loudon County has adopted and enforces building, plumbing, mechanical and residential codes, along with an accessibility code2. County projects subject to those codes receive periodic inspections, with minimum stages covering footings, slabs, framing, plumbing, mechanical, energy and final work; state inspectors working through the utility provider handle electrical inspections7. A Tennessee owner may build one residence for personal use under the owner-builder provision, limited to one permit every two years and not for sale, lease or rent; a person paid more than $25,000 is treated as a prime contractor who must be licensed11.

Who is the Loudon County building department, and how do you reach them?

Loudon County Planning and Codes Enforcement is at 101 Mulberry Street, Suite 101, Loudon, TN 37774; call Codes Enforcement at 865-458-4470 or the Inspection Hotline at 865-458-468012. Residential permit applications are completed in the office, and the county checklist calls for an approved address, applicable septic and driveway permits, a site plan, project square footage and cost, contractor documentation, tax documentation and owner signatures13. For zoning questions, call the Planning Office at 865-458-205514. Septic permitting belongs to TDEC's Division of Water Resources; apply online or call its Knoxville Field Office at 865-594-6035154.

Does Loudon County have zoning?

Yes, but the administrator depends on location. The Loudon County Planning Commission represents unincorporated Loudon County and Greenback, while the Loudon City Planning Commission represents the City of Loudon and Philadelphia3. Published zoning maps show district boundaries and are available for public inspection at the county building commissioner's office16. In the A-2 Rural Residential District, the minimum front setback is 40 feet; principal buildings need a 30-foot rear yard, accessory buildings need 5 feet, and a single-story structure needs a 20-foot side yard9. A-2 buildings are capped at three stories or 36 feet, subject to the cited ordinance exception17. Minimum dwelling size, complete minimum lot area and accessory-dwelling rules could not be confirmed; ask the Planning Office for the parcel's district and current standards14.

How do septic permits work in Loudon County?

TDEC's Division of Water Resources, not Loudon County, administers septic permits4. A permit is required to install a conventional septic system, and the county residential checklist requires a septic permit when applicable5. Apply online or call the Knoxville Field Office at 865-594-6035; local Division of Water Resources staff no longer keep office hours15. A new conventional permit costs $400 for up to 1,000 gallons per day plus $100 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day; a new alternative-system permit costs $500 at the same base flow plus $150 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day18. Only about 34.1% of Loudon County soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make septic suitability a purchase contingency19. The local septic-inspection sequence and rules for off-grid sanitation could not be confirmed; ask TDEC before choosing a system15.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Loudon County?

The available RV rules answer what happens inside regulated RV parks, not whether someone may occupy an RV on a private parcel. In a proposed Loudon County RV park, camper sites are rental-only and cannot be sold or leased for longer than 29 days8. Those parks must provide water, sewer and electric service to the clubhouse and every RV site, with RV-site water and sewer approved by the appropriate authority20. Tent camping associated with those parks is confined to designated open space and must be within 200 feet of clubhouse or restroom facilities; primitive camping is exempt from the RV-park standards21. Loudon County's private-parcel RV occupancy rule and tiny-home occupancy rule could not be confirmed. Before relying on either use, give the Planning Office the parcel number, zoning district, proposed duration and utility plan14.

How do you build a home in Loudon County, step by step?

  1. Identify the correct planning jurisdiction and zoning district; the county commission covers unincorporated land and Greenback, while the city commission covers Loudon and Philadelphia3.
  2. Confirm district setbacks, height and proposed use with the Planning Office before designing the site91714.
  3. Obtain the approved address and, where applicable, the TDEC septic permit and driveway permit required by the county checklist13. A state-highway driveway separately requires a TDOT entrance permit22.
  4. Complete the residential application in the county office with the site plan, square footage, cost, contractor documents, tax documents and signatures13.
  5. If building as an owner, verify the state owner-builder conditions before applying11.
  6. Schedule and pass the county's required construction-stage inspections; electrical inspections are handled by state inspectors through the utility provider7.

What should you check before you buy land in Loudon County?

Start with jurisdiction and zoning: unincorporated land and Greenback use the county planning commission, while Loudon and Philadelphia use the Loudon City commission3. If a tract will be divided, a qualifying subdivision requires a plat approved before recording; divisions in which every resulting parcel is at least 5 acres are excluded from the cited subdivision definition10. About 52.2% of Loudon County land has a slope of 15% or less, while 48.2% is wooded, so inspect the driveway route and build area on foot2324. Only about 34.1% of soils rate free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field19. A driveway on state highway right-of-way needs a TDOT entrance permit22. Private-well permitting and exact floodplain-development requirements could not be confirmed; ask Planning and Codes Enforcement what approvals apply to the parcel12. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.4%, with a median annual bill near $1,1632526.

Watch-outs

  • The RV-park stay limit does not establish whether you may live in an RV on a private parcel; ask the Planning Office about the specific parcel and proposed occupancy814.
  • A-2 Rural Residential setbacks and height limits are district-specific, so do not apply them to land in another zoning district917.
  • A driveway onto state highway right-of-way needs a separate TDOT entrance permit22.

Sources

  1. Loudon County Planning & Codes Enforcement (2026 county census)
  2. Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning, Zoning & Development, quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic System Contact Information, quoted and re-checked
  5. Residential Permit Information, quoted and re-checked
  6. Loudon County Planning & Codes Enforcement (2026 county census)
  7. Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  8. Development Standards for Recreational Vehicle Parks, quoted and re-checked
  9. The Zoning Resolution of Loudon County, Tennessee, Article V, quoted and re-checked
  10. Municipal and Regional Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  11. Can I build my own home without a license? (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Loudon County Planning and Codes Enforcement (planningandcodes.loudoncounty-tn.gov)
  13. Residential Permit Information, quoted and re-checked
  14. Loudon County Planning, Zoning & Development (planningandcodes.loudoncounty-tn.gov)
  15. Tennessee Division of Water Resources (TDEC), Knoxville Field Office (planningandcodes.loudoncounty-tn.gov)
  16. The Zoning Resolution of Loudon County, Tennessee, Article V, quoted and re-checked
  17. The Zoning Resolution of Loudon County, Tennessee, Article V, quoted and re-checked
  18. Septic System Construction Permit (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  20. Development Standards for Recreational Vehicle Parks, quoted and re-checked
  21. Development Standards for Recreational Vehicle Parks, quoted and re-checked
  22. Highway Entrance Permits (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Loudon County in Tennessee

59
County map
Loudon County highlighted among the Tennessee counties · colored by Index score

How Loudon County scores

Seclusion26100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency74100% ev.
Admin Boringness46100% ev.
Durability68100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost69100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$455kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$7,931Land / acre
55.6"Annual rain
4.1% of yrsSevere drought
5.6 / yr (+5.4)Mid-century 100°F days
13.6 daysMid-century dry spell
2.27" (+9.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.61×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,595Home insurance / yr
0.2% / yrInsurance growth
1.03%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
194,864People within 30 min
2,976,884People within 2 hr
136,768Radius comparison (15 mi)
264.3People / sq mi
2.6%Federal land
52.2%Land at 15% slope or less
34.1%Septic soil without severe limits
44,643 acWorkable land screen
48.2%Wooded land
55.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
59.1°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Loudon County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Loudon County rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    County-enforced building, plumbing, mechanical, residential, and accessibility codes.

    • The source identifies the adopted editions as 2012 International Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Residential Codes, plus the 2002 North Carolina Accessibility Code with 2004 Amendments.
    “Loudon County has adopted and enforces the 2012 editions of the International Building Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Residential Code, and the 2002 edition of the North Carolina Accessibility Code with the 2004 Amendments.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    County construction projects subject to the adopted building codes.

    • The county performs periodic inspections; minimum inspections include footings, slabs, framing, plumbing, mechanical, energy, and final inspections. Electrical inspections are performed by state inspectors operating through the utility provider.
    “The minimum inspections preformed include footings, slabs, framing, plumbing, mechanical, energy and final inspections.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate of zoning and planning jurisdiction across unincorporated Loudon County, City of Loudon, Greenback, and Philadelphia; the county claim does not mean the county administers every municipal ordinance.

    • The Loudon County Planning Commission represents unincorporated areas and Greenback; the Loudon City Planning Commission represents the City of Loudon and Philadelphia.
    “The Loudon County Planning Commission represents unincorporated areas of Loudon County and Greenback. The Loudon City Planning Commission represents the City of Loudon and Philadelphia.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Loudon County zoning districts and associated zoning maps.

    • The zoning maps define the locations and boundaries of the districts and are maintained in the county building commissioner's office for public inspection.
    “Prints of the zoning maps shall be maintained in the office of the Loudon County Building Commissioner and shall be available for inspection by the public at all reasonable times, as long as this Resolution remains in effect.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Uses permitted in the A-2 Rural Residential District.

    • All permitted uses must comply with the requirements except as provided in Article 6; accessory-building placement has a 2.5-acre exception for front-yard placement.

    front yard minimum: >= 40 feet (Accessory buildings may be in the front yard on lots 2.5 acres or greater if they meet the principal-structure setback.) · rear yard minimum, principal structure: >= 30 feet · rear yard minimum, accessory structure: >= 5 feet · side yard minimum for single-story structure: >= 20 feet

    “The minimum depth of the front yard shall be forty (40) feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in the A-2 Rural Residential District.

    • The height limit has an exception as provided in Article 6, Section 6.030.

    maximum height: <= 36 feet (No building may exceed three stories or 36 feet except as provided in Article 6, Section 6.030.) · maximum stories: <= 3 stories (Except as provided in Article 6, Section 6.030.)

    “No building shall exceed three (3) stories or thirty-six (36) feet in height, except as provided in Article 6, Section 6.030.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of RV sites in proposed Loudon County RV parks.

    • RV sites are for rent only and may not be sold or leased for longer than twenty-nine days; permanent site improvements or structural additions are not allowed; primitive camping is exempt from these RV-park regulations.

    maximum lease period: <= 29 days (Camper sites are for rent only.)

    “Camper sites are for rent only and are not to be sold or leased for a pe1iod longer than twenty-nine (29) days.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Primitive and tent camping associated with regulated Loudon County RV parks.

    • Primitive camping is exempt from the RV-park regulations; tent camping is allowed only in designated open-space areas, is limited to designated parking spaces, and must be within 200 feet of clubhouse/restroom facilities.

    maximum distance to clubhouse/restrooms: <= 200 feet (Tent camping sites must be in designated open-space areas.)

    “Tent camping is allowed in open space areas designated for that purpose. The number of tent camping sites is limited to the number of parking spaces designated for that purpose. Tent camp sites shall be within two hundred (200) feet of the clubhouse/restroom facilities.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Residential construction where septic service is applicable.

    • The residential permit checklist requires a septic permit if applicable; the permit service is administered through the Tennessee Division of Water Resources.
    “A Conventional Septic System Permit is required for the installation of a conventional septic system (or approved substitute product) to serve a residence, retail or commercial building.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Proposed recreational vehicle parks regulated by Loudon County.

    • The clubhouse and all RV sites must have water, sewer, and electric service; RV-site water and sewer utilities must be approved by the county health department or appropriate utility district.
    “The clubhouse and all RV sites shall be provided with water, sewer, and electric services. Utilities shall be provided by the RV Park and shall be underground.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land within Loudon County under the county/regional subdivision regulations.

    • Subdivision is defined as division into two or more lots, sites, or other divisions for sale or building development; divisions into parcels of five acres or larger are excluded from that definition. A plat must be submitted and approved before recording.

    excluded parcel size: >= 5 acres (Division into tracts or parcels when each part is five acres or larger is excluded from the stated subdivision definition.)

    “Any owner of land within this area wishing to subdivide land shall submit to the Planning Commission a plat of the subdivision according to the procedures outlined in Article II, which plat shall conform to the minimum requirements set forth in Article III.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Residential building-permit application process administered by Loudon County.

    • Applications are completed in the office; the checklist includes an approved address, applicable septic and driveway permits, site plan, square footage and construction cost, contractor licensing and insurance, school-facilities privilege-tax documentation and payment, and owner signatures.
    “Applications for residential permits are filled out in office at the time the permit is being obtained.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County maintains a Planning, Zoning & Development function with a countywide zoning resolution.

    Loudon County Planning & Codes Enforcement ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Tennessee rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    State residential building permits for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in Tennessee jurisdictions where the State Fire Marshal's Office administers the residential building permit program.

    • The state permit is required only in some areas because other jurisdictions may enforce local residential building codes.
    • A county legislative body may remove unincorporated areas from the state program or a city legislative body may remove the city by a two-thirds vote.
    • The state permit does not replace grading or fill approval, floodplain compliance, septic or sewer permits, electrical permits, or zoning approval.
    • Local governments remain responsible for locally adopted codes and other requirements.
    “Why is the state residential building permit only required in some areas of the state?”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A Tennessee property owner constructing a single residence for the owner's individual use.

    • The owner may have one permit every two years.
    • The residence must not be for sale, lease, or rent.
    • If the owner hires a contractor, the contractor is a prime and must be licensed and obtain the building permit for inspections.
    • Contracts may not be split into phases to circumvent the licensing law.
    • Anyone paid more than $25,000 by the owner is considered a prime and must be licensed.
    • The exemption is based on TCA 62-6-103 and Rule 0680-1-.22.

    owner permits: per 1 permit per two years · contractor payment threshold: > 25000 USD (Anyone paid in excess of this amount is considered a prime and must be licensed.)

    “one permit every two years to build their home as long as it is not for sale, lease, or rent (individual use).”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy for one- and two-family dwellings in Tennessee opt-out or non-code jurisdictions when the State Fire Marshal's Office inspects the dwelling during construction.

    • The owner or contractor may obtain a state building permit to request the inspection.
    • The Certificate of Occupancy is released only if the dwelling is determined to meet statewide building construction safety standards.
    • The source describes this process for opt-out or non-code jurisdictions and for new construction or additions to existing homes.
    “determined to meet the statewide building construction safety standards, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will release a Certificate of Occupancy”
  • Who permits septicState

    Septic permit services for Loudon County residents.

    • The county page directs applicants to the Tennessee Division of Water Resources and its online septic services; the page states that Division of Water Resources staff became mobile as of September 3, 2019.
    “The Division of Water Resources will design a repair for the failing septic system and will issue a septic system repair permit.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Buildings or structures on land used for agricultural purposes and subject to county zoning regulation in Tennessee.

    • The building or structure must be located on lands devoted to agricultural uses.
    • The building or structure must be incidental to the agricultural enterprise.
    • The exemption does not apply to agricultural lands adjacent or in proximity to state or federal-aid highways, public airports, or public parks.
    • The exemption does not apply to land located within the one-hundred-year flood plain.
    • The Attorney General opinion states that the provision applies to counties only and has no application to municipalities.
    • There is no blanket exemption for cotton gins, grain elevators, slaughterhouses, processing plants, or milk bottling plants; those structures qualify only when the statutory conditions are met.
    “it must be located on lands “devoted to agricultural uses;” and (2) it must be “incidental to the agricultural enterprise.””
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Construction, modification, revision, or change in use of a driveway on Tennessee state highway right-of-way.

    • The requirement applies to state highway right-of-way and does not establish a permit requirement for every driveway on every road.
    • Property owners must obtain the permit from TDOT.
    • County or municipal land-use regulations may also apply.
    “Under state law, a permit is required before construction of a driveway on state highway right-of-way, including the modification, revision, or change in use”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building permits administered by Tennessee's State Residential Building Code Enforcement Program for one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses where the state program applies.

    • The state program does not apply where a local government enforces local building codes under an exemption or where the city or county has opted out by a two-thirds vote.
    • For construction costs above the maximum listed in the table, an additional fee of $50.00 applies for each additional $50,000 or fraction thereof.
    • The construction cost cannot be less than $60.57 per heated square foot of construction.
    • An HVAC and Plumbing Inspection is required for all new construction.
    • A slab other than Monolith Pour Inspection is required when slab and footing are cast separately.

    permit fee for construction cost $0 to $5,000: 100 USD · permit fee for construction cost $5,001 to $100,000: 350 USD · additional fee for plumbing and HVAC inspection: 100 USD (Applicable as stated in the fee table.) · additional fee for slab other than monolith pour: 100 USD (Applicable when slab and footing are cast separately.)

    “$0 to $5,000 | $100 | $100 | $100 $5,001 to $100,000 | $350 | $100 | $100”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    County legislative bodies adopting zoning regulations for portions of Tennessee counties outside municipal corporations.

    • The authority is exercised under the conditions and procedures in Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 13-7-101 through 13-7-119.
    • The grant applies to portions of counties outside municipal corporations.
    • County zoning authority does not authorize county building permits or regulation of buildings or structures on agricultural land when the building or structure is incidental to the agricultural enterprise, except on agricultural lands adjacent or in proximity to state federal-aid highways, public airports or public parks.
    • The agricultural-land limitation applies to counties only and has no application to municipalities.
    “Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-7-101, et seq., the General Assembly has expressly delegated the authority to county legislative bodies to enact zoning regulations and create a board of zoning appeals.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Loudon County zoning districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area in Loudon County zoning districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in Loudon County zoning districts.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Loudon County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in Loudon County.
5 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Living off-grid in Loudon County, Tennessee

Is Loudon County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Loudon County scores 59/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: strong self-sufficiency basics: 55.6″/yr rainfall plus 48.2% wooded land and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 194,864 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Loudon County, Tennessee?

Loudon County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Water Resources. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Loudon County, Tennessee?

Land in Loudon County runs about $7,931 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Loudon County?

Loudon County gets about 55.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 4.1% of years.

How remote is Loudon County?

A representative private-land location has about 194,864 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,976,884 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Loudon compares in Tennessee

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