Bolthole Index

Marshall County, Tennessee

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

63Index Score / 100
#77 of 95 in Tennessee

Marshall County, Tennessee requires building permits for construction, most exterior renovation and remodeling, and all additions, while routine maintenance and repairs are exempt1. The county also administers zoning countywide, and TDEC requires a separate septic construction permit for a new system or repair23. Start with the Marshall County Building Codes and Zoning office before work begins4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction, most exterior renovation and remodeling, and all additions51
Zoning
Administered countywide; parcel zoning is available on the county map62
Septic permit
Required for installation or repair; administered by TDEC73
Owner-builder
A Tennessee owner may build one personal residence under the conditional state licensing exemption89
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask county zoning about the parcel and proposed occupancy24
Setbacks
Front, side and rear distances vary by zoning district10
Septic soil suitability
Only about 6% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field11

Who to call

Building permits

Marshall County Building Codes and Zoning

Building permits, inspections, zoning and planning submissions, and flood-development submissions for Marshall County

(931) 359-0567

206 Legion Avenue, Suite A, Lewisburg, TN 37091

Septic permits

TDEC Division of Water Resources — Columbia Environmental Field Office

Division of Water Resources assistance, including septic-related services, for Marshall County

(931) 380-3371

[email protected]

1421 Hampshire Pike, Suite 100, Columbia, TN 38401

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Yes. Marshall County requires a residential or commercial building permit for construction, most exterior renovation and remodeling, and every addition1. Routine maintenance and repairs do not require a permit1. Permitted construction is inspected for compliance with minimum construction standards, zoning and setback requirements12. Marshall County has adopted residential, building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel-gas and life-safety codes, along with an energy-conservation code13. Do not begin regulated work early: the county says starting before the permit is received results in a charge of double the normal permit fee1.

Who issues Marshall County building permits, and how do you reach the office?

Marshall County Building Codes and Zoning handles the county's building-permit, inspection, zoning, planning and flood-development submissions4. The office is at 206 Legion Avenue, Suite A, Lewisburg, TN 37091, and the phone number is (931) 359-05674. The county directs applicants to its respective portals for applications, inspection requests, questions, complaints and other submissions4. The accessible county page does not publish a complete review timeline or every required application item, so use the office's portal or call with the parcel number and project description before preparing a filing144.

Does Marshall County have zoning?

Yes. Marshall County administers zoning countywide and publishes an interactive map where a buyer can search a parcel and view its zoning information215. Setbacks are not one countywide distance: front, side and rear minimums vary by zoning district, and the county directs applicants to the Zoning Office for the applicable dimensions10. The current materials do not confirm countywide minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, lot coverage or building-height limits, so ask Building Codes and Zoning to read the current rules for the specific parcel4. Tennessee's agricultural zoning exemption is conditional: the land must be devoted to agriculture and the structure incidental to that enterprise, with exceptions including certain nearby public facilities and floodplain land16.

How do septic permits work in Marshall County?

TDEC administers subsurface sewage disposal permitting in Marshall County, and a Septic System Construction Permit is required to install a new system or repair a faulty one73. TDEC inspects each installation for compliance with the permit conditions and regulatory requirements17. The Columbia Environmental Field Office serves Marshall County; call (931) 380-3371 or email [email protected] for Division of Water Resources assistance18. Only about 6% of Marshall County soils rate without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so confirm a usable septic area before choosing a house site11. A qualifying utility may require an existing building on an abutting parcel to connect when a sanitary sewer is available along the public way, but that authority does not mean sewer serves every parcel19.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Marshall County?

We could not confirm a county rule that answers long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land in Marshall County. Because Marshall County administers zoning countywide and setbacks vary by district, take the parcel number and the proposed structure and occupancy to Building Codes and Zoning before buying or moving a unit onsite2104. A tiny home does not automatically avoid permitting: Marshall County requires permits for construction, most exterior renovation and remodeling, and all additions1. Manufactured-home occupancy, accessory dwellings and a countywide minimum home size also remain unconfirmed; the Building Codes and Zoning office can identify the current parcel district and submission route4.

Building a home in Marshall County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Building Codes and Zoning to identify the parcel's zoning and the applicable setbacks1510.
  2. Confirm septic feasibility and apply to TDEC for the required construction permit if the site will use a subsurface system318.
  3. Submit the county building and zoning materials through the appropriate county portal144.
  4. Receive the building permit before starting, because early work triggers double the normal permit fee1.
  5. Request county inspections through the portal as construction proceeds124.
  6. Have TDEC inspect the installed septic system for compliance with the permit17.
  7. If the driveway enters a Tennessee state highway right-of-way, obtain the TDOT entrance permit before construction or a change in use20.

What should you check before buying land in Marshall County?

Start with parcel zoning, setbacks, legal access, flood status, water source and septic feasibility. The county's interactive map provides parcel zoning, while flood-development submissions go through the county portal154. Only about 6% of county soils rate without severe limits for a conventional drain field, even though about 74.5% of the land has a slope of 15% or less, so evaluate the actual homesite rather than county averages alone1121. A private-well permit rule and countywide water-connection requirement could not be confirmed; ask Building Codes and Zoning and TDEC which authority applies to the parcel418. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,3342223.

Watch-outs

  • Starting regulated work before Marshall County issues the building permit triggers a charge of double the normal permit fee1.
  • Marshall County setbacks vary by zoning district, so do not place a house, garage or storage building from a generic setback figure10.
  • RV living, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy and private-well permitting remain unconfirmed; ask Building Codes and Zoning and TDEC about the parcel before committing to land418.

Sources

  1. Frequently Asked Questions About Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Marshall County Building Codes and Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  3. TDEC Division of Water Resources Continuing Planning Process Document, quoted and re-checked
  4. Marshall County Building Codes and Zoning (marshallcountytn.gov)
  5. Frequently Asked Questions About Building Permits (2026 county census)
  6. Marshall County Building Codes and Zoning (2026 county census)
  7. TDEC - Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS) (2026 county census)
  8. Can I build my own home without a license? (2026 county census)
  9. Can I build my own home without a license? (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Frequently Asked Questions About Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  11. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  12. Frequently Asked Questions About Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  13. Adopted Codes, quoted and re-checked
  14. Marshall County Building Codes and Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  15. Marshall County Building Codes and Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  16. Exemption from County Zoning Regulation for Buildings on Land Used for Agriculture, Opinion No. 22-07 (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Septic System Related Permits, quoted and re-checked
  18. TDEC Division of Water Resources — Columbia Environmental Field Office (tn.gov)
  19. Utility Customers Frequently Asked Questions (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Highway Entrance Permits (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Marshall County in Tennessee

63
County map
Marshall County highlighted among the Tennessee counties · colored by Index score

How Marshall County scores

Seclusion32100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency72100% ev.
Admin Boringness46100% ev.
Durability60100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% 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 →

$334kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$5,660Land / acre
56.2"Annual rain
5.6% of yrsSevere drought
9.6 / yr (+8.8)Mid-century 100°F days
15 daysMid-century dry spell
2.62" (+8.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.51×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,600Home insurance / yr
-0.7% / yrInsurance growth
0.98%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
54,964People within 30 min
3,959,079People within 2 hr
68,256Radius comparison (15 mi)
98.4People / sq mi
0%Federal land
74.5%Land at 15% slope or less
6%Septic soil without severe limits
12,914 acWorkable land screen
50.3%Wooded land
50 tonsBiomass / forest ac
59°FAvg temp

Scout Marshall County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Marshall County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Marshall County

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

Marshall County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction and most outside renovation, remodeling, and additions in Marshall County.

    • Routine maintenance and repairs do not require a permit.
    • Most outside renovation work, remodeling, and all additions require either a residential or commercial building permit.
    • Starting work before receiving a permit results in a penalty of double the normal permit fee.

    pre-permit-work penalty: double the normal permit fee

    “Most outside renovation work, remodeling and all additions do require either a residential or a commercial building permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Marshall County adopted building, residential, mechanical, plumbing, fuel-gas, energy-conservation, and life-safety codes.

    • The page lists the 2018 International Residential, Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, and NFPA 101 codes, plus the 2009 International Conservation Code.
    “Marshall County has adopted the 2018 International Residential Code, the 2018 International Building Code, the 2018 International Mechanical Code, the 2018 International Plumbing Code, the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, the 2009 International Conservation Code and 2018 NFPA 101.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction subject to Marshall County building permits.

    • The county states construction must be checked for compliance with minimum construction standards, zoning, and setback requirements.
    “Because it is the law and construction must be checked to insure compliance with minimum construction standards, zoning and setback requirements.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Marshall County zoning administration and zoning information countywide.

    “Fully interactive zoning map for all of Marshall County Tennessee. Search for properties and view parcel and zoning information.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Parcel and zoning information published through Marshall County's interactive zoning map.

    • The map provides parcel-specific zoning information; the accessible page does not list every district name or dimensional standard.
    “Fully interactive zoning map for all of Marshall County Tennessee. Search for properties and view parcel and zoning information.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential and commercial building setbacks in Marshall County.

    • Front, side, and rear setback distances vary in different zones.
    • The county instructs applicants to contact the Zoning Office for setback distances.
    “"Setbacks" are the minimum distances required by the law that a building, residential or commercial, must be from property lines. Front, side, and rear setback distances vary in different zones. Before work begins, call the Zoning Office 931-359-8839 for setback distances or other questions.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Marshall County building, inspection, flood-development, and zoning/planning submissions.

    • Applications and inspection requests are submitted through respective county portals.
    • The accessible page does not provide the complete review timeline or all required application materials.
    “Please click below to access the Building Permit, Flood Development, Citizen Request/Question, and Zoning & Planning Portals. All applications, inspection requests, call-back requests, complaints, and other submissions can be made through their respective portals.”

Tennessee rules that apply here

  • 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

    State of Tennessee administration of subsurface sewage disposal system permitting applicable in Marshall County.

    • TDEC Division of Water Resources administers the cited subsurface sewage disposal system program.
    “The Division is an administrative agent for key statutes and corresponding rules in Tennessee: [...] Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (T.C.A. § 68-221-401 et seq.)”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of a subsurface sewage disposal system on property in Tennessee, and repair of an existing faulty system.

    • A Septic System Construction Permit is required before installation or repair.
    • The application requires site and system information; soils maps may be required and large conventional or alternative systems require a licensed-engineer design.
    • The review generally takes 10 days and must be completed within 45 days.
    • New conventional permit fee is $400 up to 1,000 gallons per day, plus $100 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day.
    • New alternative permit fee is $500 up to 1,000 gallons per day, plus $150 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day.
    • Experimental SSDS permit fee is $500.
    • Repair permits have no permit fee; repair construction inspection fee is $100.
    • Contract counties Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby, and Williamson may require an additional permit.

    new conventional SSDS permit fee: 400 USD up to 1000 gallons per day design flow ($100 for each additional 1000 gpd flow) · new alternative SSDS permit fee: 500 USD up to 1000 gallons per day design flow ($150 for each additional 1000 gpd flow) · experimental SSDS permit fee: 500 USD · repair permit fee: No permit fee

    “Any individual or property owner who desires to have a subsurface sewage disposal (septic) system installed on their property or requiring repair to an existing faulty system must get a Septic System Construction Permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Installation or repair of subsurface sewage disposal systems in Marshall County under Tennessee state rules.
      “Any individual or property owner who desires to have a subsurface sewage disposal (septic) system installed on their property or requiring repair to an existing faulty system must get a Septic System Construction Permit.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    SSDS installation inspection in Marshall County under TDEC rules.

    • The Division inspects SSDS installations for compliance with permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
    “The Division inspects each SSDS installation to ensure that it was installed in accordance with permit conditions and regulatory requirements.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Residential, commercial, or industrial buildings on lots or parcels abutting a street or other public way containing a sanitary sewer, where the applicable Tennessee utility system has issued bonds payable for sewer services.

    • The cited Tennessee statute grants qualifying utility systems authority to require connection.
    • The building must exist on the abutting lot or parcel.
    • The owner, tenant, or occupant may be required to cease using other means for disposal of sewage, sewage waste, or other polluting matter.
    • This source describes authority to require sewer connection; it does not establish that every Tennessee property has sewer available.
    “Utility systems within the State of Tennessee that have issued bonds payable for sewer services are granted authority in TCA § 7-35-201 (1) to "require the owner tenant or occupant of each lot or parcel of land that abuts upon a street or other public way containing a sanitary sewer and upon which lot or parcel a building exists for residential, commercial or industrial use, to connect the building with the sanitary sewer and to cease to use any other means for the disposal of sewage, sewage waste or other polluting matter."”
  • 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 rules in Marshall County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot-size rules in Marshall County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage rules in Marshall County.
  • Building height — Building-height rules in Marshall County.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land in Marshall County.
9 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 Marshall County, Tennessee

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

Marshall County scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and strong self-sufficiency basics: 56.2″/yr rainfall plus 50.3% wooded land. Watch-outs: about 54,964 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Marshall County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Subsurface Sewage Disposal System program. 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 Marshall County, Tennessee?

Land in Marshall County runs about $5,660 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Marshall County?

Marshall County gets about 56.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.6% of years.

How remote is Marshall County?

A representative private-land location has about 54,964 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,959,079 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 Marshall County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Marshall compares in Tennessee

Compare side-by-side →See all 95 Tennessee counties ranked →