Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Lobelville, Tennessee

Lobelville’s own rules

• Building code adoptedPartial

  New building construction inside Lobelville city

  • Only the 1992 Model Energy Code is found adopted in the city code; no building, residential or fire code adoption found.
  • Violation is a civil offense up to $500 per offense.

  “the model energy code2 1992 edition, as prepared and maintained by the council of american building officials, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as a part of this code”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Lobelville city limits

  • Code Title 14 is headed zoning and land use control, but the codified text found contains only a residential lots chapter and a flood damage prevention chapter; no district map or full zoning ordinance was found in the code.

  “each residence or mobile home erected or located within the city shall be on a lot having an area of not less than one-half (1/2) acre.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Each residence or mobile home on a lot inside Lobelville city (no districts named)

  • Presently existing mobile homes are not affected unless destroyed and replaced.
  • Variance for hardship applies to distance between structures only (14-103).

  minimum lot area: >= 0.5 acre

  “each residence or mobile home erected or located within the city shall be on a lot having an area of not less than one-half (1/2) acre.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Spacing between houses/mobile homes inside Lobelville city (no yard setbacks from lot lines found)

  • Board of mayor and aldermen may grant a variance for severe hardship.

  distance between houses/mobile homes: >= 25 feet (variance for severe hardship)

  “a distance of twenty-five feet (25') shall be left between all houses or mobile homes.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile homes placed on lots inside Lobelville city

  • Lot of at least 1/2 acre; 25 ft between houses/mobile homes.
  • Underpinning required and lots kept mowed and free of junk.
  • Replacement of a destroyed existing mobile home must comply.

  maximum age at placement: <= 5 years

  “any mobile home placed upon any lot from the effective date of this chapter shall not be more than five (5) years old from the date of placement on the lot.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Property where people live inside Lobelville city where city sewer is available

  • Applies where sewer facilities are available to the property.
  • Connection must be made as soon as facilities reach the nearest point adjacent to the property (18-303).
  • Water/sewer service requires application, contract and deposit ($50 homeowner, $75 renter, non-refundable).

  “each property owner of the municipality, where people live and congregate in the municipality, shall be and is hereby required to connect and use the sewer facilities of the municipality where such facilities are available to such property.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in special flood hazard areas inside Lobelville city

  • Flood hazard areas per FIS #47135CV000A dated September 29, 2010 and FIRM panels dated September 20, 2010.
  • Administered by the city recorder or designee.
  • Ord. #12-01, April 2012.

  “a development permit shall be required in conformity with this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits inside Lobelville city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Lobelville city
• Inspections — Building inspection inside Lobelville city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Lobelville city
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Lobelville city

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.