Bolthole Index

Robertson County, Tennessee

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Robertson County, Tennessee

64Index Score / 100
#73 of 95 in Tennessee

Robertson County, Tennessee requires a residential building permit through the county Planning Department1. County zoning applies outside municipalities, but parcel-specific district rules and exceptions still matter23. Septic permits come from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and Robertson County requires the permit or a sewer tap receipt before issuing a building permit4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required, issued by the county Planning Department1
Zoning
Yes; confirm parcel-specific district rules and exceptions2
Septic permits
State-issued by TDEC, required before the county building permit4
Owner-builder exemption
Yes, one permit every two years for your own residence, not for sale or lease5
Residential building permit fee
$.70 per sq ft of livable space, porches, garages and storage6
Adequate facilities tax
$1.50 per heated/cooled sq ft, on top of the permit fee6
Septic soil suitability
42.5% of soils rate favorably for a conventional drain field7
Effective property tax rate
0.5% (about $1,547/year on the typical home)89

Who to call

Building permits

Robertson County Planning Department

Issues residential and pool building permits for unincorporated Robertson County, sets the order applicants must follow (septic, water tap, driveway permit, 911 address, deed, site plan and construction drawings), and collects the adequate facilities tax

(615) 382-6198

511 S Brown St, Springfield, TN 37172

Zoning

Robertson County Planning Department

Maintains Robertson County's zoning maps and amendments, forwards variance and other applications to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission, and issues certificates of occupancy and temporary use permits

615-384-3666

527 S. Brown St. Springfield, TN 37172

Roads & driveways

Robertson County Highway Department

Issues the county driveway permit required before building on any new lot in unincorporated Robertson County

615-384-2507

4751 Hwy 41N, Springfield, TN

Septic permits

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) - Septic Permits for Robertson County

Issues the state septic (subsurface sewage disposal) permit or confirms a sewer tap receipt, which Robertson County requires before it will issue a building permit

615-687-7000

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 Robertson County, Tennessee?

Yes. Robertson County requires a building permit for new construction, issued to the landowner or a licensed contractor, and construction drawings must comply with the 2021 International Building Codes16. Tennessee also runs a separate State Residential Building Permit program through the State Fire Marshal's Office, but that program applies only in "opt-out" or "non-code" areas that don't enforce their own local codes10. Robertson County enforces its own building codes through its Planning Department, so the state program's separate permit fees and inspection process do not apply here; use Robertson County's own permit process and fee schedule instead16.

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

Robertson County's Planning Department handles building permits and is reachable at 511 S Brown St, Springfield, TN 37172, phone (615) 382-61986. The same department also has a listed contact point at 527 S. Brown St., Springfield, TN 37172, phone 615-384-3666, where it maintains zoning maps and records and issues certificates of occupancy and temporary use permits11. A residential building permit costs $.70 per total square foot of livable space plus porches, garages, storage and basements, and the county separately collects an adequate facilities tax of $1.50 per heated or cooled square foot6.

Does Robertson County have zoning?

Yes. Robertson County administers a county zoning ordinance and maintains zoning maps and amendment records211. Tennessee county zoning authority applies outside municipal corporations, so land inside a city may follow that municipality's rules instead3. Use the zoning map and resolution to confirm the parcel's district, permitted uses and exceptions before relying on a proposed use2. Buildings on land devoted to agricultural use and incidental to the agricultural enterprise can receive a narrower exemption from county zoning, but the exemption does not cover land near a state or federal-aid highway, public airport, public park, or the floodplain described by the state rule12. Robertson County tells agricultural applicants to inquire before construction6.

How do septic permits work in Robertson County?

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation requires a Septic System Construction Permit to install a septic system or repair a faulty one in Robertson County134. Robertson County requires that permit, or a sewer tap receipt, before issuing a building permit; call 615-687-7000 or use the septic service request website listed by the county14. Review generally takes about 10 days and must be completed within 45 days of a complete application13. A conventional system permit is $400 for design flow up to 1,000 gallons per day, while an alternative-system permit is $500 at that flow; repair permits have no permit fee13. Only 42.5% of Robertson County soils avoid a "very limited" rating for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility a purchase contingency for a specific parcel7. A qualifying utility can require sewer connection where a building lot abuts a public way containing its sanitary sewer15.

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

We could not confirm a Robertson County-specific rule allowing residential or long-term RV use, temporary camping, or tiny-home occupancy on private land. Robertson County administers zoning and maintains parcel maps, so ask the Planning Department how the parcel's zoning district treats the proposed dwelling or temporary use before buying or moving one onto the land211. We also could not confirm county thresholds for minimum dwelling size, setbacks, lot coverage, building height or accessory dwellings; those questions need a parcel-specific answer from the Planning Department.

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

  1. Get your septic permit or a sewer tap receipt first; Robertson County's own permit page lists this as the first required step, reachable through the septic service request website or 615-687-700014.
  2. Get a water tap or meter receipt from your water provider, or a letter of intent or receipt from a well-drilling company if you're using a well6.
  3. Get a driveway permit from the Robertson County Highway Department, required for all new buildings, or from the state highway department if your access is on a state road1617.
  4. Get a 911 address verification letter from the Robertson County Emergency Communications Department, required for all new construction6.
  5. Pull a copy of the recorded deed in the current owner's name from the Register of Deeds office6.
  6. Prepare a site plan drawing showing the house, roadway, driveway, fencing, other buildings, septic tank and field lines, plus detailed construction drawings that comply with the 2021 International Building Codes6.
  7. If you're building your own home rather than hiring a contractor, you're limited to one owner-builder permit every two years, and the home can't be for sale, lease or rent; anyone you pay more than $25,000 generally has to be a licensed contractor518.
  8. Submit everything to the Planning Department and pay the residential building permit fee plus the adequate facilities tax before construction begins6.

What to check before you buy land in Robertson County

Soils and septic: 42.5% of Robertson County's soils rate favorably for a conventional drain field, better odds than many rural counties, but get a site evaluation before you count on it for a specific parcel7. Flooding: ask the Planning Department whether your parcel needs a flood elevation certificate, since one may be required before a building permit is issued6. Access: a driveway onto a county road needs a Robertson County Highway Department permit, while a driveway onto a state highway needs a separate permit from the state highway department1617. Sewer: if your lot abuts a street with sanitary sewer already available, the utility may be able to require you to connect rather than use a septic system15. Agricultural buildings: a barn or similar structure incidental to an agricultural enterprise can qualify for a narrower zoning exemption, but Robertson County still asks agricultural applicants to inquire before construction126. Taxes: the effective property tax rate here is about 0.5%, or roughly $1,547 a year on a typical home89.

Watch-outs

  • Tennessee's separate State Residential Building Permit program and its published fee schedule apply only in areas without local code enforcement; Robertson County runs its own Planning Department permitting program with its own fees, so don't use the state's fee table for this county106.
  • We could not confirm a Robertson County-specific rule on living in an RV or tiny home on your own land; ask the Planning Department directly before you rely on one11.
  • The owner-builder exemption allows only one permit every two years for your own residence, not for sale or lease, and anyone you pay more than $25,000 generally must be a licensed contractor18.

Sources

  1. Robertson County Planning Department (2026 county census)
  2. Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  3. Tennessee Attorney General Opinion No. 10-108 (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  4. TDEC - Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS) (2026 county census)
  5. Can I build my own home without a license? (2026 county census)
  6. Robertson County Planning Department (robertsoncountytn.gov)
  7. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  8. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  9. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  10. Residential Permit FAQs (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Robertson County Planning Department (robertsoncountytn.gov)
  12. Exemption from County Zoning Regulation for Buildings on Land Used for Agriculture, Opinion No. 22-07 (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Septic System Construction Permit, quoted and re-checked
  14. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) - Septic Permits for Robertson County (robertsoncountytn.gov)
  15. Utility Customers Frequently Asked Questions (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Robertson County Highway Department (robertsoncountytn.gov)
  17. Highway Entrance Permits (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Can I build my own home without a license? (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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

Robertson County in Tennessee

64
County map
Robertson County highlighted among the Tennessee counties · colored by Index score

How Robertson County scores

Seclusion29100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency76100% ev.
Admin Boringness46100% ev.
Durability76100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost72100% 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 →

$374kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$7,424Land / acre
52"Annual rain
2.3% of yrsSevere drought
10.3 / yr (+9.4)Mid-century 100°F days
14.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.3" (+8.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.6×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,708Home insurance / yr
1% / yrInsurance growth
1.03%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
55,005People within 30 min
3,314,943People within 2 hr
139,327Radius comparison (15 mi)
161.2People / sq mi
0%Federal land
80%Land at 15% slope or less
42.5%Septic soil without severe limits
126,986 acWorkable land screen
34.9%Wooded land
64.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
58.4°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Robertson County

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

Robertson County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning administration and zoning records in Robertson County.

    • The official page identifies county zoning administration and zoning maps; the linked zoning resolution should be consulted for parcel-specific district rules and exceptions.
    “administering and interpreting the Zoning Ordinance”
  • Who permits septicTennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)

    Subsurface sewage disposal (septic) permits are issued by TDEC under Rule 0400-48-01; a septic permit or sewer tap receipt is required before a county building permit.

    TDEC - Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS) ↗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”
  • 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 a septic system in Robertson County.
      “must get a Septic System Construction Permit”
  • 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”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential permit purchase and inspection process under Tennessee's State Residential Building Code Enforcement Program.

    • The state program applies to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses only in areas without the stated local-code exemption or opt-out.
    • A first-time CORE user must register for an account.
    • A building permit must be purchased online or at a local Issue Agent.
    • Inspections cover the foundation before pouring, framing/rough-in construction, and final construction.
    • One free re-inspection is available; each additional re-inspection requires an additional fee.
    • A homeowner may build a home only if it will be the homeowner's residence, not sold or leased, and the homeowner has not received a homeowner building permit during the preceding 24 months.
    • Detached garages, sheds, barns, and other detached structures not used for living purposes do not require a state residential building permit.
    • A permit is not required for installation of a manufactured or modular home, but custom site work such as a deck, patio, or stoop requires a permit.

    effective date for permit requirement for additions over 30 square feet: 2011-10-01 (Applies to additions to existing homes.) · free re-inspections per project: 1 inspection (Available if a required inspection is not passed the first time.)

    “A building permit must be purchased online or at a local Issue Agent. The cost of the building permit is based on the estimated cost”
  • 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 requirements in Robertson County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot-size requirements in Robertson County.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks in Robertson County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in Robertson County.
  • Building height — Building-height requirements in Robertson County.
8 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • 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 Robertson County, Tennessee

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

Robertson County scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: strong self-sufficiency basics: 52″/yr rainfall with little drought and mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: about 55,005 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Robertson County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). 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 Robertson County, Tennessee?

Land in Robertson County runs about $7,424 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Robertson County?

Robertson County gets about 52" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.3% of years.

How remote is Robertson County?

A representative private-land location has about 55,005 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,314,943 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 Robertson County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Robertson compares in Tennessee

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