Bolthole Index

Rutherford County, Tennessee

Building permits, zoning and septic in Town of Smyrna, Tennessee

Town of Smyrna, Tennessee requires a building permit before demolition, alterations, additions or new structures inside town limits.1 Smyrna sets its own zoning; TDEC handles septic permitting where public sewer is unavailable.23 For land outside town limits, use the Rutherford County guide because the county zoning ordinance applies to unincorporated land.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required before demolition, alterations, additions and new structures1
Zoning
Town zoning ordinance and map; district-specific rules2
Septic permits
TDEC approval required for construction, modification or repair when sewer is unavailable5
Owner-builder
Owner occupancy or intended occupancy and notarized homeowner affidavit required6
Accessory apartment
Special-exception approval required in R-1 and R-27
Public sewer
Connection at owner expense within 90 days after notice if sewer abuts the property8

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Smyrna Building Safety Department

Building permits and residential application review inside Smyrna town limits.

615-355-5704

[email protected]

315 S Lowry St, Smyrna, TN 37167

Planning & zoning

Town of Smyrna Planning & Zoning

Zoning, development review and parcel-specific land-use questions.

615-355-5706

315 South Lowry Street Smyrna, TN 37167

Floodplain permits

Town of Smyrna Floodplain Administrator

Floodplain development applications inside Smyrna town limits.

(615) 355-5706

Septic permits

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Water Resources

Issues and inspects Subsurface Sewage Disposal System (septic) construction permits for Rutherford County

(615) 687-7000

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Town of Smyrna, TN?

Smyrna requires the appropriate building permit before demolishing, altering, adding to or erecting a structure inside town limits.1 Residential construction follows the adopted 2024 International Residential Code with municipal modifications.9 For a new house, duplex or townhouse, the application needs a plot plan; accessory structures need a site plan.1 An owner can obtain a homeowner permit for a residential project only when the owner lives or plans to live on the property and supplies a completed, notarized homeowner affidavit.6 Construction for resale or lease requires a licensed contractor rather than a homeowner permit.6

Who issues building permits in Town of Smyrna?

The Town of Smyrna Building Safety Department is the building-permit counter for work inside town limits.10 Contact Building Safety at 615-355-5704 or [email protected]; applications can be delivered to 315 S Lowry St, Smyrna, TN 37167.10 Application submission options vary by project, with email, in-person delivery and specified online portals available.11 Accessory-structure site plans can be submitted in person or by email, but that permit type currently cannot be requested through the Public Access Portal.10 Interior remodels, renovations and conversions start with a pre-permit inspection scheduled through Building Safety.10 Smyrna publishes a building-permit fee schedule; ask Building Safety to identify the applicable project category before budgeting.12

Does Town of Smyrna have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Smyrna maintains its own zoning ordinance and Official Zoning Map, with requirements that depend on the parcel’s district.2 In R-1, the minimum lot area is 15,000 square feet and lot width at the building setback line is 100 feet, subject to the ordinance’s exceptions.13 In R-2, a single-family detached dwelling needs 12,000 square feet of lot area and 75 feet of width at the building setback line, subject to district exceptions.14 R-1 setbacks are 35 feet front, 15 feet side and 25 feet rear; a specified Planning Commission-approved subdivision arrangement can reduce side setbacks.15 R-1 building coverage, including accessory buildings, is capped at 35%, subject to Article VI exceptions.16 Ask Smyrna Planning & Zoning to review the proposed layout against the parcel’s district.17

How do septic permits and sewer connections work inside Town of Smyrna?

Where public sewer is unavailable in Smyrna, TDEC administers septic permitting and final inspection.3 Construction, modification or repair of a septic system requires a septic permit, and a private-wastewater permit copy must be furnished to Smyrna’s Director of Utilities before private-system construction.5 The installer must arrange the final inspection before covering the system; an approved installation receives a Certificate of Completion.18 Rutherford County’s septic-question contact is TDEC Division of Water Resources at (615) 687-7000.19 A qualifying public sewer that abuts the property requires connection at the owner’s expense within 90 days after official notice.8 Private wastewater disposal must comply with state, county, town and adopted building-code requirements, so off-grid plans still need an approved sanitation route.20

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Town of Smyrna?

We could not confirm a general rule for residential RV occupancy, temporary camping on private land, tiny-home occupancy or minimum dwelling floor area inside Smyrna town limits; ask Smyrna Planning & Zoning about the proposed use and Building Safety about the proposed structure before buying.1710 Smyrna does allow accessory apartments in R-1 and R-2 only through special-exception review and approval, so an accessory apartment requires a specific approval path.7 We could not confirm an agricultural building-permit exemption inside Smyrna; ask Building Safety before treating a barn or farm structure as exempt.10 A homeowner permit still requires owner occupancy or intended occupancy and a notarized affidavit.6

Building a home in Town of Smyrna: what should you do first?

Start with Smyrna Planning & Zoning: ask for the parcel’s zoning district and a review of the intended use, lot dimensions and building layout.172 Resolve wastewater service next: where public sewer is unavailable, obtain the required septic approval through TDEC and furnish the private-wastewater permit copy to the Director of Utilities before system construction.5 Submit the residential building application and plot plan to Smyrna Building Safety, including the notarized homeowner affidavit if applying as an owner-occupant.16 Obtain the building permit before work starts.1 For floodplain development, apply to the town Floodplain Administrator before any development activities.21 We could not confirm ordinary residential driveway-access or private-well requirements inside Smyrna; ask Planning & Zoning which office must review the proposed access and water supply.17

Watch-outs

  • Smyrna floodplain development requires an application to the town Floodplain Administrator before development activities, including projects whose plans involve fill or drainage facilities.21
  • Smyrna prohibits renting a single detached dwelling or part of one for less than 3 months; the same tenant may receive shorter extensions after occupying for at least 3 months.22
  • R-1 building height is generally limited to 35 feet, subject to Article VI exceptions, and FAA glide-path restrictions must also be respected.23

Sources

  1. Permits (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  3. Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Frequently Asked Questions (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  4. Rutherford County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  5. Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Frequently Asked Questions (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  6. Permits (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  7. Town of Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  8. § 18-204 Use of Public Sewers Required (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  9. § 12-601 Residential Code Adopted (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  10. Town of Smyrna Building Safety Department (files.townofsmyrna.org)
  11. Permits (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  12. Permits (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  13. Town of Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  14. Town of Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  15. Town of Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  16. Town of Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  17. Town of Smyrna Planning & Zoning (files.townofsmyrna.org)
  18. Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Frequently Asked Questions (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  19. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Water Resources (solidwaste.rutherfordcountytn.gov)
  20. § 18-205 Private Wastewater Disposal (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  21. Floodplain Management (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  22. Short-Term Rentals (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked
  23. Town of Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance (Town of Smyrna), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Smyrna

Town of Smyrna’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Demolition, alteration, additions, and new structures inside Smyrna town limits.

    • The appropriate permit must be obtained before work begins.
    • Residential new construction requires an application and plot plan; accessory structures require a site plan.
    “Anyone who intends to demolish, alter, build an addition, or erect a new structure must first obtain the appropriate permit from this department.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Residential projects inside Smyrna town limits where the property owner will occupy the property.

    • A completed and notarized homeowner affidavit is required.
    • The owner must reside or plan to reside on the property.
    • A homeowner permit may not be issued for construction for resale or lease; a licensed contractor is required in those cases.
    “Homeowner permits may only be issued for residential projects if the property owner resides, or plans to reside, on the property. Homeowner permits may not be issued if the owner is doing construction work on the property for the purposes of resale, lease, etc. In those cases, a licensed contractor is required to obtain the permit and complete the work.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Residential construction inside Smyrna town limits.

    • The International Residential Code, 2024 edition, is adopted with municipal modifications.
    • The town also adopted 2024 fuel-gas and energy-conservation codes in the cited code sections.

    edition: 2024 (with municipal modifications)

    “The International Residential Code, 2024 edition, and modifications thereto, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as part of this municipal code, and is hereinafter referred to as "the residential code."”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Smyrna town limits.

    • The Town maintains a Municipal Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map.
    • District-specific controls vary by zoning district.
    “The location and boundaries of the zoning districts established by this ordinance are bounded and defined as shown on the map designated as the Official Zoning Map of Smyrna, Tennessee.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory apartments in R-1 and R-2 residential districts inside Smyrna town limits.

    • An accessory apartment may be permitted only as a special exception.
    • Review and approval under Article VII, § 7.060 are required.
    “In the R-1, Low-Density Residential District, the following uses and their accessory uses may be permitted as special exceptions after review and approval in accordance with ARTICLE VII, SECTION 7.060. [...] 8. Accessory apartment.”
  • Who permits septicState

    Septic systems inside Smyrna town limits when public sewer is unavailable.

    • TDEC Division of Water Resources administers septic permitting and final inspection.
    • Smyrna code also requires compliance with state, Rutherford County, and/or town requirements.
    “When installation is complete, the installer will contact the local Environmental Scientist to schedule a final inspection before the system is covered. If the septic system installation is approved, the Environmental Scientist will issue a Certificate of Completion.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, modification, or repair of a septic system inside Smyrna town limits when public sewer is unavailable.

    • A TDEC septic permit is required before construction, modification, or repair.
    • A Smyrna private-wastewater permit copy must be furnished to the Director of Utilities before construction of the private system.
    “A septic system permit is required for the construction, modification or repair of a septic system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic-system installations inside Smyrna town limits.

    • The installer must contact the local Environmental Scientist for final inspection before the system is covered.
    • An approved installation receives a Certificate of Completion.
    “When installation is complete, the installer will contact the local Environmental Scientist to schedule a final inspection before the system is covered. If the septic system installation is approved, the Environmental Scientist will issue a Certificate of Completion.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private wastewater disposal inside Smyrna town limits where public sanitary sewer is unavailable.

    • The system must comply with state, Rutherford County, town, and adopted-building-code requirements.
    • A written permit from the appropriate regulatory authority is required before construction.
    • Connection to public sewer is required within 90 days after a public sewer abuts the property and official notice is given.
    “Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of § 18-204 (4), such toilet and other facilities necessary for the discharge of domestic and industrial wastes shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the requirements of the state, Rutherford County, and/or the town, and provisions of the most recently adopted building code of the town.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties inside Smyrna town limits that abut a public sanitary sewer discharging to the town POTW.

    • Connection is at the owner's expense.
    • Connection is required within 90 days after official notice.
    • The public sanitary sewer must abut the property.
    • If public sewer is unavailable, private wastewater disposal may be used subject to state, county, town, and building-code requirements.

    connection deadline: 90 days (after official notice and only when the public sewer abuts the property)

    “is hereby required at the owner(s) expense to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sanitary sewer in accordance with the requirements of the town, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that such public sanitary sewer abuts the property.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development activities in floodplains inside Smyrna town limits.

    • Applications must be made to the Floodplain Administrator before any development activities.
    • Applications may require plans in duplicate showing nature, location, dimensions, and elevations, plus structures, fill, stored materials or equipment, and drainage facilities.
    • Article IX of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance contains the full floodplain rules.
    “Applications for a development permit shall be made to the Floodplain Administrator prior to any development activities.”
  • Short-term rentalsProhibited

    Rental of a single detached dwelling, or portion thereof, for fewer than three months inside Smyrna town limits.

    • A tenant occupancy of three months or more may subsequently be extended for periods of less than three months.
    • An agreement between owner and tenant may need to be furnished upon request.
    • Failure to comply may result in a citation after proper notification.

    minimum rental period: >= 3 months (same tenant may later receive extensions of less than three months after occupying for three months or more)

    “Pursuant to the Town of Smyrna Municipal Zoning Ordinance, no single detached dwelling, or portion thereof, may be rented out to any tenant(s) for a period of less than three months.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Building permits inside Smyrna town limits.

    • The Town provides a current permit-fee schedule through the Building Safety Department.
    • The cited page does not state the fee amounts in the opened text.
    “For a summary of current permit fees, please review the Permit Fee Schedule document:”
  • Permit processPublished

    Building-permit applications inside Smyrna town limits.

    • Applications may be submitted by email, in person, or through specified online portals depending on project type.
    • Contractor applications require contractor-license, insurance, and business-tax documentation.
    • Homeowner permits require a completed and notarized homeowner affidavit and owner occupancy or intended occupancy.
    “Completed applications and forms can be submitted in any of the following ways: Email: [email protected] In person: 315 S Lowry St, Smyrna, TN 37167 Fax: 615-355-5781”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Smyrna

Town of Smyrna does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 Low-Density Residential District inside Smyrna town limits.

    • The ordinance states that the dimensional regulations apply except as provided in Article VI.
    • Lot width at the building setback line is also specified.

    minimum lot area: 15000 square feet (R-1 district exceptions in Article VI) · lot width at building setback line: 100 feet

    “Minimum Lot Size Area 15,000 SF Area/Family 15,000 SF Lot Width at Building Setback Line 100 Feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-2 Low-Density Residential District inside Smyrna town limits.
      “Minimum Lot Size Area - Single Family Detached Dwelling 12,000 SF Area/Family - Single Detached 12,000 SF Lot Width at Building Setback Line 75 Feet”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 Low-Density Residential District inside Smyrna town limits.

    • Side setbacks may be reduced to a total of 25 feet for two side-by-side lots if the subdivider submits a subdivision plat for Planning Commission approval showing all four setbacks.
    • One adjacent lot must have a minimum 10-foot side setback and the other a minimum 15-foot side setback, with opposite minimums on the other sides.

    front setback: 35 feet · side setback: 15 feet (special two-lot reduction described in conditions) · rear setback: 25 feet

    “Front Setback 35 Feet Side Setback 15 Feet* Rear Setback 25 Feet *Side setbacks can be reduced to a total of twenty-five (25) feet for two (2) lots side by side if the subdivider wishes to submit a subdivision plat for Planning Commission approval showing all four setbacks on each lot.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 Low-Density Residential District inside Smyrna town limits.

    • Coverage includes all buildings, including accessory buildings.
    • The ordinance permits exceptions under Article VI.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 35 percent (Article VI)

    “On any lot or parcel of land, the area occupied by all buildings including accessory buildings may not exceed thirty-five (35) percent of the total area of such lot or parcel.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 Low-Density Residential District inside Smyrna town limits.

    • Article VI exceptions may apply.
    • FAA glide-path building-height restrictions may not be exceeded.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (Article VI and FAA glide-path restrictions)

    “No building shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height, except as provided in ARTICLE VI, SECTION 6.050. In no case shall F.A.A. glide path building height restrictions be exceeded.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Smyrna or Rutherford County directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Smyrna town limits.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside Smyrna town limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Smyrna town limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Smyrna town limits.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Smyrna town limits.
2 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Smyrna publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Rutherford County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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