Stewart County, TN Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Stewart County, Tennessee does not require a residential building permit for an ordinary one- or two-family home because the county opted out of the state program¹. Countywide zoning remains unconfirmed, while septic construction, modification and repair require a permit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation²³. Municipal rules differ, so first determine whether the parcel is inside Dover, Cumberland City or Tennessee Ridge⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: Not required; Stewart County has opted out of Tennessee's State Residential Building Program¹
Zoning: No confirmed countywide zoning ordinance; Dover has its own zoning²⁵
Septic permits: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Water Resources⁶⁷
Optional state inspection: An owner can request a State Fire Marshal's Office inspection and Certificate of Occupancy even though no permit is required⁸⁹
Owner-builder: One owner-builder permit every two years, for a residence you won't sell, lease or rent¹⁰
Subdivision: The county itself has no subdivision regulations; Dover, Cumberland City and Tennessee Ridge do¹¹
Septic soil difficulty: Only 5.2% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field¹²
RV and tiny-home living: Not confirmed for unincorporated land; ask Stewart County government before buying²¹³

Who to call

Also useful

Stewart County Government

General Stewart County government contact; the county's own list of elected officials and department managers includes no building, planning or zoning office

(931) 232-3100

226 Lakeview Drive, Dover, Tennessee 37058

Building permits

Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office

The optional statewide inspection and Certificate of Occupancy program for one- and two-family dwellings in opt-out counties like Stewart, since the county itself runs no building-permit program

615-741-2981

500 James Robertson Pkwy, 10th Floor, Davy Crockett Tower, Nashville, TN 37243

Online permits →

Septic permits

TDEC Nashville Environmental Field Office (Division of Water Resources)

Septic System Construction Permits, site evaluations and final inspections for Stewart County

(615) 687-7000

711 R.S. Gass Blvd, Nashville, TN 37216

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

No residential building permit is required for an ordinary one- or two-family dwelling in unincorporated Stewart County because the county is an opt-out jurisdiction¹¹⁴. That answer does not extend automatically into the incorporated municipalities: Cumberland City and Dover are listed as exempt jurisdictions, while Tennessee Ridge participates in the State Residential Building Program⁴. The opt-out also does not settle commercial, industrial, electrical, plumbing or mechanical requirements¹⁵. An owner or contractor in unincorporated Stewart County may voluntarily obtain a state building permit and request State Fire Marshal inspections during construction⁸. If the dwelling meets statewide construction-safety standards, the State Fire Marshal's Office may release a Certificate of Occupancy⁹.

Who do you contact, since Stewart County has no building department?

Stewart County's department roster does not identify a county building, planning or zoning department¹³. For a parcel in the unincorporated county, start with Stewart County Government at (931) 232-3100 or 226 Lakeview Drive, Dover, Tennessee 37058¹³. The Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office handles the voluntary state-permit and inspection route available for a one- or two-family dwelling in an opt-out jurisdiction¹⁶⁸. The owner or contractor can begin that optional process by obtaining a state building permit online or through an issue location¹⁶. Contact the applicable municipality before work inside Dover, Cumberland City or Tennessee Ridge because each has a residential-program status distinct from Stewart County's opt-out status⁴. For a driveway entering a state highway right-of-way, the permitting office is TDOT¹⁷.

Does Stewart County have zoning?

We could not confirm a countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated Stewart County, and the county roster identifies no planning or zoning department²¹³. Tennessee law allows a county legislative body to adopt zoning outside municipal corporations, so confirm the current parcel status with Stewart County Government rather than treating the land as unrestricted¹⁸¹³. Dover does have its own zoning ordinance, with district-specific uses and dimensional requirements inside the town limits⁵. Stewart County itself is listed as having no subdivision regulations, while Cumberland City, Dover and Tennessee Ridge are listed with municipal subdivision regulations¹¹. Tennessee's agricultural zoning exemption is conditional: a structure must be on land devoted to agriculture and incidental to the agricultural enterprise, and the exemption does not extend to specified locations near highways, airports, parks or within the hundred-year floodplain¹⁹.

How do septic permits work in Stewart County?

Construction, modification or repair of a septic system in Stewart County requires a TDEC Septic System Construction Permit³. A TDEC Environmental Scientist evaluates the site and may request a detailed site plan or soils map; review can take up to 45 days after a complete application arrives³. The published fee for a new conventional system is $400 through 1,000 gallons per day, while a new alternative system is $500 through the same design flow; added flow and construction inspections carry additional charges²⁰. TDEC's Nashville Environmental Field Office serves Stewart County and can be reached at (615) 687-7000, 711 R.S. Gass Blvd, Nashville, TN 37216⁷. After installation, the installer must arrange a final inspection before covering the system, and approval leads to a Certificate of Completion²¹. Only 5.2% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, making an early site evaluation especially valuable¹².

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

We could not confirm a rule allowing or prohibiting full-time RV, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy on private land in unincorporated Stewart County, so ask Stewart County Government before relying on that use²¹³. A lack of a listed zoning department does not answer sanitation, floodplain, utility or occupancy questions¹³²². Dover's rules cannot be applied countywide: within Dover's mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas, an RV must satisfy one of several conditions, including being on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, remaining fully licensed and highway-ready, or meeting new-construction requirements²³. Dover also restricts mobile-home parks to its mobile-home-park district and requires public water and sewer availability before development²⁴. Those Dover provisions illustrate why the parcel's municipal status matters, but they do not establish an answer for unincorporated Stewart County⁵².

What are the steps to build a home in Stewart County?

Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Stewart County or inside Dover, Cumberland City or Tennessee Ridge, because the residential-program status differs by jurisdiction⁴.

Ask Stewart County Government about current parcel-specific land-use, floodplain and access requirements; local review may be required before development in a regulated floodplain¹³²².

Apply to TDEC for the septic construction permit and site evaluation, allowing up to 45 days after a complete application³.

Obtain a TDOT permit before constructing or changing a driveway within state highway right-of-way¹⁷.

Decide whether to use the optional State Fire Marshal inspection route for the unincorporated county; a compliant dwelling can receive a state Certificate of Occupancy⁸⁹.

If building as the owner for individual use, follow Tennessee's owner-builder conditions, including the limit of one homeowner permit every two years and the restriction against sale, lease or rent²⁵.

What should you check before buying land in Stewart County?

Start with septic suitability: only 5.2% of Stewart County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so obtain the TDEC site evaluation before treating a homesite as buildable¹²³. Check the survey and terrain because 46.8% of county land has a slope of 15% or less, and 81.1% is wooded²⁶²⁷. Determine whether the parcel lies in a regulated floodplain, where local review may be required before construction, grading, fill, excavation or placement of a manufactured home²². Verify whether road access is onto a state highway because that entrance requires a TDOT permit¹⁷. Ask the serving utility about water and sewer; Tennessee law permits certain sewer utilities to require a connection for an existing building on an abutting parcel, but we could not confirm a countywide connection rule²⁸. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $951²⁹³⁰.

Watch-outs

Stewart County's opt-out status applies to ordinary one- and two-family residential permitting in the unincorporated county; it does not settle commercial, trade, septic, driveway or floodplain approvals¹⁵³¹⁷²².
We could not confirm whether unincorporated Stewart County allows long-term RV, tiny-home or manufactured-home living, so ask Stewart County Government before buying for one of those uses²¹³.

Sources

Written September 28, 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.

How Stewart County scores

Seclusion73100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency65100% ev.

Admin Boringness81100% ev.

Durability67100% ev.

Property Autonomy71100% ev.

Carry Cost84100% 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 →

$251kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$4,031Land / acre

53.1"Annual rain

5.5% of yrsSevere drought

10.3 / yr (+9.2)Mid-century 100°F days

14.7 daysMid-century dry spell

2.5" (+5.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.66×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,722Home insurance / yr

2.1% / yrInsurance growth

1.36%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

5,873People within 30 min

1,894,387People within 2 hr

25,088Radius comparison (15 mi)

30.9People / sq mi

14.6%Federal land

46.8%Land at 15% slope or less

5.2%Septic soil without severe limits

14,216 acWorkable land screen

81.1%Wooded land

62.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac

58.7°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Stewart County

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

Stewart County rules

Building code adoptedNot adopted (with conditions)
Statewide residential building construction safety standards for one- and two-family dwellings in unincorporated Stewart County.
- The Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office lists Stewart County as OPT OUT; the state key defines OPT OUT as a jurisdiction that has passed a resolution opting out of the program.
- The opt-out concerns one- and two-family dwellings within the county jurisdiction.
- An owner or contractor may obtain a state building permit and request State Fire Marshal inspection; if the dwelling meets statewide standards, the State Fire Marshal's Office may release a Certificate of Occupancy.
- The incorporated municipalities listed separately by the state may have different statuses, including Dover, which is listed as EXEMPT, and Tennessee Ridge, which is listed as SRBP.
“Stewart County | OPT OUT | Ronnie Galloway | [email protected] | 931-201-3844 [...] OPT OUT - The jurisdiction has passed a resolution opting out of the program”
Tennessee Statewide Building Construction Code Inspections in “Opt-Out” or “Non-Code” Jurisdictions ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Subdividing landNot regulated
County subdivision regulations in Stewart County, including unincorporated county areas.
- The source separately lists Cumberland, Dover, and Tennessee Ridge as cities with subdivision regulations.
- This claim does not determine whether other state, regional, utility, septic, floodplain, or municipal approvals may apply.
“Stewart No Cumberland, Dover, Tennessee Ridge None”
Dedications along Existing Public Rights-of-Way, Balancing Property Rights with Local Authority over Land Use Regulation ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Driveway accessLimited
Acceptance of a new road into the Stewart County-maintained road system; this source does not establish a general permit requirement for every private driveway.
- The road must satisfy the county's road acceptance standards.
- A minimum 50-foot right-of-way must be recorded on all adjoining property deeds and cleared to the right-of-way limits.
- The roadway bed must be 22 feet with at least 6 inches of crushed limestone.
- The source concerns county road acceptance, not all driveway entrances.
right-of-way width: >= 50 feet (Must be recorded on all property deeds adjoining the road and cleared to the right-of-way limits) · roadway bed width: 22 feet (At least 6 inches of crushed limestone)
“Before any new road can be accepted as a county maintained road, it must meet the following road acceptance standards.”
Road Acceptance Standards for Stewart County ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
County-wide zoningAbsent
Stewart County lists no county planning or zoning department; codes/zoning are administered only by the City of Dover, indicating no county-wide zoning in unincorporated areas.
Stewart County Government - Official Site ↗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?”
Residential Permit FAQs ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
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).”
Can I build my own home without a license? ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — A homeowner performing work on the homeowner's residential property in Tennessee, including Stewart County.
  “an owner of property may construct a single residence once every two years for his/her own use”
  Residential Permit FAQs ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
InspectionsLimited
State Fire Marshal inspections of one- or two-family dwellings in Tennessee opt-out or non-code jurisdictions, including Stewart County.
- The building, structure, or premises must be located in an opt-out or non-code jurisdiction.
- The owner must request State Fire Marshal inspection.
- The inspection may occur during construction for new construction or additions to existing homes.
“Their home may now be inspected by an inspector with the State Fire Marshal’s Office”
Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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”
Statewide Building Construction Code Inspections in “Opt-Out” or “Non-Code” Jurisdictions ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — A State Fire Marshal certificate of occupancy for a one- or two-family dwelling in a Tennessee opt-out or non-code jurisdiction, including Stewart County.
  “the State Fire Marshal’s Office will release a Certificate of Occupancy”
  Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Who permits septicState (with conditions)
Subsurface sewage disposal systems in Tennessee, including Stewart County, which is not listed as a contract county.
- A Septic System Construction Permit is required for installation or repair of a septic system.
- The state page identifies only Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby, and Williamson as contract counties; Stewart County is not among them.
“For all non-contract counties, applications and fee payments for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Construction Permits can be submitted through the service request form.”
Septic System Construction Permit ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- State — Septic-system permitting and final inspection for property in Stewart County, Tennessee.
  “A TDEC Environmental Scientist will conduct a site evaluation to determine the type of septic system required for your property.”
  Subsurface Sewage Disposal System (SSDS) Frequently Asked Questions ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
Septic System Construction Permit ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Required — Construction of a new septic system, or repair or modification of an existing septic system, on residential, commercial, or industrial property in Stewart County, Tennessee.
  “A septic system permit is required for the construction, modification or repair of a septic system.”
  Subsurface Sewage Disposal System (SSDS) Frequently Asked Questions ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
- Required — Construction, modification, or repair of a subsurface sewage disposal (septic) system, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties in Stewart County.
  “A septic system permit is required for the construction, modification or repair of a septic system.”
  Septic System Construction Permit ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
New or repaired subsurface sewage disposal-system installations, including installations in Stewart County.
- After installation is complete, the installer must contact the local Environmental Scientist to schedule a final inspection before the system is covered.
- If the installation is approved, the Environmental Scientist issues a Certificate of Completion.
- The Division inspects each SSDS installation for compliance with permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
- Construction-inspection fees listed by TDEC are $100 for new conventional or large diameter gravelless pipe systems, $200 for new alternative systems, and $100 for repair inspections.
new conventional or large diameter gravelless pipe SSDS construction inspection fee: 100 USD · alternative SSDS construction inspection fee: 200 USD · repair construction inspection fee: 100 USD
“The Division inspects each SSDS installation to ensure that it was installed in accordance with permit conditions and regulatory requirements.”
Subsurface Sewage Disposal System (SSDS) Frequently Asked Questions ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Installed septic systems in Stewart County, Tennessee, before the system is covered.
  “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.”
  Subsurface Sewage Disposal System (SSDS) Frequently Asked Questions ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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."”
Utility Customers Frequently Asked Questions ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
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.””
Exemption from County Zoning Regulation for Buildings on Land Used for Agriculture, Opinion No. 22-07 ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Conditional — Buildings or structures on agricultural land subject to county zoning regulation in Tennessee, including Stewart County where county zoning authority would otherwise apply.
  “A structure housing these operations is exempt from county zoning regulations only if the structure is located on lands devoted to agricultural purposes”
  Exemption from County Zoning Regulation for Buildings on Land Used for Agriculture ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Building in a floodplainLimited
Development in or near a mapped or regulated floodplain, including applicable locations in Stewart County.
- Local review may be required before work begins.
- Requirements vary by community and are based on the local floodplain management ordinance and mapped flood zones.
- Potentially covered activities include construction, repairs, substantial improvements, placement of fill, grading, excavation, manufactured homes, accessory structures, and other development activity.
- The official state guidance directs property owners, contractors, and design professionals to contact the local floodplain administrator before beginning work.
“Local review may be required before development begins in a regulated floodplain.”
Floodplain Management Technical Resources ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Short-term rentalsLimited
Transient rental homes in Tennessee, including short-term rental homes and cabins in Stewart County.
- A transient rental home is a single dwelling unit with complete independent living facilities occupied for 30 days or less; examples include rental cabins, Airbnb and similar services, yurts, and similar structures.
- TRHs with three or fewer stories, less than 5,000 gross square feet, and 12 or fewer occupants are classified as one- and two-family dwellings subject to the cited state rules; they may be regulated by cities and counties that received an exemption.
- TRHs with four or more stories, 5,000 gross square feet or more, or 13 or more occupants are classified as R-3 occupancies subject to the International Building Code and cited state rules; in exempt jurisdictions they are regulated by local building and fire officials, otherwise by the State Fire Marshal's Office.
- A boarding house or congregate living facility must meet the applicable standards.
- The source does not establish that short-term rentals are generally permitted or prohibited as a land use in unincorporated Stewart County.
maximum occupancy for smaller TRH classification: <= 12 occupants (Also requires three or fewer stories and less than 5,000 gross square feet) · gross floor area threshold for larger TRH classification: >= 5000 sq ft (Also applies at four or more stories or 13 or more occupants) · occupancy threshold for larger TRH classification: >= 13 occupants (Or four or more stories or 5,000 gross square feet or more) · maximum occupancy duration: <= 30 days
“Transient rental homes (“TRHs”) are homes or cabins that are occupied for thirty (30) days or less.”
State Fire Marshal's Office Reminds Transient Rental Homeowners of Building and Fire Code Requirements ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Tennessee subsurface sewage disposal system permits and construction inspections applicable in Stewart County.
- A septic system construction permit is required for installation or repair of a septic system.
- New conventional or large-diameter graveless pipe permit: $400 up to 1,000 gallons per day design flow, plus $100 for each additional 1,000 gpd.
- New alternative SSDS permit: $500 up to 1,000 gallons per day design flow, plus $150 for each additional 1,000 gpd.
- Construction inspection fees are $100 for conventional systems and $200 for alternative systems.
- Experimental SSDS permit fee is $500.
- Repair permit has no permit fee; repair construction inspection is $100.
- Applications and fees are submitted to the Division of Water Resources at the appropriate Environmental Field Office; review generally takes 10 days and must be completed within 45 days.
new conventional or large diameter graveless pipe SSDS permit: 400 USD up to 1000 gallons per day design flow ($100 for each additional 1000 gpd flow) · new conventional SSDS construction inspection: 100 USD · new alternative SSDS permit: 500 USD up to 1000 gallons per day design flow ($150 for each additional 1000 gpd flow) · alternative SSDS construction inspection: 200 USD · experimental SSDS permit: 500 USD · repair permit: No permit fee · repair construction inspection: 100 USD
“New Conventional or Large Diameter Graveless Pipe SSDS Permit | $400 up to 1000 gallons per day design flow $100 for each additional 1000 gpd flow”
Septic System Construction Permit ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Published (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.
  “$0 to $5,000 | $100 | $100 | $100 $5,001 to $100,000 | $350 | $100 | $100”
  Residential Building Permit Fees ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
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”
Residential Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 12, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Partial — One- and two-family residential building-code program applicability in Stewart County and its listed municipalities.
  “Stewart County | OPT OUT [...] Cumberland City | EXEMPT [...] Dover | EXEMPT [...] Tennessee Ridge | SRBP”
  Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors ↗Re-checked Sep 11, 2026
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.”
Tennessee Attorney General Opinion No. 10-108 ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Inside cities and towns in Stewart County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Zoning within the corporate limits of Dover, Tennessee, a municipality in Stewart County.
- The Dover official page states that its codes are for Dover only and not the county.
- The ordinance was adopted March 14, 1988 and amended January 25, 2021.
- The ordinance establishes districts including R-1 Low-Density Residential, R-2 Medium-Density Residential, R-3 High-Density Residential, R-4 High-Density Residential, C-1 Central Business, C-2 Highway Service, I-1 Light Industrial, and I-2 Heavy Industrial.
- District-specific permitted uses, special exceptions, prohibitions, and dimensional requirements apply.
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN THAT THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF DOVER, TENNESSEE BE ENACTED INTO LAW.”
Codes, planning & zoning ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Living in an RVLimited
Recreational vehicles placed in an identified Special Flood Hazard Area within Dover, Tennessee.
- The RV must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, or be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet all requirements for new construction.
- A recreational vehicle is defined as a vehicle built on a single chassis, 400 square feet or less, designed to be self-propelled or towable, and designed primarily for temporary rather than permanent dwelling use.
maximum consecutive days on site: < 180 days (Alternatively, the RV may be fully licensed and ready for highway use or meet all requirements for new construction.)
“All recreational vehicles placed in an identified Special Flood Hazard Area must either:”
Town of Dover Zoning Ordinance ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026
Manufactured homesLimited
Manufactured-home occupancy in mobile-home parks within Dover, Tennessee.
- Mobile-home parks are limited to the MHP Mobile Home Park District.
- Complete urban facilities, specifically public sanitary sewer and water facilities, must be available or available before development.
- Construction or extension requires a mobile home park building permit after required water and sewer permits and planning review.
- The park must contain at least five acres and ten mobile-home spaces.
minimum mobile home park area: >= 5 acres · minimum mobile home spaces: >= 10 spaces
“No mobile home park shall be approved which contains less than five (5) acres”
Town of Dover Zoning Ordinance ↗Re-checked Sep 27, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Zoning districts — County zoning districts in Stewart County, including unincorporated areas.
Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Stewart County, especially unincorporated areas.
Tiny homes — Occupancy of a tiny home as a dwelling on private land in Stewart County, especially unincorporated areas.
Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units or secondary dwelling units on private land in Stewart County, especially unincorporated areas.
Off-grid sanitation — Privies, composting toilets, or other off-grid sanitation systems serving property in Stewart County, Tennessee.

1 more unanswered

Well permit

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 Stewart County, Tennessee

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

Stewart County scores 88/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property.

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

Stewart County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide 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 Stewart County, Tennessee?

Land in Stewart County runs about $4,031 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Stewart County?

Stewart County gets about 53.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.5% of years.

How remote is Stewart County?

A representative private-land location has about 5,873 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,894,387 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.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who do you contact, since Stewart County has no building department?

Does Stewart County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Stewart County?

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

What are the steps to build a home in Stewart County?

What should you check before buying land in Stewart County?

Watch-outs

Sources

Stewart County in Tennessee

How Stewart County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Stewart County

Stewart County rules

Tennessee rules that apply here

Inside cities and towns in Stewart County

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Stewart County, Tennessee

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

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

How much does land cost in Stewart County, Tennessee?

What is the water situation in Stewart County?

How remote is Stewart County?

How Stewart compares in Tennessee