What counties in tennessee have no building codes. Of course the situation is always changing, so it behooves anyone planning to move to a code-free region to find out specifically what the situation is there. May 4, 2025 · Discover 10 freedom-friendly states in 2025 where you can still purchase land with minimal to no building restrictions—perfect for off-grid living, homesteading, or custom builds. Unfortunately, building codes are often overly restrictive and make it difficult to build with alternative materials such as earthbags, straw bales, etc. Get the facts now! Yes there are places with no building codes and it is more at the county level not whole states. As explained in previous posts, these counties are typically in remote, rural areas. Which Counties and Cities have no residential building codes? The following cities and counties do not follow state building codes. This list may not be all-inclusive. See full list on primalsurvivor. These officials must be certified by the SFMO. However, remember that some local governments may follow their own set of building codes. An expansive library of Tennessee code adoptions across building, plumbing, electrical, fire, residential, and more. Any Electrical Connections to local electric company will have to be inspected by the State Electrical Inspector. Nov 9, 2022 · The counties and cities that have opted out of the residential inspection program represent approximately 20 percent of the state’s population. We have listed who covers each city and county’s residential codes. These offices can provide information on specific code requirements, permit application processes, and inspection procedures. Some sections of Tennessee have no zoning laws, meaning . In short, NO. Knox County - home of Knoxville - seems to have "typical" building codes/inspections. Which states have no code? Other Jun 6, 2010 · Special cases are Tennessee, which is now in transition from having no codes to having mandatory control, and Texas, which does have state codes, but enforcement seems to be very lax. The Lewis County Board of Commissioners recently passed a Resolution respectfully requesting the Tennessee General Assembly to amend the County Powers Relief Act so that all counties in Tennessee could have the option to enact an Impact Fee to help generate revenue Local Building Code Offices: Each county in Tennessee has a local building code office responsible for enforcing building codes at the local level. Luckily, Tennessee’s zoning laws are relaxed compared to other states. This means statewide building codes are not enforced in these jurisdictions. CR212-00 - Inspecting Building Construction in Crawlspaces (3) CR212-01 - Inspecting Building Systems in Crawlspaces (3) CR213-00 - 2016 State of Tiny Houses in Tennessee (4) CR213-01 - '16 State of Tiny Houses in Tennessee (3) CR214-00 - IRC Introduction to Seismic Provisions (3) CR214-01 - Introduction to IRC/IBC Seismic Provisions (7) Search for Tennessee building code information. Learn about Tennessee counties with no building codes and how to navigate local regulations for your construction project effectively. Examples include Hancock County and Lake County. Thus, every city and county in Tennessee has different codes and regulations concerning tiny homes. The SFMO relies on local building officials to handle most of the day-to-day enforcement activities. Jul 9, 2024 · Explore Tennessee counties with no building codes in place. A building code search provides information on local building codes, building code violations, building regulations, building rules, approved building plans, rejected building plans, renovation regulations, building code investigations, building inspections, and abatement orders. To be clear building codes and building permits are 2 different things, and the state of Kentucky follows KRC/IRC meaning that any structure built in the state must meet those codes (I Jan 24, 2010 · Many readers are looking for inexpensive land where they can build their earthbag home. The State Fire Marshal’s Office can conduct a residential inspection in an area where a county has out Building Codes vary from city to county. com West Virginia Which states do not have building codes? There are fifteen states which do not have statewide building codes. Oct 3, 2022 · As a result, many of the 254 counties in the state either have no building code or very relaxed codes. Photo: istockphoto. Building Permits are not required in unincorporated areas of the county, however, Commercial Businesses must follow State of Tennessee Fire Codes. These areas provide unique opportunities for individuals I am by no means an expert and just spent a total of about 5 minutes googling this, but, it appears that some of the eastern counties do not require building permits (i. The State Fire Marshal’s States And Counties With No Building Codes In the United States, building codes are regulations that govern the design, construction, and maintenance of structures to ensure safety, health, and welfare of the occupants. e. If a city or county opts to not have a codes department they can enroll in the state residential building program or opt out of any code requirement. Each county or city in Tennessee has its own designated code enforcement department or building official who is responsible for enforcing local and state building codes within their jurisdiction. However, there are some states and counties where building codes are either non-existent or have limited requirements. Find out where you can enjoy a more flexible approach to construction regulations, allowing for greater freedom in your building projects. Some county governments or local governments may have no building codes in place. Rockcastle was one that was mentioned). Jan 6, 2024 · What Are the Zoning Laws for off Grid Living in Tennessee? Zoning laws are necessary for some areas of Tennessee since they govern how you can use the land. It’s worth noting that each county and city in Tennessee may have distinct regulations and codes concerning tiny houses as each local jurisdiction is responsible for adopting and enforcing their own codes. But the good news is some counties have very few code barriers. Aug 18, 2025 · Some counties in Tennessee have opted out of state-mandated building codes, especially for residential construction. Oct 29, 2022 · While some states have statewide building codes, others allow counties and cities to establish their own regulations for builders. Some states that have a building code allow jurisdictions to opt out of all codes. While Jan 17, 2025 · The Codes Enforcement section enforces statewide adopted fire and building construction safety codes and standards to afford a reasonable degree of safety to life and property from fire and hazards incident to the design, construction, alteration, and repair of buildings or structures. They specify the types of constructions on your land, whether you can cultivate, and the minimum plot sizes. Greenlee county in Arizona, Delta County and Montesuma in Colorado, Appanoose in Iowa, Scotland, Douglas, and Miller counties in Missouri, Emeralda county in Nevada, and Marfa and Terlingua in Texas are the most popular counties with no building codes. A list of the residential inspection program status of all Tennessee counties and cities is available from the State of Tennessee website. Mar 12, 2025 · Understand Tennessee’s land use rules, from zoning and building codes to easements and private covenants, to make informed property decisions. Building code adoption status can change. In contrast there are also places with an encyclopedia of building codes that will smother you so that you can only build another cookie that is exactly like every other house on the street. Some local governments or county governments decide to opt out of having any building codes. Filter by jurisdiction, code type, or code year. Jul 29, 2014 · We are in the process of moving to TN and my research shows that codes/building requirements are county specific. Lewis County does not have any fees associated with building new structures outside of the city limits of Hohenwald. net The counties and municipalities that have elected to exempt their jurisdiction from the application of statewide standards for one- and two-family dwellings are often referred to as “opt-out” or “non-code” jurisdictions. Included is a table listing many counties that have opted out of having building codes, and a table listing some places where you need a state residential building permit (rather than local). ” Nov 9, 2022 · The counties and cities that have opted out of the residential inspection program represent approximately 20 percent of the state’s population. Jan 21, 2017 · Lessons learned thus far: local knowledge helps find land, try to get “greenbelt” designation for property tax purposes, east TN counties with no building codes. afxr 56lb 89qyz 3mj 90wa smxp pkjxgza utjri5 sd1 szibuyc