Bolthole Index

Lawrence County, Tennessee

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

81Index Score / 100
#15 of 95 in Tennessee

Lawrence County, Tennessee opted out of the state residential building-code program, so a state building permit and State Fire Marshal inspection are optional for a one- or two-family home12. A county floodplain building permit is still required for structures in flood zones, while a separate county building-permit rule outside flood zones could not be confirmed3. Cities set their own building and zoning processes, but TDEC handles septic permits countywide45.

At a glance

Building permit
State residential building permit is optional; a county floodplain building permit is required for structures in flood zones23
Zoning
Confirmed in mapped flood zones; general county zoning beyond flood zones remains unconfirmed6
Septic permits
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), through its Columbia Environmental Field Office57
Owner-builder
A statewide owner-builder path allows one permit every 2 years for the owner's own home, not for sale, lease, or rent89
Manufactured homes
Installation requires a licensed installer and an installation permit before occupancy10
RV / tiny home living
Not addressed by any confirmed county rule, and general zoning itself is unconfirmed; ask the County Executive's office before assuming it's unrestricted11
Agricultural exemption
Conditional: the building must be on land devoted to agricultural use and incidental to the farm enterprise12
Septic soil difficulty
34.5% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field13

Who to call

Septic permits

TDEC Columbia Environmental Field Office

Subsurface sewage disposal (septic) construction permits and inspections for Lawrence County, one of the counties this Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation field office serves

(931) 380-3371

1421 Hampshire Pike, Suite 100, Columbia, TN 38401

Roads & driveways

Lawrence County Highway Department

Highway and bridge construction and maintenance of the county's 1,025 miles of roads; the office to ask about a driveway connecting to a county road

(931) 762-4272

520 Cresent Factory Road, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Also useful

Lawrence County Executive's Office

General county contact; no dedicated building, planning, zoning, or floodplain office is listed on the county's site, so start here for floodplain-permit, RV, or land-use questions this guide couldn't confirm elsewhere

931-766-4100

200 West Gaines, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 7, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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

Lawrence County is an OPT OUT jurisdiction, meaning the county opted out of Tennessee's residential building-code program1. For a one- or two-family dwelling, the owner or contractor may obtain an optional state building permit and request State Fire Marshal inspections for new construction or an addition214. A dwelling that passes that state path can receive a state Certificate of Occupancy; the certificate is not shown as a universal county requirement15. A separate county floodplain building permit is required for construction involving a structure in a flood zone3. We could not confirm a county building-permit ordinance outside flood zones, so ask the County Executive's Office before work begins16. Building-code status differs inside Ethridge, Iron City, Lawrenceburg, Loretto, and St. Joseph4.

Who issues building permits in Lawrence County?

Lawrence County does not publish a dedicated county building office or a complete building-permit workflow, so start with the County Executive's Office for county building and floodplain questions16. Tennessee's State Fire Marshal provides the optional state residential building permit and inspection route in the county's opt-out area217. Inside Lawrenceburg, city planning and zoning applications, including the municipal building-permit process, go through the city's portal; published city fees apply only there1819. Other cities have different residential-code program status4. Those city processes do not replace TDEC septic permits, which apply throughout Lawrence County520. Ask the Highway Department about a driveway onto a county road; Lawrenceburg requires city approval for a city-street curb cut, while state-highway access requires a TDOT permit2122.

Does Lawrence County have zoning?

Lawrence County has confirmed floodplain zoning, with a resolution adopted in 1988 and updated maps added in 201723. Construction involving a structure in a county flood zone requires a floodplain building permit3. We could not confirm a general county zoning map or district schedule outside flood zones, or countywide minimum lot size, minimum home size, setback, lot-coverage, or height rules; ask the County Executive's Office before treating unincorporated land as unrestricted16. Lawrenceburg publishes municipal zoning districts and takes city planning and zoning applications through its own portal2418. In Lawrenceburg, a qualifying prefabricated detached dwelling must have at least 600 square feet of gross floor area25. Loretto subdivision rules set 35-foot front, 20-foot rear, and 10-foot side yards and a 60-foot minimum lot width, but those are city subdivision standards, not countywide rules2627. The county agricultural zoning exemption is conditional and does not cover land in the mapped floodplain12.

How do septic permits work in Lawrence County?

TDEC requires a septic permit to construct, modify, or repair a septic system in Lawrence County20. Submit the application and fee to the Division of Water Resources through the TDEC Columbia Environmental Field Office, which also handles inspections528. The current state schedule lists $400 for a new conventional system serving up to 1,000 gallons per day, $500 for a new alternative system at that flow, and no fee for a repair permit20. Only 34.5% of Lawrence County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make septic approval a purchase contingency13. A qualifying utility may require sewer connection when a developed parcel abuts a street with its sanitary sewer29. Lawrenceburg also has city-specific water and sewer rules for alternative-density developments and mobile-home parks; those municipal rules do not govern unincorporated parcels3031.

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

We could not confirm a Lawrence County rule allowing, limiting, or prohibiting long-term RV living, tiny-home occupancy, temporary camping, or accessory dwellings on unincorporated private land. Ask the County Executive's Office about the parcel and intended use before buying or placing a unit16. County floodplain zoning still applies to structures in mapped flood zones, so a tiny-home project there requires floodplain review and a floodplain building permit3. A manufactured home follows a clearer statewide installation rule: it may not be occupied unless a state-licensed installer installed it10. That rule does not establish how Lawrence County classifies a tiny house on wheels. Inside Lawrenceburg, city zoning applies, and a prefabricated detached dwelling must meet the city's 600-square-foot minimum and permanent-foundation conditions2425. Septic permits remain with TDEC for city and unincorporated addresses5.

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

  1. Ask the County Executive's Office whether the parcel lies in a mapped flood zone and whether a county building permit applies outside the floodplain16.
  1. For a structure in a county flood zone, obtain the required floodplain building permit before construction3.
  1. If the parcel is in a city, follow that municipality's building and zoning process; Lawrenceburg uses its own portal, while local residential-code status varies across the county's cities184.
  1. Decide whether to obtain the optional state building permit and State Fire Marshal inspections for a one- or two-family home in the county's opt-out jurisdiction217.
  1. Apply to TDEC for the septic permit before construction, modification, or repair of the system2028.
  1. Confirm road jurisdiction; ask the Highway Department about county-road access, while Lawrenceburg city-street curb cuts need city approval and state-highway access needs a TDOT permit2122.
  1. If using the state-inspection path, complete the inspections so a compliant dwelling can receive a state Certificate of Occupancy32.

What to check before you buy land in Lawrence County

Check the flood map first because structures in county flood zones require a floodplain building permit3. Make septic approval a purchase contingency: only 34.5% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field13. Lawrence County receives about 58.3 inches of precipitation a year, and severe drought occurs in 5.2% of years3334. Terrain and clearing can change the site budget: 69.8% of the land has slopes of 15% or less, while 50.1% is wooded3536. Confirm legal access and road jurisdiction; Lawrenceburg and state highways have specific driveway approval routes, while a county-road driveway rule could not be confirmed2221. Verify sewer availability before relying on septic because a qualifying utility can require connection in some served locations29. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $9403738.

Watch-outs

  • Floodplain zoning applies in Lawrence County, but we could not confirm general zoning outside mapped flood zones; ask the County Executive's Office before treating unincorporated land as unrestricted616.
  • Lawrence County's published material does not identify the office that administers floodplain building permits, so ask the County Executive's Office before building in a mapped flood zone163.
  • We could not confirm county rules for RV occupancy, tiny homes, minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, or building height; ask the County Executive's Office about the parcel and intended use16.
  • Lawrence County's state-program opt-out does not remove TDEC septic permitting or the county floodplain building permit required for structures in flood zones1203.

Sources

  1. Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors, quoted and re-checked
  2. Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors, quoted and re-checked
  3. Lawrence County Committee as a Whole, March 10, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  4. Residential Jurisdictions & Inspectors, quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic System Construction Permit, quoted and re-checked
  6. Lawrence County Committee as a Whole, March 10, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  7. TDEC - Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS) (2026 county census)
  8. Can I build my own home without a license? (2026 county census)
  9. Can I build my own home without a license?, quoted and re-checked
  10. Public Chapter 793 — Tennessee Manufactured Home Installation Act, quoted and re-checked
  11. lawrencecountytn.gov (2026 county census)
  12. Exemption from County Zoning Regulation for Buildings on Land Used for Agriculture, quoted and re-checked
  13. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  14. Statewide Building Construction Code Inspections in “Opt-Out” or “Non-Code” Jurisdictions, quoted and re-checked
  15. Statewide Building Construction Code Inspections in “Opt-Out” or “Non-Code” Jurisdictions, quoted and re-checked
  16. Lawrence County Executive's Office (lawrencecountytn.gov)
  17. Tennessee Statewide Building Construction Code Inspections in “Opt-Out” or “Non-Code” Jurisdictions, quoted and re-checked
  18. Submittal Procedure | Lawrenceburg, TN, quoted and re-checked
  19. Submittal Procedure, quoted and re-checked
  20. Septic System Construction Permit, quoted and re-checked
  21. Lawrence County Highway Department (lawrencecountytn.gov)
  22. Lawrenceburg Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  23. Lawrence County Committee as a Whole Minutes, March 10, 2025, quoted and re-checked
  24. Planning & Development | Lawrenceburg, TN, quoted and re-checked
  25. Lawrenceburg Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  26. Subdivision Regulations - Adopted December 1st, 2020, quoted and re-checked
  27. Subdivision Regulations - Adopted December 1st, 2020, quoted and re-checked
  28. TDEC Columbia Environmental Field Office (tn.gov)
  29. Utility Customers Frequently Asked Questions (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. Lawrenceburg Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  31. Lawrenceburg Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  32. Tennessee Statewide Building Construction Code Inspections in “Opt-Out” or “Non-Code” Jurisdictions, quoted and re-checked
  33. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  37. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  38. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 7, 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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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike 4 of its 6 neighbors, Lawrence County requires a building permit only in limited cases.

RuleLawrence CountyGiles CountyWayne CountyLewis CountyMaury CountyMarshall CountyHickman County
Building permitLimitedRequiredLimitedNot requiredRequiredRequiredLimited
County zoningYesNoNot publishedNoYesYesYes
Septic permitsTDECTDECTDECTDECTDECTDECTDEC

County locator

Lawrence County in Tennessee

81
County map
Lawrence County highlighted among the Tennessee counties · colored by Index score

How Lawrence County scores

Seclusion47100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency78100% ev.
Admin Boringness7877% ev.
Durability66100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost84100% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$256kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$4,579Land / acre
58.3"Annual rain
5.2% of yrsSevere drought
8.6 / yr (+8)Mid-century 100°F days
15.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.69" (+6.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.52×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,579Home insurance / yr
0.3% / yrInsurance growth
1.32%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
37,851People within 30 min
3,276,070People within 2 hr
43,668Radius comparison (15 mi)
74.7People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
69.8%Land at 15% slope or less
34.5%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
135,722 acWorkable land screen
50.1%Wooded land
57.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
58.8°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Lawrence County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Town of Ethridge · Lawrenceburg · Loretto · St. Joseph

Answers from the rulebook for Lawrence County

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

Lawrence County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction in Lawrence County flood zones under the county's floodplain ordinance.

    • The county source states that Lawrence County is under the National Flood Insurance Program.
    • The source states that only structures require permits.
    • The cited source does not establish a general county building-permit requirement outside flood zones.
    “Holley noted that not everyone realizes that Lawrence County is under the NFIP. Building permits are required for any construction in flood zones, as per the ordinance passed.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    State residential building-code participation across Lawrence County and its listed municipalities.

    • The Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office list states that Lawrence County is OPT OUT.
    • The list defines OPT OUT as a jurisdiction that has passed a resolution opting out of the State Residential Building Program.
    • The same list shows Ethridge as EXEMPT, Iron City as SRBP, Lawrenceburg as EXEMPT, Loretto as SRBP, and St. Joseph as OPT OUT.
    • The source states the information is accurate as of August 21, 2026; this is a source currency statement, not an effective date.
    “Lawrence County | OPT OUT [...] Ethridge | EXEMPT [...] Iron City | SRBP [...] Lawrenceburg | EXEMPT [...] Loretto | SRBP [...] St. Joseph | OPT OUT”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — One- and two-family residential building-code status across Lawrence County and its listed municipalities.
      “Lawrence County | OPT OUT | Ronnie Galloway | gallowayinspection@gmail.com | 931-201-3844 Ethridge | EXEMPT Iron City | SRBP Lawrenceburg | EXEMPT Loretto | SRBP St. Joseph | OPT OUT [...] SRBP - The jurisdiction will participate in the State Residential Building Program EXEMPT - The jurisdiction has received an exemption OPT OUT - The jurisdiction has passed a resolution opting out of the program This information is accurate as of 8/21/2026.”
    • Not adopted (with conditions) — Tennessee statewide residential building-code program participation for one- and two-family dwellings within Lawrence County.
      “Lawrence County | OPT OUT | Ronnie Galloway | gallowayinspection@gmail.com | 931-201-3844 [...] OPT OUT - The jurisdiction has passed a resolution opting out of the program”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Floodplain zoning and development permitting in Lawrence County, including areas regulated under the county floodplain ordinance.

    • The source establishes floodplain zoning, not a general countywide zoning ordinance for all land uses.
    • Building permits are required for construction in flood zones under the adopted ordinance.
    • The 1988 resolution was amended in 2017 to include updated maps.
    • NFIP requirements and other applicable regulations may also apply.
    “A resolution for floodplain zoning was passed in 1988, which was amended in 2017 to include updated maps.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Lawrence County floodplain areas governed by the county's floodplain zoning resolution and ordinance; the source does not establish general zoning coverage outside flood zones.
      “A resolution for floodplain zoning was passed in 1988, which was amended in 2017 to include updated maps. Holley noted that not everyone realizes that Lawrence County is under the NFIP. Building permits are required for any construction in flood zones, as per the ordinance passed. Commissioner Brewer asked about the coverage of homes versus property. Holley clarified that only structures require permits.”
    • Present (with conditions) — Floodplain zoning and construction permitting in designated flood zones within Lawrence County.
      “A resolution for floodplain zoning was passed in 1988, which was amended in 2017 to include updated maps. [...] Building permits are required for any construction in flood zones, as per the ordinance passed. [...] Holley clarified that only structures require permits.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Countywide aggregate of zoning controls: Lawrence County administers floodplain zoning in designated flood zones, while incorporated municipalities such as the City of Lawrenceburg administer their own zoning ordinance and zoning districts.

    • The countywide conclusion aggregates rules administered by different authorities and does not mean Lawrence County administers every local ordinance.
    • Lawrenceburg's zoning rules apply within the City of Lawrenceburg's municipal jurisdiction.
    • County floodplain zoning and permit requirements apply in designated flood zones.
    • Other incorporated municipalities and any additional local districts were not independently verified in this research.
    “Floodplain Zoning Ordinance (PDF) [...] Lawrenceburg Zoning Ordinance [...] Zoning Map updated 7-15-26.pdf”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    County floodplain zoning districts and updated flood-zone maps in Lawrence County; this does not establish a complete county zoning-district inventory or address municipal zoning.

    • The official source identifies a floodplain-zoning resolution passed in 1988.
    • The resolution was amended in 2017 to include updated maps.
    • The source does not publish the complete mapped boundaries, district schedule, or full ordinance text.
    “A resolution for floodplain zoning was passed in 1988”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — Floodplain zoning districts or mapped flood zones in Lawrence County; this does not establish municipal zoning districts or a complete county district schedule.
      “A resolution for floodplain zoning was passed in 1988, which was amended in 2017 to include updated maps.”
    • Partial — County-administered zoning districts in Lawrence County, Tennessee.
      “A resolution for floodplain zoning was passed in 1988, which was amended in 2017 to include updated maps. [...] Building permits are required for any construction in flood zones, as per the ordinance passed. [...] Holley clarified that only structures require permits.”
    • Partial — County floodplain zoning in Lawrence County; this claim does not establish a comprehensive county zoning map or general county zoning districts.
      “A resolution for floodplain zoning was passed in 1988”
    • Partial — Floodplain zoning in Lawrence County; the official county record confirms a floodplain zoning resolution and updated maps, but does not establish a general zoning ordinance or zoning district map for unincorporated areas beyond floodplain regulation.
      “A resolution for floodplain zoning was passed in 1988, which was amended in 2017 to include updated maps.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction involving structures in Lawrence County mapped flood zones under the county's floodplain ordinance, including unincorporated areas; incorporated municipalities may administer their own local floodplain requirements.

    • Lawrence County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.
    • The March 10, 2025 county committee record states that building permits are required for any construction in flood zones under the passed ordinance.
    • Only structures require permits according to the cited county record.
    • A floodplain zoning resolution was passed in 1988 and amended in 2017 to include updated maps.
    • The official materials reviewed do not establish that Shelton Barnett was formally appointed as the county floodplain administrator after the March 10, 2025 discussion.
    • The May 19, 2025 budget record states that the EMA department would take on the additional floodplain-management role, while the county directory identifies Shelton Barnett as Emergency Management Operations supervisor.
    “Holley noted that not everyone realizes that Lawrence County is under the NFIP. Building permits are required for any construction in flood zones, as per the ordinance passed. Commissioner Brewer asked about the coverage of homes versus property. Holley clarified that only structures require permits.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction and structures in flood zones in Lawrence County, including unincorporated areas where the county ordinance applies.
      “Building permits are required for any construction in flood zones, as per the ordinance passed.”
    • Required — Construction involving structures in Lawrence County flood zones under the county's floodplain-zoning resolution and NFIP participation.
      “Holley noted that not everyone realizes that Lawrence County is under the NFIP. Building permits are required for any construction in flood zones, as per the ordinance passed. Commissioner Brewer asked about the coverage of homes versus property. Holley clarified that only structures require permits.”
    • Required — Structures proposed for construction in flood zones covered by Lawrence County floodplain zoning.
      “Holley clarified that only structures require permits.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Construction in flood zones in Lawrence County, including only structures for the stated floodplain-permit requirement.

    • The official minutes state that only structures require permits, not property generally.
    • The minutes identify a 1988 floodplain-zoning resolution amended in 2017 to include updated maps.
    • The source does not provide the complete application, review, inspection, or enforcement procedure.
    “Building permits are required for any construction in flood zones”

Tennessee rules that apply here

  • 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).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — A property owner constructing the owner's own residence in Lawrence County, including an owner using the state residential permitting route where applicable.
      “A person who owns property is allowed one permit every two years to build their home as long as it is not for sale, lease, or rent”
  • InspectionsLimited

    One- and two-family dwellings in Tennessee opt-out or non-code jurisdictions, including unincorporated Lawrence County because the current State Fire Marshal list identifies Lawrence County as OPT OUT.

    • The owner of a building, structure, or premises must request State Fire Marshal inspection.
    • The inspection determines whether the building, structure, or premises meets statewide building-construction safety standards.
    • For homes, the page describes inspections during construction for both new construction and additions to existing homes.
    • The owner of a one- or two-family dwelling or the contractor performing work on the dwelling may obtain a state building permit at issuing locations or online.
    • This is a state optional-inspection pathway; it does not establish a separate Lawrence County inspection ordinance.
    “Their home may now be inspected by an inspector with the State Fire Marshal’s Office during the construction process, both for new construction and additions to existing homes.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy issued by the State Fire Marshal's Office for one- or two-family dwellings in Lawrence County's opt-out area when the dwelling meets statewide building construction safety standards.

    • The source limits the pathway to one- or two-family dwellings in opt-out or non-code jurisdictions.
    • A certificate of occupancy is released if the dwelling is determined to meet the statewide building construction safety standards.
    • The source does not establish a general county certificate-of-occupancy requirement.
    “If the one- or two-family dwelling is determined to meet the statewide building construction safety standards, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will release a Certificate of Occupancy, often referred to as a “CO.””
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — One- and two-family dwellings in Lawrence County's opt-out jurisdiction that undergo requested State Fire Marshal inspection and meet statewide building construction safety standards.
      “the State Fire Marshal’s Office will release a Certificate of Occupancy, often referred to as a “CO.””
    • Limited — One- and two-family dwellings in Lawrence County’s OPT OUT jurisdiction that use the State Fire Marshal inspection pathway.
      “If the one- or two-family dwelling is determined to meet the statewide building construction safety standards, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will release a Certificate of Occupancy, often referred to as a “CO.””
    • Limited — One- and two-family dwellings in Tennessee opt-out or non-code jurisdictions, including unincorporated Lawrence County because the current State Fire Marshal list identifies Lawrence County as OPT OUT.
      “If the one- or two-family dwelling is determined to meet the statewide building construction safety standards, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will release a Certificate of Occupancy, often referred to as a “CO.””
    • Limited — 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.
      “determined to meet the statewide building construction safety standards, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will release a Certificate of Occupancy”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Overnight camping on Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency-controlled Wildlife Management Areas and related lands where overnight camping is allowed.

    • Overnight camping may be permitted only in designated areas and by permission from the area manager, park ranger, lake manager, park superintendent, or national forest supervisor.
    • Camping is subject to limitations prescribed in the permit if required.
    • Camping may not exceed three weeks from the beginning to the end of the camping stay.
    • Owner contact information or a TWRA ID number and date of arrival must be displayed on a camper, tent, vehicle, or similar item at all times.
    • Where overnight camping is allowed, firearms and archery equipment must remain in camp except during legal hunting hours.

    maximum camping stay: <= 3 weeks

    “May be permitted in designated areas by permission from the area manager, park ranger, lake manager, park superintendent, or national forest supervisor. Such camping is subject to the limitations prescribed in the permit if required.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Camping and use of trailers or other camper units in Tennessee state forests administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry.
      “Camping and the use of trailers or other camper units are allowed only at designated locations. The district forester will issue written permits to persons to camp in backcountry or other isolated sections of a forest area.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Occupancy, location, and installation of manufactured homes in Lawrence County and elsewhere in Tennessee, including unincorporated areas.

    • Occupancy is unlawful unless the manufactured home has been installed by a person licensed by the commissioner.
    • A previously exempt home, or a home previously installed and inspected according to rules in effect at the time of location, is excepted from the location or relocation restriction stated in subsection 403(b).
    • New homes installed after the effective date of the act must follow the manufacturer's installation instructions when provided; otherwise they must follow instructions prepared and sealed by a Tennessee-registered engineer, or alternatively ANSI 225.1, 1994 Edition until federal standards under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 apply.
    • New-home installation must also comply with applicable Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations for flood zones.
    • Used homes installed after the effective date must follow the manufacturer's manual in use when manufactured, or alternatively engineer-sealed instructions, or ANSI 225.1, 1994 Edition until federal standards under the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 apply.
    • Used-home installation must also comply with applicable Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations for flood zones.
    • A person installing a manufactured home must be licensed as a manufactured-home installer, except that a duly licensed retailer may install when the site workers are its employees; subcontractors must be licensed or covered under the retailer's bond, and at least one site worker must be licensed as a retailer or installer.
    • The installer must obtain an installation permit before installing and pay a $45 inspection fee to the county clerk; a separate $45 fee applies if part of the installation is rejected.
    • The act states that, for all purposes other than rulemaking and specified licensing provisions, it takes effect January 1, 2004.

    installation inspection fee: 45 USD (A separate $45 fee is charged to the installer if any part of the installation is rejected.) · minimum annual inspection share: >= 5 percent (There must be at least one inspection of a home installed by each installer each year.)

    “(a) It is unlawful to occupy any manufactured home in this state unless the manufactured home has been installed by a person licensed by the commissioner to make such installation.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Tennessee subsurface sewage disposal system construction permitting and related SSDS administration statewide.

    • The Tennessee Division of Water Resources administers SSDS permitting in non-contract counties.
    • Permit packages and Certificate of Completion packages for sites in contract counties are submitted directly to the contract county.
    • The listed contract counties are Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby, and Williamson.
    • Installer permits are valid statewide, but contract counties may require an additional permit.
    “Permit packages and Certificate of Completion Packages for sites located in the contract counties listed below should be submitted directly to the contract county.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • State — Subsurface sewage disposal systems serving properties in Lawrence County, including unincorporated areas.
      “Note that installer permits are valid statewide, not just for the county listed. However, contract counties (Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby & Williamson)”
    • State — Subsurface sewage disposal system construction permitting and inspection in Lawrence County, Tennessee.
      “Completed application forms and application fees should be sent to the Division of Water Resources at the appropriate Environmental Field Office.”
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Statewide subsurface sewage disposal system permitting and assistance, with specified contract counties providing ground water protection services in their own areas.
      “NOTE: Some counties provide ground water protection services for their own areas. The online application form is not to be submitted for services requested in the following metropolitan or contact counties: Blount County, Davidson County/Nashville, Hamilton County, Jefferson County, Knox County, Madison County, Sevier County, Shelby County, Williamson County.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, modification, repair, or installation of a subsurface sewage disposal system on property in Lawrence County, Tennessee.

    • A permit is required for a new septic system and for repair or modification of an existing system.
    • The application may require a site plan, soils map, or licensed-engineer design for large conventional or alternative systems.
    • The cited page lists fees of $400 up to 1,000 gallons per day for a new conventional or large-diameter graveless-pipe permit, $100 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day, $500 up to 1,000 gallons per day for a new alternative permit, $150 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day, $500 for an experimental permit, and no permit fee for a repair permit.
    • The application review generally takes 10 days and must be completed within 45 days of submission.

    new conventional or large diameter graveless pipe 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: 0 USD · application review deadline: <= 45 days (The page says review generally takes 10 days.)

    “A septic system permit is required for the construction, modification or repair of a septic system.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction, modification, or repair of septic systems in Lawrence County.
      “A septic system permit is required for the construction, modification or repair of a septic system.”
    • Required — Installation or repair of a subsurface sewage disposal system serving property in Lawrence County.
      “A Conventional Septic System Permit is required for the installation of a conventional septic system”
    • Required — Construction, installation, modification, or repair of residential, commercial, or industrial septic systems in Tennessee.
      “A septic system permit is required for the construction, modification or repair of a septic system. This permit ensures that the septic system design complies with state regulations and safeguards your health by properly managing wastewater.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of subsurface sewage disposal systems in Tennessee.

    • The installer must notify the Division when installation is complete.
    • A final inspection is scheduled before the system is covered.
    • TDEC inspects each SSDS installation for compliance with permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
    • Inspection fees vary by system type: $100 for new conventional or large-diameter graveless pipe systems, $200 for alternative systems, and $100 for repair construction inspections.

    new conventional construction inspection fee: 100 USD · alternative construction inspection fee: 200 USD · repair construction inspection fee: 100 USD

    “The applicant or SSDS installer must notify the Division when a system has been installed so that it can be inspected and approved.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Connection of buildings to sanitary sewer systems where a qualifying Tennessee utility system has issued bonds payable for sewer services and the property abuts a street or public way containing a sanitary sewer.

    • The property must abut a street or other public way containing a sanitary sewer.
    • A building must exist on the lot or parcel for residential, commercial, or industrial use.
    • The utility system may require connection and cessation of other sewage-disposal methods.
    • For electrical service, written notification must show public sewer service, a septic permit application, or an existing septic system.
    “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."”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Sewer (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.
      “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

    County zoning and building-permit treatment of buildings or structures on agricultural land in Tennessee, including Lawrence County where county zoning authority would otherwise apply

    • 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 federal-aid highways, public airports, or public parks.
    • The exemption does not apply when the building or structure is located within the one-hundred-year flood plain.
    • The cited statute 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.
    • A separate Attorney General opinion states that farm residences are incidental to the agricultural enterprise and exempt from county zoning regulation, but adequate-facilities taxes may still be governed by separate statutes or local implementing laws.
    “it must be located on lands “devoted to agricultural uses;” and (2) it must be “incidental to the agricultural enterprise.””
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction, modification, revision, or change in use of a driveway located on Tennessee state-highway right-of-way in Lawrence County.

    • The permit is required for state-highway right-of-way; the source does not establish a permit requirement for every county-maintained or municipal road.
    • Property owners must obtain the permit from TDOT.
    • Reasonable access does not guarantee the most direct or convenient access from a specific roadway.
    “Under state law, a permit is required before construction of a driveway on state highway right-of-way”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction, modification, revision, or change in use of a driveway on Tennessee state highway right-of-way.
      “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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Tennessee State Residential Building Permit fees, including work in Lawrence County only where a state residential permit or optional state inspection is applicable.
      “Cost of Construction* | Fee | Additional Fee for Plumbing and HVAC Inspection** | Additional Fee if Slab Other than Monolith Pour*** $0 to $5,000 | $100 | $100 | $100 $5,001 to $100,000 | $350 | $100 | $100”
  • 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.”

Inside cities and towns in Lawrence County

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

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction within the City of Lawrenceburg, an incorporated municipality in Lawrence County.

    • Applicants must ensure plans and construction comply with the currently adopted codes and all applicable local ordinances.
    • The city page lists the 2021 IBC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IPMC, IFC, IECC, and IEBC; 2021 NFPA 101; and the 2018 IRC.

    International Building Code edition: 2021 · International Residential Code edition: 2018

    “The City of Lawrenceburg currently enforces the following building codes: • 2021 International Building Code (IBC) • 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) • 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) • 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) • 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) • 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) • 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) • 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) • 2021 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code • 2018 International Residential Code (IRC)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Building-code enforcement within the City of Lawrenceburg.
      “Adopted Building Codes The City of Lawrenceburg currently enforces the following building codes: • 2021 International Building Code (IBC) • 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) • 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) • 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) • 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) • 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) • 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) • 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) • 2021 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code • 2018 International Residential Code (IRC)”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Published zoning districts and zoning-map framework within the City of Lawrenceburg.

    • The ordinance applies to the City of Lawrenceburg, not unincorporated Lawrence County.
    • District boundaries are defined by the zoning map and certain boundary questions are determined by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
    • The zoning map and amendments are maintained for public inspection.
    “For the purpose of this ordinance, the following zoning districts are hereby established in the City of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Zoning districts and zoning administration within the incorporated City of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, a municipality located in Lawrence County.
      “All Planning & Zoning applications continue to be submitted through the City of Lawrenceburg GovWell Portal. [...] Lawrenceburg Zoning Ordinance [...] Zoning Map updated 7-15-26.pdf”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Prefabricated single-detached dwellings in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, when seeking treatment as a single detached dwelling under the zoning ordinance.

    • The dwelling must be constructed primarily offsite and transported on a flatbed truck or trailer.
    • It must be installed on a permanently enclosed concrete or masonry foundation.
    • Sewer and water connections must be designed for permanent connection to municipal, sanitary, or onsite systems and permanently connected.
    • It must have no horizontal exterior dimension of less than 15 feet, excluding porches and carports.

    minimum gross floor area: >= 600 square feet (Porches and carports are not excluded from the gross-floor-area threshold, but are excluded from the horizontal-dimension measurement.)

    “Such structures are distinguished from mobile homes as described elsewhere in this ordinance when they have a minimum gross floor of six hundred (600) square feet and have no horizontal exterior dimensions of less than fifteen (15) feet not including porches or carports.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Subdivision lots within incorporated Loretto, Tennessee.

    • Lot dimensions must comply with the minimum standards of any applicable zoning ordinance.
    • The minimum lot-width rule does not apply to condominium subdivisions.
    • Corner lots must be large enough to observe minimum front-yard setback requirements from both public-way rights-of-way.
    • Business, commercial, and industrial lots must provide adequate area for required off-street parking and loading facilities.

    minimum lot width at minimum building setback line: 60 feet (Except for condominium subdivisions; measured from side lot line to side lot line at the minimum building setback line.)

    “Except for condominium subdivisions, the minimum lot width shall be sixty (60) feet measured from side lot line to side lot line at the minimum building setback line.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Subdivision development within incorporated Loretto, Tennessee, under the City of Loretto subdivision regulations.

    • The regulations apply to subdivisions located within Loretto, Tennessee.
    • The stated yard setbacks are minimum requirements for subdivision development.
    • For electric transmission lines where easement widths are not definitely established, setback from the center of the transmission line is governed by the listed voltage schedule: 7.2 kV = 15 feet; 13 kV = 25 feet; 46 kV = 37.5 feet; 69 kV = 50 feet; 161 kV = 75 feet.
    • Applicable zoning ordinances, building and housing codes, health department rules, TDEC rules, and other applicable laws may also apply.

    front yard setback: 35 feet · rear yard setback: 20 feet · side yard setback: 10 feet

    “The minimum yard setback requirements shall be: Front yard 35 Feet Rear yard 20 Feet Side yard 10 Feet”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Mobile home developments and individual mobile home sites within the City of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

    • A mobile home park may be located only as a special exception in districts where permitted.
    • A mobile home park must contain at least five acres and at least fifteen mobile home spaces.
    • An accessible, adequate, safe, and potable water supply must be provided on trunk lines not less than six inches.
    • If a satisfactory public water supply is available at the site or site boundary, connection to it is required and it must be used exclusively.
    • Each mobile home site must connect to the sanitary sewer line or use a sewer system approved by the Lawrence County Health Department and the Board of Zoning Appeals.

    minimum water trunk-line diameter: >= 6 inches · minimum mobile home park area: >= 5 acres · minimum mobile home spaces: >= 15 spaces

    “connection shall be made thereto and its supply use exclusively.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Water and sewer (with conditions) — Alternative density developments within the City of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.
      “water and a central sewage collection and treatment system [...] shall be available.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Vehicle access points and driveway/curb-cut access to public streets within the City of Lawrenceburg.

    • A vehicle access point may not exceed 30 feet in width; certain nonresidential vehicular-service uses may reach 40 feet subject to the stated frontage limit.
    • Access points must provide proper drainage.
    • There are limits on the number of access points based on frontage.
    • No access point may be within 20 feet of a public intersection curb or road line.
    • Curb cuts or alterations on city streets require approval of the City Street Superintendent; state highways require a Tennessee Department of Transportation permit.
    • Two driveways serving one lot frontage must be at least 25 feet apart.
    • Topographic variances go to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
    • The cited rule is municipal and does not establish countywide unincorporated driveway requirements.

    maximum ordinary access-point width: <= 30 feet (nonresidential vehicular-service uses may be up to 40 feet, not exceeding 50 percent of frontage) · minimum distance from public intersection: >= 20 feet (measured from curb line, or road line where there is no curb) · minimum clear distance between two driveways on one lot frontage: >= 25 feet

    “A point of access for vehicles onto a street shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in width. [...] No curbs on city streets or rights-of-way shall be cut or altered without approval of the Lawrenceburg City Street Superintendent, or if a state highway, a permit must be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published planning, zoning, subdivision, site-plan, building, plumbing, mechanical, demolition, moving, sign, and re-inspection fees administered by the City of Lawrenceburg.

    • The schedule states that fees are non-refundable.
    • Plans must be submitted with fees paid before placement on the agenda.
    • Building permit fees vary by total valuation; plumbing and mechanical fees are calculated separately.
    • Fees are doubled when covered work begins before permit issuance.
    • The cited schedule is municipal and does not establish fees for unincorporated Lawrence County.

    building permit processing fee: 10 USD (non-refundable) · building plan review fee: 150 USD (when a building plan is required by the Building Official; two copies of plans required) · residential demolition fee: 50 USD (commercial or industrial demolition is $100) · re-inspection fee: 20 USD (due to failure of previous inspection) · building permit valuation fee: $20 minimum up to $1,000; graduated schedule thereafter USD (valuation bands continue through $500,000 and above)

    “Non-refundable processing fee $10.00 [...] When a building plan is required by the Building Official, a fee of $150.00 shall be paid along with the submittal of two (2) copies of the plans.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — City of Lawrenceburg subdivision, site-plan, annexation, partition, plat, construction-drawing, rezoning, and Board of Zoning Appeals applications.
      “Construction Drawings | $500 + $10 per lot”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    City of Lawrenceburg planning and zoning applications, including subdivision plats, site plans, rezonings, and related development submissions.

    • Applications are submitted through the City’s planning and zoning portal.
    • Fees must be paid before placement on the Planning Commission agenda.
    • Submittals received after noon are not accepted for review.
    • Significantly incomplete submittals may not be accepted or considered.
    • Final plats must be recorded within one year after preliminary-plat approval.
    • Improvements must be made or bonds posted before final-plat recording.
    • The Building Official collects recording fees and records documents at the Register of Lawrence County.
    “all Planning and Zoning related applications must be submitted through the portal.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Planning, zoning, subdivision, site-plan, and building-permit procedures within the City of Lawrenceburg.
      “As of January 15th, 2026, all Planning and Zoning related applications must be submitted through the portal. [...] A final plat must be recorded within one year from approval of Preliminary Plat. Developers pay Final Plat fees.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements for property in unincorporated Lawrence County.
  • Building height — Building-height requirements for structures in unincorporated Lawrence County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land in unincorporated Lawrence County, Tennessee.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes as residences in unincorporated Lawrence County, Tennessee, including tiny homes built on chassis or foundations.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Lawrence County, Tennessee.
4 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 Lawrence County, Tennessee

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

Lawrence County scores 81/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and strong self-sufficiency basics: 58.3″/yr rainfall plus 50.1% wooded land.

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

Lawrence County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county 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 Lawrence County, Tennessee?

Land in Lawrence County runs about $4,579 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Lawrence County?

Lawrence County gets about 58.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.2% of years.

How remote is Lawrence County?

A representative private-land location has about 37,851 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,276,070 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.

How Lawrence compares in Tennessee

Compare side-by-side →See all 95 Tennessee counties ranked →