Bolthole Index

Marion County, Tennessee

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Marion County, Tennessee

71Index Score / 100
#49 of 95 in Tennessee

Unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee requires a county building permit for residential and other listed construction, issued by Marion County Building and Planning.1 The county has no zoning outside its cities, so no county rule sets minimum house size, lot coverage or RV occupancy, though setbacks and building inspections still apply.234 Septic permits come from the state, through TDEC.5

At a glance

Building permit
Required for residential and other listed construction in unincorporated Marion County1
Zoning
No county zoning in unincorporated Marion County; private restrictions and city rules may still apply2
Septic
State septic construction permit from TDEC; the county asks for the septic application or verification with the building permit56
Setbacks
General county setbacks are 40 feet front and 15 feet at the sides and rear4
Mobile homes
County inspection and permit required before placement, with stated lot and setback rules7
Owner-builder
Allowed for an individual-use home under Tennessee's conditions89
State-highway driveway
A TDOT permit is required before construction, modification or a change in use10
RV or tiny home living
No county zoning rule on RV or tiny-home occupancy; a tiny home built as a residence still needs a building permit31
Floodplain
Flood Elevation Certificate required before a building permit in the floodplain or where elevation is questionable11

Who to call

Building permits

Marion County Building and Planning

Building permitting and planning assistance for unincorporated Marion County

423 942 8019

gyeargan@marioncountytn.net

Online permits →

Septic permits

TDEC Chattanooga Environmental Field Office

TDEC environmental field-office contact for Marion County, including Division of Water Resources assistance

(423) 634-5745

1301 Riverfront Parkway | Suite #206 | Chattanooga, TN 37402

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Marion 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 Marion County, Tennessee?

Yes. Unincorporated Marion County requires a county building permit for listed work that includes residential, commercial and storage construction, pole barns, mobile homes, decks, in-ground pools, roof-mounted solar panels, plumbing and mechanical work.1 Property inside a Marion County city goes through that city instead; the county's building permit rules cover unincorporated land only.1

Before the county application is complete, the permit procedure calls for a septic application or verification, two sets of scaled drawings, tax-map and parcel numbers, and a 9-1-1 address.12 Once the application is in, the permit is normally ready for pickup in 24 to 48 hours, and the plans must stay on the job site.12 The statewide residential permit program applies only where the State Fire Marshal administers it, so start with the county office rather than the state fee table.1314

Who issues building permits in Marion County, Tennessee?

Marion County Building and Planning is the starting point for building permits on unincorporated land, and its official page links to the county's online permitting portal.14 The office can be reached at 423 942 8019 or gyeargan@marioncountytn.net.14

Bring the parcel's tax-map and parcel identifiers, its emergency-services address, septic documentation and scaled plans when preparing the application.1 For land inside an incorporated city, contact the city because city permitting applies there.1 An owner may act as builder for a Tennessee home intended for the owner's individual use, but the state limits that route to one permit every two years and excludes a residence built for sale, lease or rent.9 If the owner hires a contractor paid more than $25,000, the contractor is treated as the licensed prime and must obtain the permit for inspections.9

Does Marion County, Tennessee have zoning?

Unincorporated Marion County has no county zoning.2 Because of that, no county rule sets a minimum house size, lot coverage, building height or accessory dwelling limit.3 The building permit system and the general setbacks still apply: 40 feet from the front property line and 15 feet from each side and the rear, measured from property lines rather than the road.4

A deed, recorded plat, development restriction or homeowners association may impose private limits, and incorporated cities may administer their own local rules.152 Mobile homes have their own rules: an individual lot, a county pre-placement inspection, a mobile-home permit, and setup by a Tennessee-authorized installer.7 The mobile-home permit fee is $75 after review and the required pre-installation inspection.16

How do septic permits work in Marion County, Tennessee?

Septic permits in Marion County are issued by the state, not the county. Marion County is not among Tennessee's contract counties, so the TDEC Division of Water Resources process applies, and the TDEC Chattanooga Environmental Field Office serves the county.517 A Septic System Construction Permit is required before installing, modifying or repairing a septic system.18

The county building permit then depends on that paperwork: the county procedure requires a copy of the septic application, or a Verification of System form when an existing system will be reused, from the groundwater office at Monteagle City Hall.6 The published state fee is $400 for a new conventional system up to 1,000 gallons per day and $500 for a new alternative system at that flow; repair permits carry no permit fee.18

Only 4.8% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so a soil evaluation before you choose a house site matters here.19 Septic inspection details and private-well permitting could not be confirmed; ask TDEC.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Marion County, Tennessee?

No county rule on RV or tiny-home occupancy exists in unincorporated Marion County, because the county has no zoning ordinance.3 That is not a free pass on sanitation: any septic system you install still needs a TDEC permit.18 We could not confirm county rules on utility hookups or off-grid sanitation, so ask Marion County Building and Planning before moving an RV onto a parcel.14

A tiny home built as a residence is different from an RV, because residential construction is among the work needing a county building permit and the general setbacks apply.14 A mobile home follows its own path: county inspection and a mobile-home permit before installation, a Tennessee-authorized installer, and an individual lot.7

What are the steps to build a home in Marion County, Tennessee?

For a home on unincorporated Marion County land, use this order:

  1. Confirm that the parcel lies outside an incorporated city, because city property uses that city's permitting.1
  2. Review the deed and plat for private restrictions, then lay out the house using the 40-foot front and 15-foot side and rear setbacks.154
  3. Apply for the TDEC septic construction permit early, and get a copy of the application for the county.56
  4. If the parcel is in a floodplain or its elevation is questionable, get a Flood Elevation Certificate before applying.11
  5. Get a 9-1-1 address, prepare two sets of scaled drawings, and apply with Marion County Building and Planning.1214
  6. Request the required inspections, including footing, slab, foundation, rough-in and final; electrical inspections go through the local utility.20
  7. Provide the termite service record before the final inspection and certificate of occupancy.21
  8. If the driveway enters a state highway right-of-way, get TDOT approval first.10

What should you check before buying land in Marion County, Tennessee?

Start with buildability, not the asking price. Only 40.7% of Marion County land is at a slope of 15% or less, and just 4.8% of its soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.2219 Those countywide figures do not decide an individual parcel, but they make a site-specific soil evaluation, driveway layout and house pad review especially valuable before closing.

Confirm legal access and identify whether the road is county-maintained or a state highway; a driveway on state-highway right-of-way requires a TDOT permit before construction, modification or change in use.10 We could not confirm a general Marion County driveway-permit rule for county roads, so ask the county office before finalizing access.14 If any part of the parcel lies in the floodplain, the county requires a Flood Elevation Certificate before a building permit.11 Verify water availability directly with the serving utility or a qualified well professional because a countywide well-permit answer could not be confirmed. The county's effective property-tax rate is about 0.4%, with a median annual bill of $771.2324

Watch-outs

  • No county zoning does not mean no constraints: unincorporated parcels still need building permits, inspections and setbacks, and may carry private restrictions.214
  • Mobile homes need a county pre-placement inspection and permit before placement, plus setup by a Tennessee-authorized installer.7
  • Private-well permitting, off-grid sanitation and driveway permits on county roads could not be confirmed; ask Marion County Building and Planning and TDEC.1417

Sources

  1. Services — Marion County, quoted and re-checked
  2. marioncountytn.net, quoted and re-checked
  3. Tennessee law on county zoning and building authority
  4. Marion County Planning and Building Office Procedures and Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  5. Septic System Construction Permit, quoted and re-checked
  6. Marion County Planning and Building Office Procedures and Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  7. Required Building Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  8. Owner/Builder Agreement (2026 county census)
  9. Can I build my own home without a license? (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Highway Entrance Permits (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Marion County Planning and Building Office Procedures and Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  12. Marion County Planning and Building Office Procedures and Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  13. Residential Permit FAQs (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Marion County Building and Planning (marioncountytn.net)
  15. marioncountytn.net, quoted and re-checked
  16. Mobile Home Permit Procedures, quoted and re-checked
  17. TDEC Chattanooga Environmental Field Office (tn.gov)
  18. Septic System Construction Permit (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. 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
  20. Required Building Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  21. marioncountytn.net, quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 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 3 of the 4 neighbors with published rules, Marion County has no countywide zoning.

RuleMarion CountyGrundy CountySequatchie CountyFranklin CountyHamilton CountyCoffee CountyBledsoe County
Building permitRequiredNot requiredNot requiredRequiredRequiredRequiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNot publishedYesYesYesNot published
Septic permitsTDECTDECTDECTDECCounty Groundwater ProtectionTDECTDEC

County locator

Marion County in Tennessee

71
County map
Marion County highlighted among the Tennessee counties · colored by Index score

How Marion County scores

Seclusion48100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness63100% ev.
Durability54100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost81100% 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 →

$267kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$5,249Land / acre
61.5"Annual rain
7.1% of yrsSevere drought
4.4 / yr (+4.2)Mid-century 100°F days
13.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.66" (+10.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.5×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,823Home insurance / yr
0.7% / yrInsurance growth
0.94%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
17,225People within 30 min
4,238,284People within 2 hr
50,238Radius comparison (15 mi)
59People / sq mi
0.4%Federal land
40.7%Land at 15% slope or less
4.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
12,883 acWorkable land screen
82.4%Wooded land
55.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
58.5°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Marion 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 Jasper · Town of Kimball · New Hope · Town of Orme · Town of Powells Crossroads · South Pittsburg · Whitwell

Answers from the rulebook for Marion County

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

Marion County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction requiring a Marion County building permit in unincorporated Marion County.

    • The county building office issues permits for listed construction categories including commercial, residential, storage, pole barns, mechanical, plumbing, decks, in-ground pools, cell towers, roof-mounted solar panels, and mobile homes.
    • The procedures document requires a septic application or verification, two sets of scaled drawings, tax map and parcel numbers, and a 9-1-1 address before the application is completed.
    • Permitting for property in county cities is through the city.
    “The Building Office issues building permits”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Owner-builder construction by an owner constructing an individual-use structure in Marion County.

    • The owner must acquire proper permits.
    • The structure must be for individual use and not for resale, lease, rent, or similar purposes.
    • The owner must perform or directly supervise the work on the owner’s property in the owner’s county of residence.
    • The exemption is unavailable if the owner constructs more than one single residence within two years.
    • Violations may result in denial or revocation of permits and stop-work orders.

    maximum single residences under exemption: <= 1 residence per two years

    “COUNTY will allow an OWNER who acquires the proper permits to act as its/their own contractor and construct its/their own single residence, farm building or other structure for individual use in accordance with T.C.A. Section 62-6 103 (a)(2)(A).”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Owner-builder residential construction and residential structures governed by Marion County's Owner/Builder Agreement.

    • The owner must acquire the proper permits.
    • The owner-builder exemption is limited by the cited Tennessee statutes to qualifying owner construction and supervision circumstances.
    • The agreement states the structure is not for resale, lease, rent, or similar purposes and that the owner has not obtained a building permit to construct a residence in Marion County during the prior two years.
    • The owner must perform or directly supervise construction and comply with applicable subdivision regulations, state or local zoning laws, resolutions or ordinances, and other applicable construction or contracting laws.
    • The document is revised 03/30/2026; that revision date is not treated as an effective date.

    building code edition: 2018 International Building Code (as amended from time to time)

    “it is my responsibility to fully and completely comply with all provisions of the 2018 International Building Code, as amended from time to time”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building inspections for permitted structures in unincorporated Marion County.

    • Required inspections include footing, slab, foundation, rough-in, applicable spray-foam insulation, and final inspection.
    • Insulation inspections other than spray foam are not required.
    • Electrical inspections are not completed by the county office and must be coordinated with the local utility company.
    • A second reinspection costs $25.00 for each additional inspection.

    additional reinspection fee after one free reinspection: 25 USD (per additional inspection)

    “Final Inspection: Before the structure can be occupied this inspection must be completed. All safety features must be in place i.e., smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, handrails and guards.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Certificate of occupancy issuance for structures subject to Marion County building inspection in unincorporated Marion County.

    • A final inspection must be completed before occupancy.
    • All required inspections must be requested and passed.
    • A termite service record must be in the building permit file before the final inspection and certificate of occupancy are issued.
    “A copy of the New Construction Subterranean Termite Service Record letter must be in the Building Permit file in our office before a Final Inspection will be completed and a Certificate of Occupancy issued.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    County zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee.

    • The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations.
    • Incorporated cities in Marion County may administer their own local rules.
    “There is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Local zoningAbsent

    County zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee.

    • Some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or Homeowners Associations.
    • The FAQ advises reviewing those private restrictions before making building plans and states that copies should be registered in the Register of Deeds office.
    • This claim does not determine zoning in incorporated municipalities.
    “Although there is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Zoning districtsNot published

    County zoning districts in unincorporated Marion County.

    • The county states there is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County.
    • Private covenants, restrictions, provisions, and homeowners associations may still affect particular properties.
    “Although there is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee some plats/developments do have covenants, restrictions, provisions and/or Homeowners Associations (HOAs) that should be reviewed before making any plans on what you can build on a specific piece of property.”
  • Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Marion County: no county rule sets this, because Marion County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations.
    • Incorporated cities in Marion County may administer their own local rules.
    “There is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Minimum lot sizes stated for mobile homes and certain lots without public water in unincorporated Marion County.

    • For mobile homes, the county states 15,000 square feet with public water and 25,000 square feet with well water.
    • For areas which may have unstable soils, a lot without public water must be at least 25,000 square feet.
    • These are not stated as a general countywide minimum for every land use.

    mobile-home lot with public water: 15000 square feet · mobile-home lot with well water: 25000 square feet · lot without public water in unstable-soil procedure: >= 25000 square feet

    “If there is public water on the property the minimum lot size is 15,000 square feet, and b. If there is well water the minimum lot size is 25,000 square feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    General building setbacks stated by the Marion County Building and Planning Office for unincorporated property.

    • Setbacks are measured from property lines, not the road or right-of-way.

    front setback: 40 feet · side setback: 15 feet · rear setback: 15 feet

    “Front – 40 Feet; Side – 15 Feet; Rear – 15 Feet”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Marion County: no county rule sets this, because Marion County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations.
    • Incorporated cities in Marion County may administer their own local rules.
    “There is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Building height · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Marion County: no county rule sets this, because Marion County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations.
    • Incorporated cities in Marion County may administer their own local rules.
    “There is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Living in an RV · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Marion County: no county rule sets this, because Marion County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations.
    • Incorporated cities in Marion County may administer their own local rules.
    “There is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Camping on your land · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Marion County: no county rule sets this, because Marion County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations.
    • Incorporated cities in Marion County may administer their own local rules.
    “There is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Tiny homes · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Marion County: no county rule sets this, because Marion County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations.
    • Incorporated cities in Marion County may administer their own local rules.
    “There is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured/mobile-home placement and occupancy in unincorporated Marion County.

    • All mobile homes must be placed on an individual lot.
    • Minimum lot size is 15,000 square feet with public water and 25,000 square feet with well water.
    • Mobile-home setbacks are 40 feet front, 15 feet side, and 25 feet rear.
    • A licensed installer authorized by Tennessee must set up the mobile home.
    • A county pre-placement inspection and mobile-home permit are required before installation.

    minimum lot size with public water: 15000 square feet · minimum lot size with well water: 25000 square feet · front setback: 40 feet · side setback: 15 feet · rear setback: 25 feet

    “all Mobile Homes must be placed on an individual lot.”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Marion County: no county rule sets this, because Marion County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations.
    • Incorporated cities in Marion County may administer their own local rules.
    “There is no zoning in unincorporated Marion County, Tennessee”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Septic documentation required for building permits in unincorporated Marion County.

    • A copy of the septic-system application, or a verification-of-system form when an existing system will be used, must accompany the building permit process.
    • The procedure identifies the groundwater agency office at Monteagle City Hall.
    “Copy of the Application for Septic System from Marion County Division of Groundwater, located at 16 Dixie Lee Avenue, Monteagle City Hall, Monteagle, TN phone 931 924 3444. Or if you apply and pay for the application online, we require a copy of that receipt and all associated paperwork. If an existing system is going to be used, you will need to obtain a Verification of System form from this agency.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plat review, approval, and recording in unincorporated Marion County.

    • All plats are submitted to the county Planning Office.
    • Plat Review Day deadlines apply; plats must be submitted by noon CST on Plat Review Day to be placed on the next meeting agenda.
    • Two copies are required unless new roads are involved, when three copies are required.
    • Approved plats must be registered with the Register of Deeds before lots can be sold.
    “All plats must be submitted to the Marion County Planning Office no later than Noon CST of Plat Review Day in order to be placed on the next meeting’s Agenda; otherwise it will be placed on the following month’s Agenda.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Floodplain-related building-permit documentation and administration in unincorporated Marion County.

    • A Flood Elevation Certificate must be submitted before a building permit for property lying in the floodplain or where elevation is questionable.
    • The county Building Inspector administers and implements the county Floodplain Resolution.
    • Established flood-zone properties requiring a FEMA Base Elevation Certificate must provide a finished-floor elevation by a licensed surveyor before scheduling the final inspection.
    “Any property lying in the floodplain or if a property’s elevation is questionable, a Flood Elevation Certificate must be submitted prior to issuance of a Building Permit.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Mobile Home Permit applications in unincorporated areas of Marion County.

    • The $75 fee is due after the review process and required Pre-Installation Inspection are complete.
    • Credit and debit card payments incur a 3.00% clearing-house processing fee.
    • The document states that after issuance the Mobile Home Permit fee is not refundable or transferable.
    • This claim does not establish the fee for every type of building permit.

    mobile home permit fee: 75 USD · card processing fee: 3 percent (charged by the clearing house for credit/debit card payments)

    “Once the review process and the required Pre-Installation Inspection are complete, you will be systematically notified for payment of the $75.00 permit fee.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Published building-permit process for unincorporated Marion County.

    • The process requires a septic application or verification, two sets of scaled drawings, tax map and parcel numbers, and a 9-1-1 address.
    • Permits are normally available for pickup within 24 to 48 hours after submission.
    • The permit and plans must be kept on the job site, and a job box must remain on site.

    normal permit availability: 24 to 48 hours (normally)

    “With the above information, you may complete an Application for a Building Permit. Once the application is submitted, normally our office will have your permit available for you to pick up in 24 to 48 hours. At the time, you pick the permit up, you will be required to pay for the permit and receive your set of plans. Your plans must be kept on the job site at all times.”

Tennessee rules that apply here

  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Subsurface sewage disposal system permitting and related septic services for Marion County, including installation and repair of septic systems.

    • TDEC states that any individual or property owner installing a septic system or repairing an existing faulty system must obtain a Septic System Construction Permit.
    • TDEC's online-application page identifies the contract counties as Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby, and Williamson; Marion County is not listed, so the state Division of Water Resources process applies to Marion County.
    • Completed applications and fees are sent to the Division of Water Resources at the appropriate Environmental Field Office; review generally takes 10 days and must be completed within 45 days of submission.
    • State-listed fees include $400 for a new conventional or large-diameter graveless-pipe permit up to 1,000 gallons per day, $100 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day, $100 for conventional construction inspection, $500 for an alternative permit up to 1,000 gallons per day, $150 for each additional 1,000 gallons per day, $200 for alternative construction inspection, $500 for an experimental permit, no permit fee for a repair permit, and $100 for repair construction inspection.
    • Marion County's official Building and Planning page provides a Septic Information link but does not identify a separate county septic permitting authority.
    “For all non-contract counties, applications and fee payments for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Construction Permits can be submitted through the service request form.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Tennessee subsurface sewage disposal system construction permitting and related SSDS administration statewide.
      “Permit packages and Certificate of Completion Packages for sites located in the contract counties listed below should be submitted directly to the contract county.”
    • 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 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.”
  • 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

    Buildings or structures on land used for agricultural purposes and subject to county zoning regulation in Tennessee.

    • The building or structure must be located on lands devoted to agricultural uses.
    • The building or structure must be incidental to the agricultural enterprise.
    • The exemption does not apply to agricultural lands adjacent or in proximity to state or federal-aid highways, public airports, or public parks.
    • The exemption does not apply to land located within the one-hundred-year flood plain.
    • The Attorney General opinion states that the provision applies to counties only and has no application to municipalities.
    • There is no blanket exemption for cotton gins, grain elevators, slaughterhouses, processing plants, or milk bottling plants; those structures qualify only when the statutory conditions are met.
    “it must be located on lands “devoted to agricultural uses;” and (2) it must be “incidental to the agricultural enterprise.””
  • Driveway accessLimited

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

    • The requirement applies to state highway right-of-way and does not establish a permit requirement for every driveway on every road.
    • Property owners must obtain the permit from TDOT.
    • County or municipal land-use regulations may also apply.
    “Under state law, a permit is required before construction of a driveway on state highway right-of-way, including the modification, revision, or change in use”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    County legislative bodies adopting zoning regulations for portions of Tennessee counties outside municipal corporations.

    • The authority is exercised under the conditions and procedures in Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 13-7-101 through 13-7-119.
    • The grant applies to portions of counties outside municipal corporations.
    • County zoning authority does not authorize county building permits or regulation of buildings or structures on agricultural land when the building or structure is incidental to the agricultural enterprise, except on agricultural lands adjacent or in proximity to state federal-aid highways, public airports or public parks.
    • The agricultural-land limitation applies to counties only and has no application to municipalities.
    “Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-7-101, et seq., the General Assembly has expressly delegated the authority to county legislative bodies to enact zoning regulations and create a board of zoning appeals.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in Marion County.
  • Well permit — Private well permitting in Marion County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term-rental regulation in Marion County.

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 Marion County, Tennessee

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

Marion County scores 71/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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

Marion County generally requires a residential building permit, 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Marion County is allowed: Unincorporated Marion County: no county rule sets this, because Marion County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance. Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits. The county FAQ states that some plats or developments may have private covenants, restrictions, provisions, or homeowners associations. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Marion County, Tennessee?

Land in Marion County runs about $5,249 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Marion County?

Marion County gets about 61.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 7.1% of years.

How remote is Marion County?

A representative private-land location has about 17,225 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,238,284 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 Marion compares in Tennessee

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