Our site plan creator webtool is for preliminary, conceptual site plans where local rules allow homeowner or contractor‑prepared drawings. It is not a licensed survey or sealed engineering plan. Always verify requirements with your local building department.
What Makes Tennessee Different
Tennessee's approach to site plans is shaped by a unique combination of state law, local control, and a practical, no‑nonsense attitude toward residential construction.
The state leaves it to local jurisdictions. Tennessee has no statewide mandate requiring a licensed surveyor for residential site plans. The Tennessee State Building Code sets the baseline — requiring a site plan or dimensioned aerial view showing fire department access — but local jurisdictions can (and do) add their own requirements.
Hand‑drawn plans are explicitly accepted in some cities. Elizabethton's building department states plainly: "This site plan can be hand drawn". That's a direct green light for homeowners and small contractors to prepare their own plans.
Owner‑builders can pull permits. If you're building your own primary residence, you can pull permits as an owner‑builder. The threshold for requiring a licensed contractor is typically $25,000 — any project over that must be pulled either by a licensed Tennessee contractor or by the homeowner.
But local rules vary widely. Washington County requires a site plan for the planning commission with a six‑month expiration. Loudon County requires plans designed by a licensed professional engineer, architect, or landscape architect. Jefferson City may require a boundary line survey prepared by a qualified surveyor.
Nashville has the state's strictest process. Metro Codes & Building Safety requires a site plan for new construction, additions, and any work with site disturbance. Single‑family residences generally don't need sealed plans — but commercial and larger residential projects do.
Plan review timelines are regulated. Under state law, local governments have 60 business days to review development applications and either approve them or provide a written report of deficiencies. This gives homeowners and contractors some leverage when dealing with slow building departments.
The Survey Requirement: What You Actually Need
This is one of the most confusing parts of Tennessee's site plan landscape. Here's the breakdown:
Many cities do NOT require a sealed survey. Elizabethton, McMinnville, Cannon County, and others accept homeowner‑prepared or hand‑drawn site plans. In McMinnville, you need "two copies of a plot plan drawn to scale" — not a sealed survey.
Some cities require a surveyor's seal. Loudon County requires site plans to be "designed by a professional engineer, architect or landscape architect licensed to practice in Tennessee". Jefferson City's building official "may require a boundary line survey prepared by a qualified surveyor". Baneberry requires site plans "prepared, signed, dated, and sealed by a surveyor or engineer".
Nashville has tiered requirements. Site plans and building plans are required for all new buildings and additions. Single‑family residences generally do not need sealed plans, but larger projects do.
The bottom line: Before you start drawing, call your local building department and ask: "For a [shed/deck/addition] permit, do you accept a homeowner‑prepared site plan, or do I need a surveyor's stamp?" That one question will save you weeks of frustration.
What Tennessee Building Departments Ask For On A Site Plan
Based on requirements across the state, a complete Tennessee site plan typically includes:
| Element | What to Show | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Property boundaries | Lot lines with accurate dimensions and total area | Establishes where your property starts and ends |
| Existing structures | Building footprints, square footage, and use | Shows what's already on the property |
| Proposed structures | Clearly distinguished from existing with dimensions | Shows what you're adding |
| Setbacks | Distances from structures to property lines | Most common rejection reason |
| Easements | Location, width, and purpose of utility and drainage easements | You can't build on easements |
| Streets and rights‑of‑way | Street names, widths, and ROW dimensions | Establishes property access |
| Parking | Number and location of parking spaces | Required in many zoning ordinances |
| Floodplain information | Location of flood zones and wetland areas | Required if present |
| Drainage and grading | Direction of water runoff and elevation markings | Prevents water damage |
| North arrow & scale | Orientation and measurement reference | Required on every plan |
| Title block | Address, owner name, project description, date | Identifies the project |
Common scale requirements:
- Loudon County: not less than 1" = 20'
- Washington County: 1" = 20' for small tracts, 1" = 60' for large tracts
- Minimum: tabloid size (11" × 17") paper
Copy requirements:
- McMinnville: two copies of plot plan
- Loudon County: two copies and a digital version
- Jefferson City: two sets for residential, four for commercial
- Knox County: one copy; if larger than 11"×14", PDF required
City and County Notes: What You Need to Know
Nashville / Davidson County
Nashville has the most structured process in the state. Metro Codes & Building Safety requires a site plan for new construction, additions, and any work with site disturbance. Single‑family residences don't need sealed plans, but commercial and larger projects do.
Applications are submitted through the ePermits portal or emailed to zoninghelpdesk@nashville.gov. Plan review typically takes 10‑30 days. Required site plan elements include property boundaries, setbacks per Title 17, existing and proposed structures, lot coverage, impervious surface ratio, and Floor Area Ratio.
Properties inside Nashville city limits require permits from the City of Nashville; properties in unincorporated Davidson County require permits from the county building department.
Memphis / Shelby County
Memphis operates under the Office of Construction Code Enforcement (CCE). Site plan requirements vary by zoning district:
- R‑6 zones (6,000 sq ft lots): front setback 25 ft, side 5 ft, rear 20 ft, 40% lot coverage
- R‑8 zones: 8‑ft side setbacks, 35% coverage
- R‑10 zones: 30‑ft front setbacks, 30% coverage
- R‑15 estate zones: 35‑ft front, 10‑ft side setbacks
Residential permits require construction documents: site plan showing the addition footprint and setback compliance, architectural drawings, and structural drawings. The site plan must include location, dimensions, floor area, and height of all buildings and structures.
Knox County
Knoxville‑Knox County Planning requires a site plan with every permit application. Bring one copy of plans including a site plan; if larger than 11"×14", provide a PDF. Commercial plans must be stamped by a Tennessee‑licensed architect or engineer. Plan review typically takes 1‑2 weeks for routine projects.
Owner‑builder note: Knoxville permits a broad range of owner‑builder projects. If your site plan suggests you're building over known karst features, the inspector may flag it and require a soils report.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga homeowners must submit a residential site plan for most building permits — from decks and additions to ADUs and pools. Requirements flow from the City of Chattanooga's Zoning Ordinance and the Tennessee Building Code.
Other Tennessee Cities
- Elizabethton: Hand‑drawn site plans accepted. Show dimensions and distances from property lines.
- McMinnville: Two copies of a plot plan drawn to scale showing setbacks.
- Woodbury / Cannon County: Site plan required showing structure location and setbacks.
- Jefferson City: Two hard copies for residential, four for commercial. Building official may require a boundary line survey.
- Oak Ridge: Owner‑builders allowed for owner‑occupied residential projects.
Projects That Need A Site Plan In Tennessee
| Project | Site Plan Required? | Survey Required? | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New single‑family home | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Varies | Nashville: no seal required for single‑family |
| Addition (footprint changes) | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Varies | Site plan required for all additions |
| Detached garage | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Varies | Accessory structures require permits |
| Shed | ⚠️ Varies | ❌ Usually not | Playhouses, treehouses under 120 sq ft may be exempt |
| Deck | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Varies | Chattanooga requires site plans for decks |
| Fence | ⚠️ Varies | ❌ Usually not | Check with your local building department |
| Pool | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Varies | In‑ground and above‑ground pools require site plans |
| ADU | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Varies | Site plan required |
| Renovations (no footprint change) | ⚠️ Site plan may not be required | ❌ Usually not | Nashville: building plans only, unless site work involved |
What Reviewers Actually Look For
Based on official Tennessee checklists, here's what plan reviewers check first:
| Review Item | Why It Gets Flagged |
|---|---|
| No scale | Plans must be drawn to scale — minimum 1" = 20' in many counties |
| No north arrow | Orientation reference required on every plan |
| No setbacks shown | Most common rejection reason — all structure‑to‑property‑line distances must be dimensioned |
| No easements shown | Utility and drainage easements must be shown with dimensions |
| No floodplain information | Must be shown if present |
| No property line dimensions | Accurate lot dimensions required |
| Missing tax map and parcel number | Required in many counties |
| Septic or well not shown | Required if applicable |
| Plans not legible | All plans must be clear and legible |
Tennessee County‑by‑County Coverage
Our site plan generator is actively expanding coverage across Tennessee. Currently supported counties include:
| County | Status | Key Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson | ✅ Supported | Nashville |
| Shelby | ✅ Supported | Memphis |
| Knox | ✅ Supported | Knoxville |
| Hamilton | ✅ Supported | Chattanooga |
| Williamson | ✅ Supported | Franklin |
| Rutherford | ✅ Supported | Murfreesboro |
| Additional counties | 🚀 Adding regularly | Check back for updates |
Coverage note: Some areas show cleaner property lines than others. If your property lines don't look right in our online site plan maker, verify with your county GIS or the county register's office. You can also use the done‑for‑you option from SitePlans.us (non‑certified, permit‑ready only).
How Our Site Plan Creator Helps In Tennessee
Our site plan creator webtool is built for Tennessee homeowners and contractors who need a clean, readable site plan to start their permit application — without learning CAD or waiting on a drafter.
What our online site plan maker can do:
- Enter your Tennessee address — pull property lines and site context
- Add your proposed project — shed, fence, deck, patio, pool, garage, ADU, or addition
- Label distances and setbacks — show required setbacks from property lines
- Add floodplain and septic notes — if applicable
- Export a clean, permit‑style PDF — ready for submission
Important: Tennessee cities vary widely in their site plan requirements. Some accept hand‑drawn plans; others require sealed engineering drawings. Our browser‑based site plan maker does not provide surveys or sealed plans. Use it for:
- Early project visualization
- Creating a draft to share with a licensed professional
- Understanding what information you need
- Projects where the building department accepts homeowner‑prepared plans
If your project is complex, has been rejected, is urgent, or requires a human‑reviewed plan, consider the done‑for‑you option from SitePlans.us (non‑certified, permit‑ready only).
When To Use Our Site Plan Generator vs A Surveyor
| Situation | Best Path |
|---|---|
| New home construction (Nashville) | Our site plan generator for planning; verify if seal required — single‑family generally no seal needed |
| New home construction (Loudon County) | Licensed engineer, architect, or landscape architect (seal required) |
| Major addition | Our site plan generator for planning; verify if seal required |
| Detached garage | Our site plan generator for planning; verify if seal required |
| Small shed, deck, fence | Our site plan generator for planning; hand‑drawn may be accepted in some cities |
| Property line uncertainty | Licensed land surveyor |
| Project in floodplain | Licensed surveyor + engineer |
| City reviewer rejects your plan | Licensed professional or done‑for‑you service |
Step‑By‑Step: Create A Site Plan For A Tennessee Property
- Verify your jurisdiction's requirements — Call your local building department and ask: "For a [shed/deck/addition] permit, do you accept a homeowner‑prepared site plan, or do I need a surveyor's stamp?"
- Check if you need a survey — Some counties require sealed plans; others accept hand‑drawn.
- Enter the property address — Start with your Tennessee address in our site plan creator webtool.
- Check the property lines — Review the parcel data shown. Verify with your county GIS if something looks off.
- Look up your zoning district — Check with your city or county planning department for setback requirements.
- Add the project type — Select shed, fence, deck, patio, pool , garage], ADU, or addition.
- Show distances and setbacks — Label distances from proposed structures to property lines.
- Add septic and well locations — if applicable.
- Add floodplain information — if applicable.
- Add labels and notes — Autogenreated North arrow, scale, title block, tax map and parcel number, and any site‑specific notes.
- Export the PDF — Download your preliminary site plan.
- Submit to your local Building Department — Many Tennessee cities accept digital submissions.
- Confirm with the Building Department — Verify whether your specific project requires a sealed plan.
Common Mistakes That Delay Tennessee Permits
| Mistake | What To Do Instead |
|---|---|
| No scale | Plans must be drawn to scale — minimum 1" = 20' in many counties |
| No setbacks shown | All structure‑to‑property‑line distances must be dimensioned |
| No property line dimensions | Accurate lot dimensions required |
| No easements shown | Utility and drainage easements must be shown |
| Missing tax map and parcel number | Required in many counties |
| No septic or well shown | Required if applicable |
| Assuming hand‑drawn is accepted everywhere | Some counties require sealed plans |
| Not checking city vs. county rules | Each of Tennessee's 95 counties has unique requirements |
| Wrong number of copies | Some jurisdictions require multiple copies |
FAQ
1. Do I need a site plan for a permit in Tennessee?
Yes. Most building permit applications require a site plan. The Tennessee State Building Code requires a site plan or dimensioned aerial view showing fire department access.
2. Can I draw my own site plan in Tennessee?
Yes, in many cities. Elizabethton explicitly accepts hand‑drawn site plans. McMinnville and Cannon County also accept homeowner‑prepared plans. However, some counties require sealed plans. Always check with your local building department.
3. Do I need a survey for a site plan in Tennessee?
It depends on your jurisdiction. Many cities accept homeowner‑prepared plans without a survey. Some cities may require a boundary line survey. Others require plans designed by a licensed professional.
4. What should a Tennessee site plan show?
A Tennessee site plan should show: property boundaries with dimensions, tax map and parcel number, existing and proposed structures, setbacks, easements, floodplain information (if applicable), septic and well locations (if applicable), north arrow, scale, and title block.
5. What is the owner‑builder rule in Tennessee?
If you're building your own primary residence, you can pull permits as an owner‑builder. Projects over $25,000 must be pulled either by a licensed Tennessee contractor or by the homeowner.
6. What are the setback requirements in Tennessee?
Setbacks vary by city and zoning district. In Memphis, R‑6 zones require 25‑ft front, 5‑ft side, and 20‑ft rear setbacks. Nashville setbacks are governed by Title 17. Always check your specific jurisdiction.
7. What size shed requires a permit in Tennessee?
Playhouses, treehouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet may be exempt in Memphis. Always check with your local building department.
8. Can I use our site plan generator for a permit in Tennessee?
Yes, for early planning and visualization. Our site plan creator helps you create a preliminary site plan from your address. However, some Tennessee counties require sealed plans for final submission. Always verify with your local building department.
9. What if my city requires a survey for a permit?
If your city requires a survey, you'll need to hire a Tennessee‑licensed professional. Our online site plan maker is not a survey. Check with your building department first.
10. What are the plan review timelines in Tennessee?
Under state law, local governments have 60 business days to review development applications. Nashville plan reviews typically take 10‑30 days. Knoxville takes 1‑2 weeks for routine projects.
11. Does our site plan creator guarantee my permit will be approved?
No. Our site plan creator helps you prepare a preliminary, conceptual site plan. Final acceptance depends on your local building department, zoning office, HOA, and project scope.
12. When should I use SitePlans.us instead of our site plan creator?
Use SitePlans.us when your project is complex, has been rejected, is urgent, requires human review, or when you want a non‑certified permit‑ready plan prepared by a professional.
13. Can contractors use our site plan generator for client projects?
Yes. Contractor Pro and Builder plans are designed for GCs, fence contractors, deck contractors, pool contractors, and small builders who need site plans for multiple client projects.
14. Can a homeowner submit a site plan from our site plan creator themselves?
Yes, for early planning purposes. However, some Tennessee counties require sealed plans for final submission. Homeowners should verify with the building department whether a survey or sealed plan is required for their specific project.
15. What if my property lines don't look right in our site plan creator?
Some areas show cleaner property lines than others. If your property lines don't look right, verify with your county GIS or the county register's office. You can also use the done‑for‑you option from SitePlans.us (non‑certified, permit‑ready only).
16. How long does a building permit take in Tennessee?
Plan review timelines vary by jurisdiction. Nashville takes 10‑30 days. Knoxville takes 1‑2 weeks. Under state law, local governments have 60 business days to review applications.
Local Links And Sources
| Source | URL | What It's Useful For |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State Building Code | `https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regulatory-boards/fire-prevention.html` | State building code, fire marshal requirements |
| Nashville Metro Codes & Building Safety | `https://www.nashville.gov/departments/codes` | Nashville permits, ePermits portal |
| Memphis CCE | `https://www.memphistn.gov/government/divisions/construction-code-enforcement/` | Memphis permits, site plan requirements |
| Knox County Codes Administration | `https://knoxcounty.org/codes/` | Knox County permits, site plan requirements |
| Chattanooga Building Department | `https://www.chattanooga.gov/building-and-permits` | Chattanooga permits |
| McMinnville Building Department | `https://www.mcminnvilletn.gov` | Plot plan requirements, two copies |
| Elizabethton Building Department | `https://elizabethton.org` | Hand‑drawn site plans accepted |
| Washington County Planning | `https://washingtoncountytn.org` | Site plan requirements, scale |
| Loudon County Planning | `https://planningandcodes.loudoncounty-tn.gov` | Sealed plan requirements |
| Jefferson City Building | `https://jeffcitytn.com` | Site plan requirements, surveys |
| FEMA Flood Maps | `https://msc.fema.gov` | Flood zone information |
| Your County GIS | Search `[county name] Tennessee GIS parcel viewer` | Property boundaries, parcel data |
| Your City Building Department | Search `[city name] Tennessee building department permits` | Local permit requirements |
Ready to Create Your Tennessee Site Plan?
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Important to know
Our online site plan maker helps create preliminary and permit‑style site plans for smaller residential projects where local rules allow homeowner or contractor‑prepared drawings. It is not a licensed land survey, engineering plan, architectural plan, or legal boundary document. Some Tennessee jurisdictions require a licensed surveyor, engineer, architect, or other professional. Always confirm requirements with the local building department before submitting.