Do I Need a Permit for a Pole Barn in Tennessee?
This is one of the most frequent questions we get from Lawrence County and Giles County property owners. The short answer: it depends on your jurisdiction, the size of the building, and its intended use. Here's the detailed breakdown.
Tennessee state law and agricultural exemptions
Tennessee state law provides an exemption from building permits for certain agricultural structures on farm properties. Under Tennessee Code Annotated, farm buildings used exclusively for agriculture — storing hay, housing livestock, storing farm equipment — may not require a state building permit. However, this exemption is not absolute: counties and municipalities can and often do have their own permit requirements that apply regardless of the state exemption.
Lawrence County permit requirements
Lawrence County requires building permits for most structures over 200 square feet in unincorporated areas. Agricultural exemptions may apply to structures used purely for farming, but the county building department needs to confirm this on a case-by-case basis. The key factors: the property's agricultural classification, the stated use of the structure, and whether the structure will have electrical service (wired structures almost always require permits regardless of use classification).
For structures within the City of Lawrenceburg, permits are required for any structure over 144 square feet, and the agricultural exemption does not apply inside city limits.
Giles County permit requirements
Giles County also requires permits for most structures in unincorporated areas above minimum size thresholds. Agricultural exemptions exist but require confirmation with the county. Within the City of Pulaski, all structures require permits.
Why you should pull the permit even when it seems optional
We strongly recommend pulling a permit whenever it's required or even borderline. Unpermitted structures create real problems:
- Insurance claims: If an unpermitted structure burns down, floods, or collapses, your insurer may deny the claim or reduce the payout because the structure wasn't inspected
- Resale issues: Buyers and their lenders increasingly require proof of permits for outbuildings. Unpermitted structures can derail real estate transactions or require expensive remediation to bring into compliance
- Retroactive permits: Getting a permit after the fact is significantly more expensive and complicated than getting one before construction begins
- Safety: Inspections exist to catch structural problems before they become catastrophic failures
What the permit process looks like in practice
For a typical pole barn in Lawrence County, the permit application requires: a site plan showing the building location and setbacks, basic structural information (post size, truss spacing, roof pitch, wind load rating), and the intended use. Review time is typically 1–3 weeks for residential and agricultural structures. Inspections include a footing inspection (before backfilling post holes) and a final inspection. We manage this entire process for every permitted project we build.
Have questions about permits for your pole barn project in Lawrence or Giles County?
Contact UsCall us at (931) 369-2134 or contact us online. We handle permits for all projects in our service area and can advise on your specific situation.