Clinton

1. Pre-application zoning verification (~3d)
   Confirm parcel zoning district under Clinton Zoning Code Ordinance #680 (Title 14) and verify the ADU type (attached or detached) is permitted in that district per Table 14-2. Codes Enforcement at 100 N. Bowling St. fields informal inquiries.
2. Submit Building Permit Application to Codes Enforcement (~1d)
   File the City of Clinton Building Permit Application (PDF) at 100 N. Bowling St. or via the codes@clintontn.net intake. Include site plan showing ADU footprint, setbacks from all property lines, and distance from primary structure.
3. Zoning compliance review (~7d)
   Codes Enforcement verifies ADU setback compliance with Title 14 dimensional standards (refined under the 2025 setback amendment). Detached ADUs must meet rear/side setbacks separate from primary structure.
4. Building plan review (IRC 2018) (~14d)
   Plan check against Tennessee Statewide Building Code (IRC 2018) as adopted by Clinton, including Tennessee state amendments removing the residential sprinkler mandate. Energy code: IECC 2018 Climate Zone 4A envelope.
5. Utility coordination - Clinton Utilities Board (CUB) (~14d)
   Coordinate water, sewer, and electric service from Clinton Utilities Board. ADU may share existing meter or require separate service depending on lot configuration. Gas service through CUB or local provider per service area.
6. Permit issuance and fees (~3d)
   Codes Enforcement issues building permit upon plan-review clearance and fee payment. Anderson County records any subsequent deed/plat actions for parcel changes.
7. Construction inspections
   Footing, framing, mechanical/plumbing/electrical rough-in, insulation, and building final inspections by Codes Enforcement. Schedule via 865-259-1180 or codes@clintontn.net.
8. Certificate of occupancy (~3d)
   Final inspection sign-off triggers CO. ADU eligible for occupancy.

• Long-term rental: yes Long-term rental of ADU generally permitted; landlord-tenant law and any city rental-registration ordinance apply.
• Short-term rental: with-restrictions STR rules vary by city. Clinton regulates STRs separately from ADU permitting; check local STR ordinance and HOA covenants.
• Office rental: with-restrictions Detached office rental requires home occupation permit or rezoning.
• Home office: yes Home occupation permitted with restrictions on signage and customer traffic.
• Studio / workshop: yes Personal artist studio is a permitted accessory use.
• Agriculture: with-restrictions Limited urban agriculture permitted in residential zones; livestock varies by district.
• Relative support: yes Family-occupancy ADU explicitly permitted in single-family zones.

Staff: Clinton City Hall (general) (City Hall switchboard), Anderson County Building Inspection (county-jurisdiction work outside city limits) (County Building Inspection Office, Room 127, 100 N. Main St.)

• Water: Clinton Water Utility · 30d connect · $4,500
• Sewer: Clinton Sewer / Wastewater · 30d connect · $5,500
• Electric: Clinton Electric Utility · 21d connect · $1,800
• Gas: Clinton Gas Utility · 30d connect · $1,500

Realistic total: best 7mo · typical 10mo · worst 16mo

Tennessee has no statewide statute that voids HOA bans on ADUs. Common-interest communities in Tennessee are governed primarily by the Tennessee Condominium Act of 2008 (T.C.A. §§66-27-201 to 66-27-603) for condominiums, by Tennessee's Horizontal Property Act (T.C.A. §66-27-101 et seq.) for older horizontal-property regimes, and by general nonprofit corporation law for HOA-style planned communities. Restrictive covenants in declarations and bylaws — including those prohibiting accessory structures or secondary kitchens — remain enforceable per their terms.