Ground Water Water Quality Department Short Term Vacation Rentals Subdivision Review/Inspection

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide prompt, seamless service and planning expertise to the development community and citizens of Hamilton County while protecting quality of life and the environment.

FUNCTION

Development Services provides the public facing function for all new development in Hamilton County. The department facilitates coordination among other departments in Hamilton County Government, elected officials, the Regional Planning Agency, other jurisdictions, State Government, Federal Government, and the general public. Coordination efforts include grant applications, future planning, zoning, platting, subdivision requests, and dissemination of vision from the Mayor’s office and the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners. The department follows all applicable laws and regulations in maintaining environmental and infrastructure standards for the wellbeing of Hamilton County. Groundwater Protection complies with all TDEC standards to ensure environmentally sound disposal of septic waste where necessary and issues permits for new systems or changes to existing systems. The Road Inspection team inspects new roads for acceptance into the County owned road network. New roads are evaluated in accordance with Hamilton County road standards to ensure longevity and quality.

Development Services Staff

Nathan Janeway
Director Development Services
[email protected]

Autumn Friday, P.E.
Deputy Director Development Services
[email protected]
423-834-6841

Brenda Wallin
Office Supervisor
[email protected]

Robin Potter
Senior Account Clerk
[email protected]

Frequently asked Questions:

Question: Where do I apply for a Building Permit?
Answer: Building Permit (Online Application)

Question: Where do I apply for a Short Term Vacation Rental Permit?
Answer: Short Term Vacation Rentals (Online Application)

Question: Where do I apply for a Land Disturbance Permit?
Answer: Land Disturbance (Online Application)

Question: For design guidelines and submittal requirements:
Answer: Design Guidelines and Submittal Requirements

Question: Where do I apply for a septic permit?
Answer: Septic Permit

Question: Where do I submit for Preliminary Plat Approval?
Answer: https://chcrpa.org/

Question: Where can I find existing permits (STVR, Land Disturbing, ROW permits, Illicit Discharges)?
Answer: https://hamiltontn.portal.opengov.com/search

Question: How to apply for a Water Quality/Sidewalk Inspection?
Answer: https://hamiltontn.portal.opengov.com/

Groundwater

Apply Here

Note: All Groundwater permits will need to be submitted on-line starting March 11, 2024.

Location:

1250 Market Street, Suite 3046 Chattanooga, TN 37402 423-209-7876
[email protected]
Hours: 8 - 4:00 PM (Note: Please arrive by 3:30 PM if you are applying in person for permit or taking an installer test.)

Staff:

Bobby Stott
Manager
[email protected]

Amy Young
Senior Inspector
[email protected]

Nolan Long
Inspector
[email protected]

Robin Potter
Senior Account Clerk
[email protected]

Lada Thomas
Account Clerk
[email protected]

GROUNDWATER FEES

Groundwater Fee Change Resolution 423-28

New Permit $440.00
Modification $440.00
Repair Permit $40.00
Existing Permit $205.00
STVR Inspection $205.00
Lot Review $150/lot + $5.00 Application Fee
Inspection Letter $105.00
Water Testing $105.00
Recertification Letter $180.00
Re-inspection (Starting for a 3rd Visit) $150.00

LICENSE FEES

Category 1 (Standard) Installer License $200.00
Additional License (Alternative, Experimental) $100.00 for each additional

INSTALLER LICENSE GENERAL INFORMATION

Installers are required to have a County Septic Installer License.
If installers have a State Installer Permit, installers are required to fill out an application an pay the fee but are not required to take the test.
If installers do not have a State Installer Permit, installers are required to take and pass the Hamilton County Septic Installer License.
Hamilton County Installer Permit is good for 1 year.

THIRD-PARTY PERMITS & FINAL INSPECTIONS (for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS))

Beginning October 1, 2024:

Permit to Construct a Subsurface Sewage Disposal System:

Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-221-403(m)(2):
A person may engage a third-party water resources engineer to prepare a permit package to install a subsurface sewage disposal system pursuant to subdivision (a)(6) in lieu of the department or the contract county. The person, or the person’s designee, may submit the permit package to the department or, as applicable, to the contract county, in a form required by the department or the contract county.

Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-221-403(m)(12):
A soil scientist certified by the department may submit an application for a permit for a subsurface sewage disposal system with a capacity of less than seven hundred fifty (750) gallons per day that includes the completed application, application fee, proposed design, an appropriate intensity soils map signed by a soil scientist certified by the department, and a completed but unsigned permit for construction of the subsurface disposal system.

Certificate of Completion (Final Inspection):

Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-221-403(m)(3):
A person may engage a third-party water resources engineer to conduct the final inspection of a subsurface sewage disposal system pursuant to subdivision (a)(4) in lieu of the department or the contract county. The person, or the person’s designee, shall submit the following to the department or the contract county in a form required by the department or the contract county no more than five (5) business days after the date of inspection:

GROUNDWATER COMPLAINTS

Groundwater Complaints (Online Form)

CONSULTANTS

List of Licensed Septic Installer and Pumpers (PDF Format)
List of Soil Consultants

IF YOU NEED THIS: APPLY FOR THIS:

New conventional septic system for commercial, house, shop, barn, etc. New Septic Permit
Modify an existing system to add bedrooms, or add fieldlines Modification
Repair an existing system Repair
Preliminary Plat Approval for septic Lot Review
New alternative septic system (LPP, Mound, etc.) New Septic Permit
Addition of pool or ban (no plumbing) Existing Permit
Have water tested for bacteria (total or fecal coliform) Water Sample

DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL SITE

Hamilton County Permit Applications and Document Retrieval
Note: If the address you are searching for is not listed, please email Ground Water for further assistance at [email protected]
**** Existing permits (Septic and Building) and existing septic information

TANK INFORMATION SHEETS

Tank Buoyancy Control Guidance
Approved Fiberglass & Polyethylene Septic Tanks in Tennessee
Rotoplas Installation Guide
Update of Approved Chamber Systems

GROUNDWATER/SUBDIVISION RULES AND REGULATIONS

Groundwater Regulations (PDF Format)
Resolution 724-11

SHORT TERM VACATION RENTAL (STVR)

Resolution for Short Term Vacation Rental

STVR Resolution 7-10-24

*The total fee for new applications will be $750. This includes both the application and first annual permit fee.

Fees:

$250.00 Initial application fee if pre-existing with RPA
$500.00 Initial application fee if new
$250.00 Annual renewal fee
$250.00 Re-inspection fee – Building
$205 for Septic Inspection (one-time fee)

Apply for STVR permit

Permits are good for one year

Permit must be hung in home

Permittee must have business license

Proof of ownership is required

This is not a zoning issue. STVR’s are allowed in all zones except M zones. A letter is issued to the property owner stating they cannot operate an STVR without the certificate. If the owner doesn’t comply with 30 days, this information is turned over to the County Attorney’s office.

Contact Development Services with any questions 423-209-7970.

Short Term Vacation Rental Checklist (PDF)

SHORT TERM VACATION RENTALS COMPLAINTS
Short Term Vacation Rentals Complaints (Online Form)

SUBDIVISION REVIEW/INSPECTION

Staff:

Tyler Mowery
Supervisor
[email protected]
423-290-1937

Tom Cassell
Project Inspector
[email protected]
423-710-6889

Kenneth Scott
Project Inspector
[email protected]
423-209-5077

Permits:

Starting July 1, 2025 a Development Services inspection fee will be charged for all Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Inspections. See memo and resolution: July 1st Memo

Subdivision Review/Land Disturbance Permit Application Certificate of Occupancy Permit Utility Application / Road Cut Permit (Online Form) Temporary Road Closure License to Work in the County Row

STANDARDS/CHECKLISTS

STANDARD DETAIL/DRAWINGS

Address & Contact Information

Map to Development Services

Address: 1250 Market Street, Suite 3046, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Except for these holidays

Phone number: 423-209-7970