Home Business in Sullivan County, TN (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Sullivan County, Tennessee.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Sullivan County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Sullivan County splits home businesses into two zoning tiers on Table 3-102A. A Minor Home Occupation is a Section 3-102.3 'Use Permitted with Supplemental Provisions,' needing only Building Commissioner sign-off, while a Major Home Occupation requires a Board of Zoning Appeals hearing under Section 3-102.4 and is barred outright in the county's higher-density residential districts.

Sullivan County Home Occupation Zoning Rules

Significant Restrictions

Sullivan County Zoning Resolution § 3-102.3; § 3-102.4; Table 3-102A

3-102.3 Use Permitted with Supplemental Provisions, (SUP) - A use permitted with supplemental provisions is an activity, use or structure which is permitted subject to a finding by the Building Commissioner that the specific standards indicated for the use in question have been met. Only those uses and structures so indicated in TABLE 3-102A, may be allowed within the districts indicated... TAB...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Daycare

Sullivan County's use table draws the line for home daycare at four children. Table 3-102A classifies 'In-Home Day Care' with fewer than four unrelated children as a Minor Home Occupation needing only Building Commissioner sign-off, while larger operations reclassify as a Family or Group Childcare Facility under the stricter Major Home Occupation tier.

Sullivan County Home Daycare Zoning Limit

Some Restrictions

Sullivan County Zoning Resolution, Table 3-102A (Uses and Structures Allowable Within Agricultural and Residential Districts); § 3-102.3

TABLE 3-102A: 'In-Home Day Care (Minor Home Occupation - less than 4 unrelated children) SUP SUP SUP SUP SUP SUP' ... 'Family Childcare Facility (Major Home Occ./Accessory Use) SUP SUP X SUP SUP X' ... 'Group Childcare Facility (Major Home Occ./Accessory Use) SUP SUP X X X X'

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Sullivan County ordinances

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