Center Hill Lake country with affordable Middle Tennessee acreage
DeKalb County sits in the scenic hills of Middle Tennessee near Center Hill Lake, offering beautiful building sites with rolling terrain. The county's growing popularity hasn't yet driven prices to unaffordable levels.
| Zone | Min Lot | Barndo OK? |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural | 1 acre | ✅ Yes |
| Rural Residential | 0.75 acre | ✅ Yes |
| Residential (Smithville) | 0.5 acre | ⚠️ Conditional |
DeKalb County has limited zoning outside Smithville, with rural areas generally permissive toward metal building and barndominium construction.
Tennessee allows owner-builders to act as their own general contractor for personal residences. Licensed subs needed for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
DeKalb County Building Office 732 S Congress Blvd, Smithville, TN 37166 Phone: (615) 597-5177 Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
While Center Hill Lake and the Caney Fork River create some flood zones, most of DeKalb County's rolling terrain sits well above flood-prone areas. Site selection on ridges and hillsides avoids flood concerns.
Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer, USDA Web Soil Survey
Building costs in DeKalb County are moderate for Middle Tennessee, with a good selection of local contractors familiar with metal building construction.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, DeKalb County Assessor
DeKalb County blends lakeside recreation with small-town Middle Tennessee life. Smithville hosts the famous Fiddlers' Jamboree, and Center Hill Lake draws boaters and anglers year-round.
One of Tennessee's clearest lakes offers world-class boating, fishing, and lakeside recreation minutes from your door.
Smithville's annual Fiddlers' Jamboree is one of the nation's premier old-time music festivals.
Scenic Middle Tennessee hills provide beautiful views and a peaceful rural lifestyle.
DeKalb County has reliable rural utilities with electric cooperative service and expanding broadband availability.
USDA Rural Development loans are available throughout most of DeKalb County, making zero-down barndominium financing a strong option.
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