Tellico Lake
TVA Section 26a dock permits, flowage easements, county jurisdiction, septic and flood checks
Loudon County · Planned community on Tellico Lake
Tellico Village, Tennessee
A planned community on Tellico Lake where a property owners association handles covenants, review and amenities, and two counties and the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency each play a part
Tellico Village is a planned community on Tellico Lake in Loudon County, Tennessee; the community site places its Kahite neighborhood in Monroe County. A resident-run property owners association (TVPOA) operates its amenities, requires Architectural Control Office permits for new homes and exterior projects, and has a Water/Sewer Department. The counties assess property for tax.
In short: Tellico Village is a planned community on Tellico Lake in Loudon County, Tennessee, run by a property owners association, with its Kahite neighborhood in Monroe County.
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Overview
Tellico Village at a glance
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Eight neighborhoods in two adjacent counties. Seven are in Loudon County (ZIP 37774) and the eighth, Kahite, is in Monroe County (ZIP 37885), according to the community site | Note 2 |
| Legal status | Wikipedia (secondary source) calls it an unincorporated planned community and census-designated place. None of the official pages opened describes a city or town government for it | Note 25 |
| Developer and start | The community timeline says Cooper Communities Inc. proposed the development in September 1984 and acquired the site from the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency in December 1985. Development began in January 1986 | Note 1 |
| Size | The community site says Tellico Village sits on 4,800 acres along the shore of Tellico Lake | Note 3 |
| Tellico Lake | The community site calls it a Tennessee Valley Authority man-made lake on the bed of the Little Tennessee River, 33 miles long with 357 miles of shoreline | Note 5 |
| Association | The Tellico Village Property Owners Association (TVPOA). The timeline says the Property Owners Association was formed in December 1985. A seven-person volunteer Board of Directors sets policy and hires the Chief Executive Officer | Notes 1, 2, 9 |
| Architectural review | The TVPOA site says permits from the Architectural Control Office are required for new homes and all exterior building projects | Note 9 |
| Monthly assessment | The community site says assessments are the same for all residents and are “currently less than $190 per month.” The figure is undated on that page and may be out of date, so confirm the current amount with the TVPOA | Note 6 |
| Water and sewer | The TVPOA site says water or sewer issues are managed by its Water/Sewer Department, part of Public Works. This guide does not establish the current provider, billing or regulatory status of service for any lot, so ask the TVPOA for current water and sewer status | Note 9 |
| Golf courses | Named on the community site as The Links at Kahite Golf Club, Tanasi Golf Club and Toqua Golf Club, which the site describes as private. Playing fees apply | Notes 4, 6 |
| Roads | The community site says Tellico Village is not gated and its neighborhood roads are private | Note 3 |
The community site gives different resident counts on different pages, so no population figure is shown here. Census place figures could not be retrieved for this guide.
Setting
How is Tellico Village laid out?
A 4,800-acre planned community on Tellico Lake, split between two counties, with private roads and its own association-run amenities (Notes 2, 3, 5).
- The community site places Tellico Village on Tellico Lake between Loudon, Lenoir City and Vonore, Tennessee (Note 3).
- It has eight neighborhoods. Seven are in Loudon County. Kahite is in Monroe County, according to the community site, about 15 minutes from the southern border of the Loudon County section, and uses the Vonore ZIP code 37885 (Note 2).
- The community site says it is not gated and its neighborhood roads are private. Kahite was designed to be gated, but the site says “they have chosen not to gate it at this time” (Note 3).
- The TVPOA’s Public Works Department handles streets, drainage, common property and snow removal (Note 9).
- The community site says the Village includes twelve town and villa home communities, each with its own association (Note 8).
- The timeline lists a Yacht and Country Club (opened October 1988), Chota Recreation Center, Village Square, a Wellness Center, a Kayak Launch and Storage Facility and the East Lakeshore Trail system. The community site says boat slips are leased annually (Notes 1, 6).
- Three golf courses are named on the community site: The Links at Kahite Golf Club, Tanasi Golf Club and Toqua Golf Club (Note 4). For the lake itself, including TVA shoreline rules, see the Tellico Lake guide.
Local rules
Who sets the rules in Tellico Village?
Several bodies each cover a different piece: the TVPOA for covenants, review and amenities; the counties for property tax and zoning; and, for building permits, a regional agency whose coverage you should confirm for each lot.
- The TVPOA. The community site describes a community run by its residents, guided by a seven-person volunteer Board of Directors (Note 2). The board sets policy and strategy, hires the CEO and establishes the annual budget (Note 9).
- Covenants and assessments. The recorded Declaration and any amendments govern membership and assessments, so read them rather than relying on this summary. The community site says the monthly assessment covers access to community centers, over 30 miles of hiking trails and use of the family beach, and that playing fees apply for the golf courses (Note 6). The community site says there are no initiation fees and no monthly spending minimums (Note 6).
- Architectural review. Permits from the Architectural Control Office are required for new homes and all exterior building projects (Note 9). The builders’ page refers to the “Bluebook” used by the Architectural Control Committee (Note 7).
- Water and sewer. The TVPOA site says water or sewer issues are managed by its Water/Sewer Department, which is part of Public Works (Note 9). The sources opened for this guide do not establish the current provider, billing or regulatory status of water and sewer service for any lot, so ask the TVPOA for it in writing before you buy.
- Tellico Reservoir Development Agency (TRDA). Tennessee law creates the agency as a public body to develop lands within TVA’s Tellico Reservoir project area, including portions of Monroe, Loudon and Blount counties (Note 11). Its board has nine members, including the county mayors of Blount, Loudon and Monroe counties (Note 12). Its site says it provides permitting and building inspections for seven residential developments around Tellico Reservoir and lists “Tellico Village – Kahite” among them (Note 10).
- Loudon County. The Loudon County Planning Commission represents unincorporated areas of Loudon County and Greenback, and the county’s Zoning Resolution of July 21, 1971 applies to the parts of the county outside municipal corporations (Notes 13 and 16). The county pages opened do not mention Tellico Village or the TRDA, so ask the Planning Office which zoning and permitting rules apply to a given lot.
- Building codes differ by source. The TRDA page says it follows the 2024 adopted building codes, including the 2024 International Residential Code (Note 10). The Loudon County Building Codes page says the county has adopted the 2012 editions of the International Building Code and others (Note 14); its footer is dated 2013. The county page may not be current, so confirm which edition applies to a permit.
- Property tax. The Loudon County Property Assessor values property for tax, the Trustee collects the tax, and the County Commission sets the rate. Bills are mailed in September and become delinquent after the last day of February (Notes 17 and 18). Monroe County has its own Property Assessor, and its Commission sets the rate each year (Note 19).
Rules, fees and regulatory status change. Confirm each item with the TVPOA, the county office and the agency named.
Due diligence
What should you check before buying in Tellico Village?
| Check | Why it matters here | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Which county the parcel is in | Seven neighborhoods are in Loudon County and Kahite is in Monroe County. That decides the assessor, the tax collector and the county office to ask about zoning. Use each county’s assessor records to confirm the parcel | Notes 2, 17, 19 |
| Recorded covenants and TVPOA documents | Ask for the current recorded Declaration, amendments and any rules, and confirm where they were recorded. The Homes for Sale page links to a TVPOA member site but does not say what documents it holds. A TVPOA resale or disclosure package was not found on the pages opened, so ask the TVPOA and the closing attorney what is available | Note 8 |
| Assessment and other fees | The community site gives “less than $190 per month” without a date (it may be out of date) and lists separate playing fees and annual boat slip leases. Confirm current assessments, any special assessments and what the closing statement will show | Note 6 |
| Sub-associations | The community site says the town and villa home communities each have their own association. Ask whether a property has one in addition to the TVPOA | Note 8 |
| Architectural approvals for past work | The Architectural Control Office requires permits for new homes and exterior projects. Ask for approvals covering any addition, deck, dock-related work or exterior change, and ask about the “Bluebook” standards | Notes 7, 9 |
| Building permits and inspections | The TRDA lists permitting and inspections for “Tellico Village – Kahite”, while the Loudon County residential permit page does not mention Tellico Village. Ask the TRDA and the county Planning and Codes office which one issued each permit on the property and which handles the next one | Notes 10, 14, 15 |
| Water and sewer service | Ask the TVPOA for the current water and sewer status in writing: whether the lot is connected, which entity provides and bills for each service, the current rate structure and whether anything about how the service is governed or regulated has changed recently | Note 9 |
| Septic | The county’s residential permit page asks for a septic permit and driveway permit “if applicable.” The sources opened do not say whether every lot connects to the collection system, so confirm lot by lot and ask for any septic permit if the lot is not on sewer | Notes 15, 9 |
| Zoning | Zoning in unincorporated Loudon County comes from the county’s Zoning Resolution. Ask the Planning Office for the zoning district on the parcel and any conditions, because the pages opened do not state it for Tellico Village | Notes 13, 16 |
| FEMA flood zone | FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center lets you look up an address and find the official flood map. Flood zone depends on the parcel and lakefront lots deserve a specific look, so check the map and ask for any elevation certificate | Note 21 |
| Docks and shoreline | TVA says that for the most part all construction or alterations to the shoreline on TVA reservoirs require TVA approval, even minor changes to a dock, and that not all waterfront property is eligible for a dock. See the Tellico Lake guide | Notes 20, 5 |
| Private roads | The community site says neighborhood roads are private. Ask who maintains the road serving the property, and confirm with the TVPOA what its Public Works Department covers | Notes 3, 9 |
| Property tax | Confirm the parcel on the county assessor’s site, the tax rate and the bill on the Trustee’s site (Loudon) or the Monroe County offices | Notes 17, 18, 19 |
This is a checklist, not advice. Confirm each item with the TVPOA, the county offices, the TRDA and your attorney.
Comparison
How does Tellico Village compare with nearby places?
| Place | Setting | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Vonore, Tennessee | Town on the community site’s list of nearby places | Vonore’s municipal code gives it a seven-member planning commission and a zoning ordinance. Tellico Village has an association for covenants and review, and the county and, for Kahite, the TRDA play roles. Kahite uses the Vonore ZIP code but is described as part of Tellico Village (Notes 2, 3, 22) |
| Lenoir City | City on the community site’s list of nearby places | Lenoir City has a Codes Enforcement and Planning department that handles building permits, the planning commission and a zoning ordinance, and a building inspectors office (Notes 3, 23, 24) |
| Loudon | City on the community site’s list of nearby places | The county page says a separate Loudon City Planning Commission represents the City of Loudon and Philadelphia, while the Loudon County Planning Commission represents unincorporated areas and Greenback (Notes 3, 13) |
| Tellico Lake | The TVA reservoir the community sits on | The lake is a TVA reservoir with its own shoreline approvals, while the community adds association rules on land. See the lake guide for TVA permits and shoreline checks (Notes 5, 20) |
Working with ABODE
How does ABODE help in Tellico Village?
ABODE International Realty’s Knoxville office is at 810 Clinch Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902, by appointment. This guide is written for buyers and sellers of higher-value property. We help you sort out which body governs a parcel: the TVPOA, the county, the TRDA and TVA. We also help you collect the recorded covenants, utility and permit records, and keep conversations private. We represent both buyers and sellers.
Keep reading
Which related guides should you read next?
Vonore
A Monroe County town: town zoning versus county, septic and sewer, Tellico Lake and flood checks
Knoxville
City versus county rules, floodplain and TVA checks, and the property tax authorities
Farragut
A Knox County town: town government, county tax, flood checks and TVA lake rules
Lenoir City
City zoning and permits, LCUB utilities, county property tax, flood and TVA lake checks.
Fort Loudoun Lake
TVA reservoir guide: Section 26a dock permits, flowage easements, county rules, septic and flood checks.
Questions
Tellico Village real estate: frequently asked questions
Is Tellico Village a town?
The official pages opened do not describe a city or town government for Tellico Village. Wikipedia calls it an unincorporated planned community (Note 25). A property owners association runs the amenities and review process (Notes 2 and 9).
What does the Tellico Village Property Owners Association do?
The TVPOA is guided by a seven-person volunteer Board of Directors that hires the CEO and sets the annual budget (Notes 2 and 9). Its Architectural Control Office issues permits for new homes and exterior projects (Note 9), and it runs Public Works and a Water/Sewer Department (Note 9). The community site describes monthly assessments as currently less than $190, without a date (Note 6).
Does Tellico Village have public sewer and water?
The TVPOA site says water or sewer issues are managed by its Water/Sewer Department (Note 9). The sources opened for this guide do not show the current provider, billing or regulatory status of service for any lot. Ask the TVPOA for the current water and sewer status, whether a specific lot is connected, who bills for service and how rates are set.
Who issues building permits in Tellico Village?
It depends on the property, and the sources are not clear. The TRDA says it provides permitting and inspections for seven developments, including “Tellico Village – Kahite” (Note 10). Loudon County’s Planning and Codes office issues residential permits in the county but its pages do not mention Tellico Village (Notes 14 and 15). The TVPOA’s Architectural Control Office also requires its own permit (Note 9). Confirm all three for a given lot.
Who sets property tax in Tellico Village?
The county where the parcel sits. In Loudon County the Property Assessor values property, the Trustee collects tax and the County Commission sets the rate (Notes 17 and 18). Kahite parcels are in Monroe County, whose Property Assessor does not set the rate, which the County Commission sets each year (Note 19). TVPOA assessments are separate from property tax (Note 6).
Is Tellico Village in a flood zone?
It depends on the parcel. FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center is the official public source and lets you search by address (Note 21). Lakefront lots deserve a specific check, and you can ask for any elevation certificate.
Who permits a dock at Tellico Village?
TVA says that for the most part all construction or alterations to the shoreline on TVA reservoirs require TVA approval, even minor changes to a dock, and that not all waterfront property is eligible for a dock (Note 20). The TVPOA site says boat slips are leased annually (Note 6). See the Tellico Lake guide for the permit process.
Private consultation
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Sources and notes
- Tellico Village (official community site): history timeline. Source for the community timeline: Cooper Communities, the site acquisition, the Property Owners Association formation date and the opening dates of amenities. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village: About Us. Source for the eight neighborhoods in Loudon and Monroe counties, the seven-person volunteer Board and the ZIP codes. The resident count on this page differs from the home page, so none is shown. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village: FAQs. Source for the location between Loudon, Lenoir City and Vonore, Tennessee, the 4,800-acre figure, and the statement that the community is not gated and its roads are private. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village: Golf. Source for the three golf course names and the description of them as private. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village: Tellico Lake. Source for the lake’s length, shoreline, depth and TVA origin. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village: Cost of Living. Source for the “less than $190 per month” assessment statement, which is undated on the page, and for playing fees and annual boat slip leases. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village: Home Builders. Source for the Architectural Control Committee’s Bluebook and builders’ familiarity with Loudon and Monroe County codes. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village: Homes for Sale. Source for the twelve town and villa home communities, each with its own association. The page links to a TVPOA member site but does not say what it holds. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village: employment and governance page. Source for the TVPOA’s name, Board role, annual budget, Architectural Control Office permits, Public Works and Water/Sewer Department. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Reservoir Development Agency: Residential Building Codes & Permitting. Lists seven residential developments, including Tellico Village – Kahite, and the 2024 codes the agency says it follows. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tennessee Code Annotated, title 64, chapter 1, part 7 (Tellico Reservoir Development Agency), § 64-1-701. Creation and purposes of the agency. Justia’s 2025 text may not be the most current, so verify against the official code. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Reservoir Development Agency: Board of Directors. Nine members, including the Blount, Loudon and Monroe county mayors. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Loudon County Planning and Codes: Planning, Zoning & Development. Source for the two planning commissions. The page does not mention Tellico Village. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Loudon County Planning and Codes: Building Codes. States the 2012 code editions the county says it has adopted. The page footer reads 2013, so it may be out of date. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Loudon County Planning and Codes: residential permit information. Source for the in-person application and the septic and driveway permit items. It does not mention Tellico Village or the TRDA. Checked October 9, 2026.
- The Zoning Resolution of Loudon County, Tennessee, Article I. Applies to the portions of the county outside municipal corporations. It does not mention Tellico Village. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Loudon County Property Assessor. The assessor’s role and contact details. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Loudon County Trustee. Collection of property tax, mailing and delinquency dates. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Monroe County Property Assessor. Mission statement and the note that the County Commission sets the rate. Checked October 9, 2026.
- TVA: Shoreline Construction FAQ. Section 26a approval for shoreline construction on TVA reservoirs (“for the most part” all construction or alterations) and dock eligibility. Checked October 9, 2026.
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Look up the flood map for any address. Flood zone is parcel specific. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Town of Vonore municipal code, title 14 (Municipal Technical Advisory Service). Source for Vonore’s planning commission and zoning ordinance. Checked October 9, 2026.
- City of Lenoir City: Codes Enforcement & Planning. Source for the department’s planning commission and zoning ordinance link. Checked October 9, 2026.
- City of Lenoir City: Building Inspection & Permits. Source for the building inspectors office and permit portal. Checked October 9, 2026.
- Tellico Village, Tennessee (Wikipedia). Secondary source, used only for the description as an unincorporated planned community and census-designated place. Checked October 9, 2026.
- ABODE local knowledge. The office address and the description of ABODE’s role come from ABODE. They are not statistics.