Subdivisions are getting harder
For the longest time, only a few factors controlled the division of land. You had to ensure all the lots touched a “county-approved” road (public or private), you needed to ensure every lot had a means of disposing of sewerage (septic, onsite sewer, municipal sewer), and you had to meet the density/minimum lot size for the area (sub-regs, zoning, septic).
These are still there; however, many other restrictions have been implemented. Some areas require you to take into account the slope of the lots. If the lot(s) is over a specific grade, your minimum lot size and your building setbacks increase. This can be significant. In the case of Sevier County, if your lot is in the “critical slope,” (exceeds 30% grade) you may have a minimum lot size of 2-3 acres with a building separation of 200 feet (100-foot side setbacks).
The latest impedance to development is that many municipalities (counties/cities) in East Tennessee have restricted subdivisions to public roads (or maybe private roads within specific “standards”). This is a significant deviation. There are a lot of tracts of land out there served by private roads, and the only way you can even cut off a 1-acre lot for your sickly mother is to pray the county will accept the road as is. If not, you may be forced to upgrade the road to meet county standards. These same standards they don’t necessarily meet on their OWN roads. Also, when I say “subdivision,” I am not talking about a 10+ lot split. It could be as simple as cutting 2 acres off your 50-acre farm.
So. If you are even remotely considering dividing your land, I recommend you do it as soon as possible. The restrictions are not going to get any more lax. I also suggest that you speak to your local planner first before you pay to have a surveyor, soil scientist, or any other professional start any work where you plan to divide. You may not be able to do what you want and would only be wasting money.
I LIVE IN GILES COUNTY, TN AND MY WATER IS SPRING WATER THAT IS OWNED BY ANOTHER OWNER. THE SPRING RUNS ONTO MY AUNTS PROPERTY THEN RUNS DOWN UNDERGROUND OWN MY PROPERTY AND FILLS MY WATER TANK THEN RUNS BACK ONTO HER PROPERTY AND FEEDS HER HOUSE AND ANOTHER AUNTS HOUSE. CAN THE ONE AUNT TURN OFF THE WATER THAT FEEDS THE OTHER AUNTS HOUSE. THE SPRING IS ON ANOTHER PERSON PROPERTY THAT GOT PERMISSION YEARS AND YEARS AGO. THE ONE AUNT IS TRYING TO STOP THE WATER TO THE OTHER AUNTS HOUSE COMPLETELY. CAN SHE LEGALLY DO THIS
This is a “legal” question. A lot will hinge on what is “permission.” If it is in writing, you will likely have a stronger case. I suggest you contact a lawyer.