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Knoxville, TN Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

CO detector placement
Within 15 feet of bedrooms
Smoke alarm standard
UL 217, each sleeping room
Also required
Fire extinguisher on premises
Applies to
Short-term rental units only

Summary

Knoxville requires every short-term rental to have a working carbon monoxide detector within 15 feet of all bedrooms before the city will issue an operating permit.

During each short term rental unit occupancy, each short term rental unit shall have the following life safety equipment on the premises and installed to manufacturer specifications: a. A smoke alarm meeting Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 217 standards inside each sleeping room, outside of and within fifteen (15) feet of sleeping rooms, and on each story of the dwelling unit, including basements; b. A carbon monoxide detector within fifteen (15) feet of all bedrooms; and c. A fire extinguisher.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

Knoxville City Code § 16-612(2) makes a life-safety affidavit part of every short-term rental permit application: the unit must have a carbon monoxide detector within fifteen feet of all bedrooms, a UL 217 smoke alarm inside and outside each sleeping room and on every story, and a fire extinguisher, all installed to manufacturer specifications and verified as functional. This carbon monoxide requirement is specific to Knoxville's short-term rental ordinance, the code text does not extend it to owner-occupied homes or long-term rentals citywide, so it governs STR units only, not general Knoxville housing.

Violations & Fines

Operating a short-term rental without a working smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, or fire extinguisher as required by the affidavit is itself unlawful under § 16-612.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Knoxville require carbon monoxide detectors in Airbnbs?
Yes: city code requires one within 15 feet of every bedroom in a short-term rental, verified by affidavit before a permit issues.
Does this CO detector rule apply to all Knoxville homes?
No: the code text ties it specifically to short-term rental permitting, not to owner-occupied or long-term-rental housing generally.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Knoxville

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsPlumbing PermitsSome RestrictionsGreen Building CodeLight RestrictionsChildcare Center RulesSome RestrictionsElectrical PermitsSome RestrictionsBuilding InspectionsSome RestrictionsFire Sprinkler RequirementsFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Knoxville rules

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