Kingsport, TN Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- International Building Code, 2018 edition, by reference
- Elevator amendment
- Section 3001.1.1 Permitting and inspections
- Inspection standard
- State of Tennessee regulations for regulated elevators
- Conflict rule
- State law prevails over the city building code
- Enforcing official
- Kingsport building official
- General penalty
- $10.00 to $50.00 under Section 1-14
Summary
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, elevators are covered by one amendment to the 2018 International Building Code in Section 22-96. New Section 3001.1.1 says any elevator regulated by the State of Tennessee must be inspected and comply with all applicable State regulations, and State law prevails over any conflicting city building code provision.
(a)Building Code. The provisions of the International Building Code, 2018 edition, including appendices B, C, J, and K, published by the International Code Council, are hereby adopted by reference as though copied verbatim in this subsection. ... The International Building Code, 2018 edition is hereby amended as follows: ... Section ... 3001 is amended by adding a new section to read "3001.1.1 Permitting and inspections. Any elevator regulated by the State of Tennessee must be inspected and comply with all applicable State regulations. Any conflict between this code and State Law, State Law shall prevail."
Full Breakdown
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted the International Building Code, 2018 edition, including appendices B, C, J, and K, by reference in Section 22-96(a) of the Kingsport Code, then amended it in several places. The elevator amendment attaches to Section 3001 of the model code, which gains a new subsection titled 3001.1.1 Permitting and inspections. It does two things. First, it ties every elevator regulated by the State of Tennessee to State inspection and State regulations. Second, it settles conflicts in favor of State law, so a city reading of the building code cannot displace a State elevator rule.
The text printed in Section 22-96 sets no separate city inspection interval, no city elevator fee and no city maintenance schedule. Kingsport hands those questions to the State. Inside the city, the building official is in charge of the building department and is charged with the enforcement of the various building codes and ordinances of the city under Section 22-49. One copy of the adopted code stays on file in the office of the city recorder for public use, inspection and examination.
The electrician licensing division also draws a line around elevator work. Section 22-177 defines electrician and then states that the term does not apply to a person who sells, installs or maintains elevators, escalators or similar equipment, so the city's own electrician license definition carves that work out.
The history note for Section 22-96 ends with Ord. No. 7136, § I, adopted 2-20-2024, so owners and managers of buildings with elevators in the City of Kingsport, Sullivan County, should read the current Code text rather than an older copy of the International Building Code.
Violations & Fines
Section 22-96 prints no elevator-specific fine. Under Section 1-14, an act declared unlawful with no specific penalty is punished by a penalty of not less than $10.00 or more than $50.00, unless state law permits a greater amount, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense unless the ordinance provides otherwise. A penalty does not prevent revocation of a permit or license. Where a State elevator regulation applies, State law prevails over any conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who inspects elevators in the City of Kingsport?
What happens if State law and the Kingsport building code disagree about an elevator?
Does a Kingsport electrician license cover elevator work?
Where can I read the adopted building code in Kingsport?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kingsport
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