Chattanooga, TN Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- First re-inspection
- Free, after notice of correction
- Additional re-inspections
- $50 each, for noncompliance
- Late notice penalty
- $5 per day past 10 days
- Enforcing office
- Chief building inspector
Summary
Chattanooga's chief building inspector must be notified after a cited defect is fixed. The first re-inspection is free, but every additional one after continued noncompliance costs $50.
Any person who shall fail to correct any defect in his work within a reasonable time after having been duly notified of such defects by the chief building inspector or his assistants, shall not receive any further permit until such defect or defects have been corrected. Immediately after the correction of such defect or defects the chief building inspector shall be notified of such corrections. One (1) inspection will be made after notice of correction at no charge; if, however, the defects or violations have not been corrected in accordance with this chapter and/or code there will be a charge of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each additional inspection required caused by noncompliance. If the building inspection department is not notified within ten (10) days after notice by the inspector to correct the defect then there will be a penalty of five dollars ($5.00) and each additional day over ten (10) days, shall constitute a separate offense.
(Code 1986, § 10-4; Ord. No. 12363, § 2, 3-2-10)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 10-4, anyone who fails to correct a defect flagged by the chief building inspector loses eligibility for further permits until it's fixed. Once corrected, the inspector must be notified so a follow-up inspection can be made: that first re-inspection is free. If the defect or violation still isn't corrected, each additional required inspection costs $50. Separately, if the building inspection department isn't notified of the correction within ten days of the inspector's notice, a $5 penalty applies, and each day beyond that ten-day window is treated as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Each additional re-inspection after continued noncompliance costs $50; failing to notify the department of a correction within 10 days adds a $5 penalty, with every extra day counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the first re-inspection free in Chattanooga?
What if I don't notify the inspector within 10 days of the correction notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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