Knoxville City Code Chapter 19 housing standards require landlords and owners to keep dwellings free from rodents, roaches, and bed bugs, with Codes Enforcement issuing notices and Knox County Health Department supporting investigations of severe infestations.
Chapter 19 of the Knoxville City Code, the Property Maintenance Code, treats pest infestations as habitability defects landlords must address. Cockroach, rodent, bed bug, and termite infestations affecting whole units or buildings can trigger Codes Enforcement orders to retain a licensed pest-control operator and document treatment. Tenants must also avoid creating conditions that attract pests, such as accumulated trash. Severe public-health pest issues, including rats reaching neighborhood-wide levels, can involve Knox County Health Department coordination. Tennessee Department of Agriculture Regulatory Services regulates pest-control licensing for commercial applicators.
Unaddressed infestations can result in Property Maintenance Code citations, daily fines, civil-court rent-escrow actions by tenants, and ultimately uninhabitable-dwelling orders forcing repairs before reoccupancy.
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