Property Maintenance in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
2 verified property maintenance rules for Chattanooga, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Property Blight
Chattanooga's Code Official condemns any building matching the 23-part "unsafe structure" definition in City Code Chapter 21, from collapse risk to a missing kitchen sink. Condemnation makes the building a public nuisance under § 21-77: occupants must leave immediately, a red placard goes up, and the owner has 15 days to request a City Court hearing.
Chattanooga Unsafe Structure Condemnation Rule
Significant RestrictionsChattanooga City Code §§ 21-76, 21-77
For purposes of this chapter, the term "unsafe structure" shall include any of the following: ... (e) Dangerous Structure or Premises. For the purposes of this chapter, any structure or premises that has any of the conditions or defects described below shall be considered dangerous: ... (3) Any portion of a Structure that has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood, deterioration, neglect...
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Chattanooga caps grass, weeds, and underbrush at 10 inches on all premises and exterior property, vacant and unimproved lots included, and can send a crew to cut overgrowth and bill the owner for it.
Chattanooga Vacant Lot Weed Limit
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 21-136(a)-(b)
All Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from grass, weeds or underbrush in excess of ten (10) inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Bushes, shrubs, vines, groundcover and decorative landscaping shall be properly maintained.(b)The Owner or Person responsible for the Premises who allows an overgrowth violation to occur may be subject to prosecution. In addition, the C...
Looking for Hamilton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chattanooga city rules.
Property Maintenance in Hamilton County →