Building Safety in Kingsport, TN (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Kingsport, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
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.
Kingsport Elevator Inspection Rule Under the Building Code
Light RestrictionsKingsport Code § 22-96(a)
(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 ...
Green Building Code
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, energy efficiency rules come from the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code adopted in Section 22-96(d). The state minimum standard controls for one-family and two-family construction wherever the 2018 code is more stringent, Kingsport swaps in 2009 code tables, and blower door and duct blaster testing became optional effective March 1, 2024.
Kingsport Energy Conservation Code and Blower Door Testing
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code § 22-96(d)
Energy Conservation Code. The provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code, 2018 edition, published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted by reference as though copied verbatim in this subsection. ... (1)To the extent the 2018 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code contains standards more stringent than the state minimum standards adopted by the state f...
Building Permits
The City of Kingsport, Tennessee adopts the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 International Residential Code by reference in section 22-96 of the Kingsport Code, and each code's list of work exempt from permit is amended by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The residential code exemption threshold changes from 200 square feet to 120 square feet.
Kingsport Building Permit Codes and Exempt Work
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code § 22-96
(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. ... (e)Residential Code. The provisions of the International Residential Code, 2018 edition, including appendix F, Q, and J for one- and two-family dwelli...
Electrical Permits
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, no person can do work within the scope of the adopted 2017 National Electrical Code without a permit issued by the city recorder. The building official issues the application, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen sets the fees, and a homeowner doing his own work still needs a permit.
Kingsport Electrical Permits and 2017 National Electrical Code
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code §§ 22-121, 22-145, 22-146, 22-148
The provisions of the National Electrical Code 2017 edition published by the National Fire Protection Association, is hereby adopted by reference as though copied verbatim herein. ... No person shall do any work which is within the scope of the electrical code adopted by section 22-121 without a permit issued by the recorder. ... A person desiring an electrical permit shall pay such fees as are...
Plumbing Permits
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, a plumbing permit from the city recorder is required to connect to a sewer or septic system, install fixtures or appliances, or repair or add to existing plumbing. The 2018 International Plumbing Code is adopted, fees are set by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and plumbers need a city license.
Kingsport Plumbing Permits and 2018 International Plumbing Code
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code §§ 22-411, 22-442, 22-443, 22-445
The provisions of International Plumbing Code, 2018 edition, published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted by reference as though copied verbatim herein. ... No person shall connect any plumbing work with any sanitary or storm sewer, septic tank or sewage disposal system of any kind or install fixtures or appliances in new or existing systems, structures or premises or repair o...
Building Inspections
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, every electrical job and every plumbing job gets at least two inspections, one at rough-in and one at completion. Work cannot be covered until inspected and approved, and the responsible contractor must uncover covered electrical work at his own expense.
Kingsport Electrical and Plumbing Inspection Stages
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code §§ 22-151, 22-446
(a)At least two inspections shall be made on each electrical job, the first when the work is roughed in (all connections made and soldered, not taped), and the second when the job is finished. ... (b)No work shall be covered until the proper inspections have been made and approval given. The contractor or the person responsible for any work covered before it is inspected and approved shall unco...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kingsport city rules.
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