Building Safety in Knoxville, TN (2026)

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 6-6(b) (Ord. No. O-125-2024, § 2, 10-29-24)

The city shall not mandate automatic fire sprinkler systems for three-family dwellings and four-family dwellings where structures are under five thousand (5,000) square feet in area and less than three (3) stories in height and where two-hour fire-resistance-rating for wall, floor, and ceiling separation assemblies is met. (Ord. No. O-125-2024, § 2, 10-29-24) Editor's note— Ord. No. O-125-2...

Knoxville City Code, Appendix B (Zoning Code), Art. 9, § 9.3.E

E. Day Care Center and Day Care Home 1. Each day care center or day care home must comply with all applicable Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) regulations, including required indoor and outdoor space. 2. The day care center's or day care home's operator's license must be displayed publicly. 4. A day care home is limited to the care of seven unrelated individuals who do not reside i...

Knoxville Code of Ordinances §§ 6-55.1–6-55.2 (Ord. No. O-27-2014, § 1, 2-4-14; Ord. No. O-151-2014, § 1, 6-24-14)

Chapters 1 through 12 and Appendix B of the International Green Construction Code, 2012 edition, are hereby adopted as the Green Construction Code of the City of Knoxville ("Green Construction Code") and are made a part of this article by reference as though copied herein in full, with amendments set out in this article. ... This Code shall apply for use on a voluntary basis to the design, cons...

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 16-612(2)

During each short term rental unit occupancy, each short term rental unit shall have the following life safety equipment on the premises and installed to manufacturer specifications: a. A smoke alarm meeting Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 217 standards inside each sleeping room, outside of and within fifteen (15) feet of sleeping rooms, and on each story of the dwelling unit, including basements;...

Knoxville Code of Ordinances §§ 6-1—6-2 (Code 1962, § 10-1(a)–(b); Ord. No. O-125-2024, § 2, 10-29-24)

All survey plot plans submitted pursuant to this chapter shall show the existing and proposed drainage, utility easements, utility connections, building setbacks, and parking areas including ingress and egress. Structural plans shall show all details required by the building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and gas codes. No building permit shall be issued until all signatures of approval have...

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 10-27 (NEC § 10.30, Permits Required, as locally amended)

An owner, authorized agent or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace electrical systems or equipment, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause such work to be done, shall first make application to the building o...

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 6-106 (Ord. No. O-148-99, §§ 1, 6, 5-4-99; Ord. No. O-125-2024, § 2, 10-29-24)

The International Plumbing Code, 2024 edition, and Appendices B, C, D, and E, as modified by the provisions of this article, is hereby adopted as the Plumbing Code of the City of Knoxville ("plumbing code") and is made a part of this article by reference as though copied herein in full. (Ord. No. O-148-99, §§ 1, 6, 5-4-99; Ord. No. O-81-07, § 1, 4-24-07; Ord. No. O-224-2012, § 1, 12-11-12; O...

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 10-27 (NEC §§ 10.34.1, 10.34.3, 10.34.5 - Inspections, as locally amended)

10.34.1 Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the holder of the electrical permit or their duly authorized agent to notify the building official when work is ready for inspection. ... 10.34.3 Underground. Underground inspection shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping and conductors installed, and before backfill is put in place. ... 10.34.5 Final. Final i...