Knoxville, TN Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Unfit dwelling standard
- Damaged, unsafe, unsanitary, or vermin-infested
- Demolition trigger
- 50%+ damaged, decayed, or deteriorated
- Enforcement
- City repairs/demolishes, bills owner
- Unpaid cost penalty
- 25% penalty plus property lien
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $50 fine, 30 days
Summary
Knoxville declares unfit or dangerous buildings public nuisances and can order the owner to repair or demolish them, recovering the cost through a property lien if the owner won't act.
All buildings which are unfit or dangerous within the terms of section 6-143 are hereby declared to be public nuisances, and shall be repaired or demolished and debris removed from the site as provided in this article. The following criteria shall be used by the public officer or the better building board in ordering repair or demolition:
(1)If the building can be reasonably repaired so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this article or other ordinances of the city, it shall be repaired.(2)In any case where a building is fifty (50) percent damaged or decayed or deteriorated, it shall be demolished; and in all cases where the building cannot be repaired so that it will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this article it shall be demolished. In all cases where a building is a fire hazard existing or erected in violation of the provisions of this article or any ordinance of the city or statute of the state, it shall be demolished. (Code 1962, § 10-31; Ord. No. O-47-2012, § 2, 4-3-12)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 6-143, a dwelling is "unfit" when code violations leave it damaged, unsanitary, unsafe, vermin-infested, or open to unauthorized access in a way that endangers occupants or the public; a commercial building is "dangerous" on the same standard. Sec. 6-144 declares any such structure a public nuisance: if it can reasonably be repaired it must be repaired, but a building fifty percent or more damaged, decayed, or deteriorated must be demolished. If the owner doesn't comply, the director of public service can complete the repair or demolition and bill the owner, certifying unpaid costs as a lien on the property in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a repair-or-demolish order lets the city do the work and lien the property for costs plus a 25% penalty; violating the article is also a misdemeanor carrying up to $50 and 30 days (§ 6-139).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building "unfit" under Knoxville's code?
Can Knoxville force demolition of a dangerous building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
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