Chattanooga, TN Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- Unlawful to rent unsafe/condemned structure
- Pre-rental requirement
- Certificate of occupancy from building dept.
- Landlord occupancy violation
- Class B misdemeanor, T.C.A. § 13-21-110
- Habitability trigger
- Unsanitary, vermin infestation, no heat/ventilation
- General penalty
- Up to $500, each day separate offense
- Inspecting authority
- City Code Enforcement Inspectors, § 21-33
Summary
Chattanooga makes it unlawful to rent or offer for rent any structure the Code Official has declared unsafe or condemned. City Code § 21-83 requires a certificate of occupancy before such a unit can be leased again, and § 21-76 defines "unfit for human occupancy" to include filth, vermin infestation, and missing ventilation, sanitary or heating facilities.
(c) Structure unfit for human occupancy. A Structure is unfit for human occupancy when, because of the degree to which it is in disrepair or lacks maintenance, such structure is unsanitary, vermin- or rat-infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities, or other essential equipment required by this chapter or because the location of the structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure or to the public. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to rent or offer for rent any unsafe structure or condemned structure. A certificate of occupancy shall be obtained before any such structure is rented, leased or let for occupancy.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 21-83 flatly bars renting, leasing or offering for rent any structure the Code Official has found unsafe or condemned, and requires the owner to obtain a certificate of occupancy before the unit is rented, leased or let for occupancy again. That backstops the chapter's broader habitability standard in § 21-76(c): a structure is "unfit for human occupancy" when disrepair or lack of maintenance leaves it unsanitary, vermin- or rat-infested, contaminated with filth, or without adequate ventilation, illumination, sanitary facilities or heat. The same section separately condemns a dwelling unit lacking a properly connected kitchen sink, tub or shower, or flush toilet, or lacking at least two wall outlets or a ceiling fixture per habitable room.
" Before re-letting, § 21-82 requires the owner to correct every violation, bring the unit into compliance with the Property Maintenance Code and the Building Code, and obtain the certificate of occupancy from the city's building department; if the condemned condition can legally be fixed without a building permit, the Code Official may lift the condemnation without requiring the certificate first. § 68-120-117 if entry is refused.
Violations & Fines
Renting or offering an unsafe or condemned structure without a certificate of occupancy violates § 21-83, and a landlord who allows tenants into a condemned unit also risks a Class B misdemeanor under T.C.A. § 13-21-110. Absent a specific fine, City Code § 1-8's general penalty applies: up to $500 per violation, with each day the condition continues charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Chattanooga landlord rent out a condemned house?
What counts as "unfit for human occupancy" under Chattanooga's code?
What happens to a landlord who lets tenants stay in a condemned rental?
How does a landlord get a condemned rental cleared for tenants again?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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