Knoxville does not operate a general rental registration program. Property maintenance and minimum housing standards apply through Code Enforcement under Chapter 19, but there is no citywide rental license requirement.
Unlike some peer cities, Knoxville has not adopted a mandatory rental registration or proactive rental licensing program for long-term rentals. Rental properties remain subject to Knoxville Code Chapter 19 minimum housing standards, building code chapters, and complaint-based code enforcement by the Plans Review and Inspections Department. STR operators have separate registration obligations under Chapter 8. Periodic City Council debates have considered registration proposals, particularly tied to lead and habitability concerns, but as of 2026 no general program is in force.
Long-term rentals violating minimum housing standards face Chapter 19 code citations and corrective orders. Failure to register an STR is a separate Chapter 8 violation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no general City Code ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, garden statues, religious displays, or yard decorations on private residential prope...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no City Code ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private residential property. Inflatables must stay within the pr...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no dedicated City Code ordinance regulating the timing, brightness, or quantity of residential holiday light displays. General electrical safet...
Knoxville, TN
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Knoxville require Plans Review & Inspections permits when they include gas lines, plumbing, electrical work, or structures. Nat...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville treats wood smokers, pellet grills, and other solid-fuel cooking equipment under the 2024 International Fire Code as adopted in City Code Chapter 1...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has adopted the 2024 International Fire Code under City Code Chapter 11, Article II (Sections 11-21 to 11-22), effective January 2025. IFC Section ...
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