Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Knox County, TN has adopted the 2018 International Codes, with amendments, including the 2018 IRC and IBC. Knox County, TN Muni. Codes § 10-56 (IRC adoption), § 10-57 (IRC amendments), § 10-31 (IBC adoption) and § 10-32 (IBC amendments).

State regulations may not permit the adoption of a code less stringent than the codes adopted by the state. For the most accurate information please check with the local building department. See the Tennessee state overview. Link to Tennessee Building Codes.

Helpful resources for Knox County, Tennessee include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Tennessee

Residential Building Code

Tennessee adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control; however, local governments are free to make laws more strict (with some limitations).See PLRB, Tennessee Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Knox County adopted the 2018 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2018 IRC with Tennessee amendments(Knox County, TN Sec. 10-56. - Adopted.)

...The county hereby adopts the 2018 edition of the International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., by reference, as if set out at length in this section, with the amendments set out in this article. (Ord. No. O-18-10-101, § 3, 11-19-18)...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Knox County ? No
Citation: § 10-57
Municipal Code https://library.municode.com/tn/knox_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH10BUBURE_ARTIII2018INRECOIR_S10-57AM
Comments:

Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria.

Insert "10 PSF" in the table for Ground Snow Load.

Insert "90" in the table for Wind Speed.

Insert "No" in the table for topographic effects.

Insert "C" in the table for Seismic Design Category.

Insert "Severe" in the table for Weathering.

Insert "12 inches" in the table for Frost Line Depth.

Insert "Moderate to heavy" in the table for Termite.

Insert "19 degrees Fahrenheit" in the table for Winter Design Temperature.

Insert "No" in the table for Ice Barrier Underlayment Required.

Insert "210" in the table for Air Freezing Index.

Insert "59.4" in the table for Mean Annual Temperature.

Delete footnote g. in its entirety and in its place insert "g. Flood hazard areas shall be as determined by the Knox County Department of Engineering and Public Works."

Comments

Knox County, TN has adopted the 2018 IRC including appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, M, N, O, P and Q. Knox County, TN Muni. Code § 10-57.

Section R313 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems.

Add the words "(Optional, see Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-120-101(a)(8))." in the section title after the word "Systems".

Section R313.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems.

Delete the words "An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses." and replace with "When an automatic residential fire sprinkler system is installed in townhouses, the following shall apply:"

Section R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems.

Delete the words "An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two-family dwellings." and replace with "When an automatic residential fire sprinkler system is installed in one- and two-family dwellings, the following shall apply:" Knox County, TN Muni. Code § 10-57.

Existing Buildings

Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.

Knox County, TN has adopted the 2018 IRC including appendix J. Knox County, TN Muni. Code § 10-57.

Commercial Building Code

Knox County adopted the 2018 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2012 IBC with Tennessee amendments(Knox County, TN ARTICLE II. - 2018 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC))

...1, adopted November 19, 2018, repealed and reenacted article II in its entirety to read as herein set out. Formerly, article II pertained to the 2012 International Building Code (IBC), and derived from Ord. No. O-94-9-101, § 1(A), adopted January 23, 1995; Ord. No. O-95-9-101, § 1, adopted October 23, 1995; Ord. No. O-99-6-102, § 1, adopted...

Comments

Knox County, TN has adopted the 2018 IBC including appendices A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J and K. Knox County, TN Muni. Code § 10-32.

Existing Buildings

Knox County, TN has adopted the 2018 IEBC. Knox County, TN Muni. Codes § 10-281 (adoption) and § 10-282 (amendments).

Other Building Codes