Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Knoxville, TN has adopted the 2018 International Codes, with amendments, including the 2018 IRC (for One and Two Family Dwellings) and IBC. Knoxville, TN Muni. Codes § 6-41 (IRC adoption), § 6-42 (IRC amendments), § 6-31 (IBC adoption) and § 6-32 (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 Knoxville, 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.

Knoxville 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(Knoxville, TN Sec. 6-41. - Adopted.)

...The International Residential Building Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings, 2018 edition, and Appendices E, F, H, K, Q, R, and S as amended by this article, is hereby adopted as the Residential Building Code of the City of Knoxville ("residential building code") and is made a part of this article by reference as though copied herein in...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Knoxville ? No
Citation: § 6-42
Municipal Code https://library.municode.com/tn/knoxville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH6BUBURE_ARTIIAREBUCO_S6-42AM
Comments:

CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA

Ground Snow Load	Wind Design				Seismic Design Category f	Subject to Damage From
	Speed d (mph)	Topographic effects k	Special wind region l	Windborne debris zone m		Weathering a	Frost Line Depth b	Termite c
10 PSF	90	No	No	No	C	Severe	12 inches	Moderate to Heavy

 

Winter Design Temp e	Ice Barrier Underlayment Required h	Flood Hazards g	Air Freezing Index i	Mean Annual Temp j
19° F	No		210	59.4

Government Officials

Comments

Knoxville, TN has adopted the 2018 IRC including appendices E, F, H, K, Q, R and S. Knoxville, TN Muni. Code  § 6-41.

Delete Section R313 Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems in its entirety and substitute the following:

R313 AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS (Optional), see Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-120-101(a)(8).

R313.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. When an automatic residential fire sprinkler system is installed in townhouses, the following shall apply. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required when additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed.

R313.1.1 Design and installation. Automatic residential fire sprinkler systems for townhouses shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904.

R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems. When an automatic residential fire sprinkler system is installed in one- and two-family dwellings, the following shall apply.

Exception: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required for additions or alterations to existing buildings that are not already provided with an automatic residential sprinkler system. Knoxville, TN Muni. Code § 6-42

Commercial Building Code

Knoxville 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(Knoxville, TN Sec. 6-31. - Adopted.)

...The International Building Code, 2018 edition, and Appendices D as amended by this article, is hereby adopted as the building code of the City of Knoxville ("building code") and is made a part of this article by reference as though copied herein in full. (Ord. No. O-149-99, §§ 1, 13, 5-4-99; Ord. No. O-39-03, §...

Comments

Knoxville, TN has adopted the 2018 IBC including appendix D. Knoxville, TN Muni. Code § 6-31.

Existing Buildings

Knoxville, TN has adopted the 2018 IEBC. Knoxville, TN Muni. Codes § 6-53 (adoption) and § 6-54 (amendments).

Other Building Codes