Codes

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Building Code Changes for Multi-Family Dwellings

This bill allows local governments in Tennessee to modify building codes for up to six-family dwellings after consulting with architects or engineers.

What This Bill Does

• Allows local governments to change building codes for up to six-family homes after talking with experts like architects or engineers.
• Requires each home within a multi-family dwelling to have its own way out and be separated by strong walls and floors that can resist fires.
• Limits the height of these buildings to three stories above ground level.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local governments in Tennessee
• Builders and developers of up to six-family dwellings

Terms To Know

Fire resistance rating

A measure of how well a wall or floor can stop fires from spreading.

NFPA 13D standard

A safety guideline for fire sprinkler systems in buildings.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the exact costs of implementing these changes.
• Local governments can still choose to require automatic sprinklers, but they are not required by state law.

Official Summary Text

Present law requires the state fire marshal to promulgate rules establishing minimum statewide building construction safety standards. However, the standards must allow a local government to amend the adopted building code for three-family dwellings and
four-family dwellings.

This bill, instead, requires the statewide building construction safety standards to allow a local government to amend adopted building codes, after consulting with a registered architect or engineer, to include up to six-family dwellings outside of the
scope of the adopted building codes for one- and two-family dwellings by establishing minimum prescriptive requirements to address the design and construction of dwellings. However, such minimum prescriptive requirements must comply with all of the follo
wi
ng requirements:



Each dwelling must be provided with a separate means of entry and exit.


Each dwelling must be separated from each other by wall and floor assemblies with at least a two-hour fire resistance rating.


The entire structure containing the dwellings must be three stories or less above grade plane.

This bill prohibits the state fire marshal from mandating automatic sprinkler systems for up to six-family dwellings. However, local governments may adopt mandatory sprinkler requirements and may authorize the use of the National Fire Protection Associa
tion 13D standard for up to six-family dwellings.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 2236
By Johnson

HOUSE BILL 2551
By Lamberth
HB2551
012409
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68,
Chapter 120, relative to building codes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-120-101(a)(12), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:
(A) Shall allow a local government to amend adopted building codes after
consulting with a registered architect or engineer in the jurisdiction to include up to six
(6) family dwellings outside the scope of the adopted building codes for one- and two-
family dwellings by establishing minimum prescriptive requirements to address the
design and construction of dwellings that conform as follows:
(i) A separate means of egress is provided for each dwelling;
(ii) Dwellings are separated from each other by wall and floor assemblies
having not less than a two-hour fire resistance rating; and
(iii) The entire structure does not exceed three (3) stories above grade
plane;
(B) In amending the rules pursuant to this subdivision (a)(12), the state fire
marshal shall not mandate automatic fire sprinkler systems for up to six-family dwellings;
and
(C) Notwithstanding this subdivision (a)(12), local governments may adopt
mandatory sprinkler requirements and may permit the use of the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) 13D standard for up to six-family dwellings.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.