Codes

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on financial impacts or exact wording for certain requirements.

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 amend building codes for up to six-family dwellings after consulting with registered architects or engineers.
• Requires each dwelling unit to have its own means of entry and exit.
• Needs walls and floors between units to be fire-resistant for at least two hours.
• Limits the height of buildings containing up to six-family dwellings to three stories above ground level.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local governments in Tennessee
• Builders and developers of multi-family housing

Terms To Know

Building codes

Rules that set standards for how buildings are designed, built, and maintained.

Fire resistance rating

A measure of how long a building material can withstand fire before it breaks down or burns through.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify the exact financial impact on local governments.
• Local governments still have the option to require automatic sprinkler systems, but they are not mandatory under this new rule.

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

HOUSE BILL 2551
By Lamberth

SENATE BILL 2236
By Johnson
SB2236
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.