Codes Enforcement
Notice
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has filed rules with the Secretary of State to update the State’s minimum codes and other regulations. The rule filing can be found here: 01-17-25.pdf. They become effective April 17, 2025. In accordance with TN Department of Commerce and Insurance Rule 0780-02-03-.11, plans for construction that are required to have State Fire Marshal’s Office approval may be submitted under the previous codes for 120 days after April 17, 2025, which is August 15, 2025. Highlights of the changes are:
- Discontinuance of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code for state buildings, schools, and other buildings requiring initial inspection from the State Fire Marshal’s Office
- Modifications to requirements for storm shelters
- Adoption of Appendix AM of IRC for family home day cares
- Modification of ASCE 7 edition adopted by reference in IBC
- Modification of requirements for flammable gases
- Modification of requirements for emergency radio coverage systems
- Modifications to IECC related to automatic receptacle control, energy monitoring systems, commissioning, and code edition related to occupancy
- Modifications to IEBC related to storm shelters and repairs to damaged structures
- Inclusion of rules for audits of Exempt Jurisdictions
- Modification of requirements for exempt jurisdictions that reduce requirements of their adopted codes
- Inclusion of rules for Mobile Food Units
The Codes Enforcement section enforces statewide adopted fire and building construction safety codes and standards to afford a reasonable degree of safety to life and property from fire and hazards incident to the design, construction, alteration, and repair of buildings or structures.
- State Codes Adoption & History [pdf] *Updated April 17th, 2025*
- Information for New Schools and Daycares with 49 or Fewer Children Going Into Existing Buildings
- Application for New Schools and Daycares with 49 or Fewer Children Going Into Existing Buildings
- When Plans Submittal Is Required [pdf]
- Plans Submittal Requirements [pdf]
- Plans Review Fee Calculator [pdf]
- Fee Schedule [pdf]
- Exempt Jurisdictions [pdf]
- Submit Plans Review Projects Online
- Search for the Plans Review Status of a Project
- Plans Submittal Portal Application Guide [pdf]
- Electronic Plans Submittal Preferences [pdf]
- Rules for Review of Construction Plans and Specifications [Rule 0780-2-3]
- Rules for Adopted Codes and Standards [Rule 0780-2-2]
- Statute for Statewide Building Construction Safety Standards (LexisNexis) [TCA 68-120-101]
- Hand Sanitizer and Drills Guidance for Schools [pdf]
Newsletters Archive
- Head-of-wall joints, types of sprinkler systems, portal updates (May 2022)
- Existing Building Code, Seismic Requirements (August 2021)
- Exempt jurisdictions, Tennessee’s code history (May 2020)
- Wedding barns, COVID-19 update (August 2020)
- Sprinkler success story, architect requirements (March 2021)
- Another sprinkler success, occupancy loads, fire stopping vs. fire blocking (June 2021)
Some files are Adobe Reader® Files [pdf], 6.0 or higher. You may need to DOWNLOAD a free copy of Adobe Reader® to view these files.