1. (1) A local jurisdiction that adopts and enforces building construction and fire safety codes pursuant to T.C.A. § 68-120-101(b)(2)(A) shall forward all relevant local ordinances to the Division within sixty (60) days of adopting the ordinance.

   1. (a) A local jurisdiction shall conduct an initial plans review for an average of eighty percent (80%) of the jurisdiction’s construction projects within thirty (30) days of receipt of an application.
   2. (b) A local jurisdiction shall perform an inspection within thirty (30) days of when the request is made.
2. (2) A local jurisdiction that adopts and enforces building construction and fire safety codes pursuant to T.C.A. § 68-120-101(b)(2)(A) shall adopt an edition of a building construction or fire safety code within seven (7) years of the most current published edition.

3. (3) Except as provided in T.C.A. § 68-120-101, or otherwise approved in writing by the Division, no political subdivision of the state of Tennessee shall adopt or enforce any ordinance prescribing less stringent standards of fire prevention, fire protection, or building construction safety than those established in this chapter.

   1. (a) The locally adopted codes and standards may not be lessened without submitting a draft of the ordinance for local adoption to the Division for review and approval prior to becoming effective.
   2. (b) If a local jurisdiction adopts less stringent codes and standards without prior approval in writing from the Division, then the locally adopted amendment to the building construction and fire safety codes shall be invalid.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-102-113, 68-120-101, and 68-120-106. Administrative History: Original rule filed July 17, 1982; effective August 26, 1982. Amendment filed October 11, 1985; effective November 10, 1985. Repeal and amendments filed May 6, 2016; effective August 4, 2016. Amendments filed January 17, 2025; effective April 17, 2025.