Tennessee Mandates Building Code

Gov. Phil Bredesen has signed a measure enacting a minimum residential building code across Tennessee. The bill took effect July 1.

Under the law, local governments in the 60 counties that don’t have building codes have to vote against participating by a two-thirds vote after each general election.

Other elements of the law (SB 2300) include requiring increased energy efficiency in state buildings and vehicles and expanding tax incentives for job creation in the green energy field.