Housing (Building Codes)

died · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2340: Housing - As introduced, encourages municipalities to study and assess housing affordability and inventory availability, and to adopt a pattern book for purposes of encouraging the construction of medium-density housing. - Amends TCA Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

HB 2340 encourages Tennessee municipalities to study housing affordability and inventory by requiring them to: (1) conduct a detailed housing stock inventory, (2) assess current/future housing needs based on demographics and income gaps, and (3) create a pre-approved "pattern book" of medium-density housing designs. This pattern book would include standardized floor plans, building layouts, and streamlined permit processes for "missing middle" housing - mid-sized developments between single-family homes and large apartment buildings (under 12 units). The bill directly affects local governments and developers by aiming to make housing construction more efficient and affordable within existing neighborhoods. It does not mandate adoption but provides a framework for communities to address housing shortages through planning. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEncourages medium-density housing development via pattern book and streamlined permits to address affordability gaps, directly advancing housing options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2516: Housing - As introduced, encourages municipalities to study and assess housing affordability and inventory availability, and to adopt a pattern book for purposes of encouraging the construction of medium-density housing. - Amends TCA Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

SB 2516 encourages Tennessee municipalities to study local housing needs and adopt standardized design guides for medium-density housing (such as townhouses or small apartment buildings). It requires cities to inventory housing stock, assess affordability gaps between household income and housing costs, and create "pattern books" with pre-approved designs and streamlined permitting processes. These pattern books would help developers build more housing options without altering neighborhood character by providing clear, approved layouts. The bill applies to all Tennessee cities and towns that choose to participate in these planning efforts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEncourages medium-density housing development via pattern books and streamlined permitting to address affordability gaps and increase housing options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2131: Housing - As introduced, provides for the regulation of accessory dwelling units. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 66 and Title 68.

SB 2131 regulates accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary housing units (like in-law suites or backyard cottages) on lots zoned for single-family or duplex homes. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing more restrictive rules on ADUs than on primary homes, such as requiring smaller sizes (minimum 850 sq ft), banning ADUs on single-family lots, mandating owner occupancy, or limiting parking. It also requires local governments to process ADU building permits within 60 days without discretionary review or extra hearings. This bill directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs and local governments managing zoning and building codes across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes barriers to ADUs (like size limits/bans), enabling more housing options and increasing supply, directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

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passed · Tennessee · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1501: Local Government, General - As introduced, authorizes a municipality to create and require the use of a landlord registry for a real estate investment trust that owns, operates, or finances 10 or more dwelling units located within the municipality. - Amends TCA Title 66.

HB 1501 would allow Tennessee municipalities to require real estate investment trusts (REITs) owning 10 or more rental units within city limits to register with local building code enforcement agencies. REITs would need to provide their contact information and the full addresses of all properties they manage, with updates required within 30 days of any changes. Municipalities could impose a $50 weekly fine for non-compliance, but must provide a hearing opportunity before levying penalties. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not authorize fees for REITs to file required information.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires REITs to register and provide property details, enabling municipalities to enforce building codes and tenant protections through accountability measures, enhancing oversight for large landlords.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2031: Housing - As introduced, provides for the regulation of accessory dwelling units. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 66 and Title 68.

HB 2031 standardizes regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary housing units like backyard cottages - across Tennessee. It directly affects homeowners in single-family or duplex zones and local governments, by prohibiting municipalities from imposing stricter rules on ADUs than on primary homes (e.g., requiring smaller sizes, banning ADUs on eligible lots, or mandating excessive parking). Key provisions include setting a minimum 850-square-foot size for ADUs, banning restrictions on ADU leasing or occupancy, and requiring local governments to approve ADU permits within 60 days without discretionary review. The bill also mandates that ADU regulations align with those for primary homes, such as setbacks and height limits, while allowing local governments to adopt more permissive standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes local restrictions on ADUs, standardizes rules, and mandates minimum size to increase housing availability and affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 1326: Real Property - As enacted, creates a vested property right upon the submission, rather than the approval, of a development plan or building permit; specifies that the vesting period applicable when it is based on the submission of a building permit is three years. - Amends TCA Title 13.

HB 1326 changes Tennessee law to establish a property owner's development rights (a "vested right") when they submit a development plan or building permit application to local government, rather than waiting for official approval. This right lasts for three years from the submission date, during which the development standards in effect at the time of submission remain fixed. The bill requires plans to substantially comply with local regulations to trigger this right, and it amends multiple sections of Tennessee law to replace "approval" with "submission" throughout. This directly affects property developers, builders, and local governments by altering when development rights become protected under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes vested development rights upon plan submission, fixing standards for 3 years to reduce delays. This directly advances housing development by streamlining permits for property owners, aligning with the topic's focus on development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Landlords Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 488: Local Government, General - As introduced, removes abandonment as an option for a property owner after a municipality determines the structure located on the property is unfit for human occupation or use; authorizes all municipalities to adopt ordinances to inspect residential dwelling units that are deteriorated. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 21.

SB 488 removes the option for property owners to abandon properties when a municipality declares a structure unsafe for human occupation. It authorizes all Tennessee municipalities to create their own ordinances requiring inspections of deteriorated residential properties. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to building safety, eliminating the previous "abandonment" pathway and giving local governments clearer authority to enforce housing standards. This directly affects homeowners in Tennessee and strengthens municipal oversight of unsafe residential buildings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves property abandonment loophole for unsafe structures, mandates municipal inspections of deteriorated housing, and strengthens enforcement of building safety standards to protect tenants and maintain housing quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Landlords Tenant Rights Tags Local Government

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 1313: Real Property - As enacted, creates a vested property right upon the submission, rather than the approval, of a development plan or building permit; specifies that the vesting period applicable when it is based on the submission of a building permit is three years. - Amends TCA Title 13.

SB 1313 changes Tennessee property development law by establishing a property owner's rights upon *submitting* a development plan or building permit, rather than waiting for local government *approval*. This affects developers and local governments, as it secures rights for three years starting from the submission date. The law requires plans to substantially comply with local ordinances, fixes development standards in place at submission for the entire vesting period, and shifts key terms from "approval" to "submission" throughout the code. The bill is now enacted (effective July 1, 2025), streamlining the timeline for project certainty.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines housing development by securing property rights upon plan submission (not approval), reducing delays and encouraging construction within 3-year vesting period.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Landlords Property Development