Tennessee Mandates Minimum Residential Building Codes

A measure enacting a minimum residential building code around Tennessee has been signed by the governor.

Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen pushed for the bill and signed it last week. It takes effect July 1.

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

Other elements of the law (SB2300) include requiring increased energy efficiency in state buildings and vehicles and expanding tax incentives for job creation in the green energy field.

Bredesen has said the measure will help the state create more “clean energy jobs.”