Athens City Code

Pursuant to authority granted by T.C.A. §§ 6-54-501 through 6-54-506 and for the purpose of regulating construction, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenance connected or attached to any building, the International Building Code, 2021 edition (see Ordinance 1142 for full list of exceptions) as prepared and adopted by the International Code Council, is adopted and incorporated by reference as part of this Code and is hereinafter referred to as the building code.

(Code 1972, § 4-101; Code 1995, § 12-101; Ord. No. 836, § 1, 10-21-1997; Ord. No. 860, 8-17-1999; Ord. No. 960, 7-17-2007; Ord. No. 1008, 8-21-2012; Ord. No. 1058, § 2, 1-17-2017; Ord. No. 1105, § 2, 12-21-2021)

1. (1) Administrator. When the building code refers to the "chief appointing authority" or the "chief administrator," it shall be deemed to be a reference to the city manager.
2. (2) Community development director. The city has established a department to be called the department of community development, which shall be in charge of the building programs. The community development director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the city manager.
3. (3) Inspectors. The community development director, with the approval of the city manager, may appoint such number of officers, inspectors, assistants, and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time.
4. (4) Board of housing appeals. Section 113 of the building code, board of appeals, is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
   
   "The board of housing appeals provided for in section 12-135 of the Athens City Code is designated to serve also as the board of adjustments and appeals for the building code.
   
   Members must meet one of the five listed qualifications in the adopted Appendix B [A]B101.2.2, qualifications, of the 2018 International Building Code.
   
   Three members of the board shall constitute a quorum. In varying the application of any provisions of this code or in modifying an order of the community development director, affirmative votes of the majority present, but not less than three affirmative votes, shall be required. No board member shall act in a case in which he has a personal interest.
   
   The community development director shall act as secretary of the board of adjustments and appeals and shall make a detailed record of all its proceedings, which shall set forth the reasons for its decisions, the vote of each member participating therein, the absence of a member, and any failure of a member to vote.
   
   The board shall establish rules and regulations for its own procedure not inconsistent with the provisions of this code. The board may meet at regular intervals, to be determined by the chairman, or in any event, the board shall meet within ten days after notice of an appeal has been received."

(Code 1972, § 4-102; Code 1995, § 12-102; Ord. No. 960, 7-17-2007)

Pursuant to the requirements of the T.C.A. § 6-54-502, one copy of the building code has been placed on file in the city manager's office and shall be kept there for the use and inspection of the public.

(Code 1972, § 4-103; Code 1995, § 12-103)

No building shall be constructed on any newly created lot which does not abut on an existing street, as described in ACC 16-104(2), for at least 40 feet, excluding flag lots.

(Code 1972, § 4-104; Code 1995, § 12-104; Ord. No. 960, 7-17-2007; Ord. No. 984, 3-16-2010)

It is unlawful for any person to move any building without a moving permit. Furthermore, no single-family dwelling, including manufactured homes, having less than 900 square feet shall be moved into the corporate limits.

(Code 1972, § 4-105; Code 1995, § 12-105; Ord. No. 1008, 8-21-2012)

It is unlawful for any person to violate or fail to comply with any provision of this chapter or the building code as herein adopted by reference and modified.

(Code 1972, § 4-106; Code 1995, § 12-106)