Updated: July 28, 2017

TENNESSEANS SHOULD LEARN THE LAWS ABOUT READY-REMOVABLE STRUCTURES BEFORE BUYING. THE "TINY HOUSE" TREND IS BOOMING ACROSS THE COUNTRY BUT THE ILLEGAL CONVERSION OF READY-REMOVABLE SHED STRUCTURES INTO LIVING SPACES COULD MEAN TROUBLE FOR BUYERS. IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT CONSUMERS, THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE URGES RESIDENTS TO BE AWARE OF STATE LAWS GOVERNING SUCH STRUCTURES. THE TERM "READY-REMOVABLE" REFERS TO A STRUCTURE WITHOUT ANY FOUNDATION, FOOTINGS, OR OTHER SUPPORT MECHANISMS THAT ALLOW THE BUILDING TO BE EASILY RELOCATED. THESE STRUCTURES MAY INCLUDE ELECTRICAL WIRING. IT IS AGAINST STATE LAW TO MODIFY READY-REMOVABLE STRUCTURES FOR USE AS RESIDENTIAL, RECREATIONAL OR EMERGENCY HOUSING IN TENNESSEE. SUCH STRUCTURES WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING CAN BE USED FOR WORK SPACES OR STORAGE BUT MUST STILL MEET APPLICABLE STATE AND LOCAL ELECTRICAL AND BUILDING PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE HARDWIRED SMOKE ALARMS. READY-REMOVABLES CANNOT HAVE PLUMBING SYSTEMS.