All Laws Decoded

Chattanooga Landlord-Tenant Rules

Chattanooga adds local rules on top of Tennessee landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.

Fair housing (local ordinance)Chattanooga's Fair Housing Opportunities Ordinance mirrors the federal Fair Housing Act (Title VIII). It bars discrimination in the sale or rental of housing based on seven protected classes: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. To ask a question or file a complaint, contact the City's Fair Housing Compliance Officer at (423) 643-8240 or the Tennessee Human Rights Commission at (615) 741-5825.
The City page does not give the code section, a filing deadline or an online complaint form. No local protected classes beyond federal law are listed.
Source: City of Chattanooga Fair Housing Opportunities Ordinance
Habitability/code enforcement & complaint lineThe City's property maintenance code sets the minimum condition for the inside and outside of existing buildings within city limits. Code Enforcement works from complaints, so report problems to 311 at (423) 643-6311 or CHA311.com, or use the City's Report a Code Violation page. Code Enforcement's own line is (423) 643-7307.
The page does not state inspection or repair timelines.
Source: Chattanooga City Code - Property Maintenance
Eviction legal helpLegal Aid of East Tennessee runs a Chattanooga Eviction Prevention Initiative, (423) 710-9432. Its Chattanooga office (100 W Martin Luther King Blvd., Ste 402, (423) 756-4013 or (800) 572-7457) serves Hamilton and nearby counties. Applications are taken by phone; help is free for those who qualify.
Source: Official source

Eviction cases in Chattanooga are heard in: Hamilton County Court of General Sessions, Civil Division (Sessions Civil Court), 600 Market Street, Room 110, Chattanooga, TN 37402; 423-209-7630

Right to a lawyer in eviction cases

No guaranteed right. Legal Aid of East Tennessee's Chattanooga Eviction Prevention Initiative offers free help to qualifying tenants. Official source

Local agencies

Frequently asked questions

What landlord-tenant rules does Chattanooga add on top of Tennessee law?
Fair housing (local ordinance): Chattanooga's Fair Housing Opportunities Ordinance mirrors the federal Fair Housing Act (Title VIII). It bars discrimination in the sale or rental of housing based on seven protected classes: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. To ask a question or file a complaint, contact the City's Fair Housing Compliance Officer at (423) 643-8240 or the Tennessee Human Rights Commission at (615) 741-5825.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: The City's property maintenance code sets the minimum condition for the inside and outside of existing buildings within city limits. Code Enforcement works from complaints, so report problems to 311 at (423) 643-6311 or CHA311.com, or use the City's Report a Code Violation page. Code Enforcement's own line is (423) 643-7307.; Eviction legal help: Legal Aid of East Tennessee runs a Chattanooga Eviction Prevention Initiative, (423) 710-9432. Its Chattanooga office (100 W Martin Luther King Blvd., Ste 402, (423) 756-4013 or (800) 572-7457) serves Hamilton and nearby counties. Applications are taken by phone; help is free for those who qualify.

← All Tennessee landlord-tenant rules

Last verified against official sources: October 28, 2026.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.