Building code opt-out

The first speaker addressed the chair regarding the building code standard resolution, urging action on the opt-out.

A homeowner since 1998 who built her own home, she argued codes and inspections are a costly slippery slope that stifle innovation and private property freedom, and said existing private safeguards like lender and insurer inspections suffice.

A former Californian, she said government burdens drove her from California and urged the board to keep Tennessee free of added inspection requirements.

She built her own tiny home for under $15,000 in 2021 and said permit fees and codes would price out young people; she asked the board to side with property owners.

A UT architecture graduate who homesteaded in Tellico Plains, she said the county's freedom and low taxes drew her family and asked the board to opt out.

A 36-year licensed builder, he argued unlicensed contractors rip off buyers and said building permits on the county's ~298 homes a year could raise roughly $525,600 for schools without a tax increase; he supported keeping codes.

A new general contractor, he said codes get interpreted unpredictably and inspectors can be obstructive; he urged the opt-out while advising buyers to vet contractors carefully.

He and his wife relocated and are building locally, saying the county's lack of code burden helped draw them and urging the opt-out.

He moved his family here eight years ago for the freedom to build as he wishes and urged the board to preserve that freedom.

An electrical engineer who fled Maryland over building codes, he described inspector discretion as arbitrary and said citizens should be responsible for their own safety choices.