Our mission in the Fire Marshal's Office / Inspections / Fire Prevention Bureau is to ensure that Knoxville is a safe environment for all who live, work, or visit. We achieve this by enforcing the city's fire codes and standards, providing a reasonable level of safety for life and property. This is done through life safety inspections of both existing structures and new construction. We believe our commitment to safety is vital for the community! For any inquiries, you may contact us at [email protected] or call 865-633-0400.


Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, Assistant Chief Sonny Partin, the Fire Prevention Bureau performs the following services:

Beginning Nov. 1st 2025 the building dept reviews and inspects all new construction from the 2024 IFC for building permits that are submitted after this date. All shop drawings will be reviewed by the building dept for building permits submitted after Nov. 1st. All building permit projects submitted before Nov. 1st will be reviewed by the Fire Marshals Office including shop drawings, these projects will be also inspected by the Fire Marshals Office to be signed off on. For building permit projects submitted after Nov. 1st the Fire Marshals Office will still be involved in the project and signing off on the C.O. but will not be doing the reviews as before.

Click on the link below to start permitting process:
Plans Review & Inspections

• Permit and inspect all flammable and combustible storage tanks (Class I, II, or III) greater than 60 gallons - Including aboveground storage tanks, temporary tanks, underground storage tanks, and liquefied petroleum gas tanks 

• Permit and monitor pyrotechnic displays

• Enforce all state and local codes involving fire safety and prevention

• Inspect and monitor special events for cooking, tents and large public gatherings

• Provide an on-call fire inspector for emergency situations 


Fire Hazard Complaints

Contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 865-633-0400 to provide a complaint about possible fire hazards.

Please have the address of the property and name of business, if applicable, available when you call the office.

All complaints are investigated by a fire inspector.