Tenn. Code § 68-121-111
This chapter shall not have the effect of replacing any municipal law or ordinance in municipalities having regulations controlling the design, construction, location, installation, inspection and operation of elevators, dumbwaiters or escalators where such local laws, ordinances or regulations are in substantial conformity with the commonly accepted standards of safety concerning the design, construction, location, installation, inspection and operation of elevators, dumbwaiters or escalators and in substantial conformity with the published standards of the American Standard Safety Code for Elevators, Dumbwaiters and Escalators, and nothing in this chapter shall be construed as preventing the local officials or boards of such municipalities from the exclusive right to regulate or enforce all such local laws, ordinances or regulations now in force or hereafter enacted as may comply with the standards above defined, and no provision of this chapter shall be construed as permitting the erection of elevators, dumbwaiters or escalators without first obtaining a building or like permit from the proper municipal authorities in compliance with local laws and ordinances provided therefor.
T.C.A. § 68-121-111