Dear Reader:
The following document was created from the MTAS electronic library known as MORe (www.mtas.tennessee.edu/more). This online library is maintained daily by MTAS staff and seeks to represent the most current information regarding issues relative to Tennessee municipal government.
We hope this information will be useful to you; reference to it will assist you with many of the questions that will arise in your tenure with municipal government. However, the Tennessee Code Annotated and other relevant laws or regulations should always be consulted before any action is taken based upon the contents of this document.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments regarding this information or any other MORe material.
Sincerely,
The University of Tennessee
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
1610 University Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921-6741
865-974-0411 phone
865-974-0423 fax
www.mtas.tennessee.edu
If a city decides to adopt a specific amendment, T.C.A. provides two alternate methods. The first method is straightforward. The governing body of the city passes an ordinance adopting the published amendments by reference. [16] As with complete building codes adopted by reference, amendments to building codes must be on file in the recorder's office at least 15 days before the ordinance incorporating them by reference is adopted. [17] If the ordinance adopting the building code is in the city's municipal code, the ordinance adopting the amendment should be written to amend the municipal code section and not the original ordinance. See Sample 4, "Ordinance incorporating amendments to building codes—amending a municipal code." [1] If the ordinance adopting the building code is not in a municipal code, the ordinance should be written to amend the ordinance that adopted the building code. See Sample 5, "Ordinance incorporating amendments to building codes—amending an existing ordinance." [2]
[16] T.C.A. § 6-54-503.
[17] T.C.A. § 6-54-503(b).
Links:
[1] https://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/sample-ordinance-incorporating-amendments-municipal-code
[2] https://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/reference/sample-ordinance-incorporating-amendments-ordinance
DISCLAIMER: The letters and publications written by the MTAS consultants were written based upon the law at the time and/or a specific sets of facts. The laws referenced in the letters and publications may have changed and/or the technical advice provided may not be applicable to your city or circumstances. Always consult with your city attorney or an MTAS consultant before taking any action based on information contained in this website.
![]() |