The Administrative Hearing Officer Program provides municipalities with an efficient process for addressing building and property maintenance code violations. Under Tennessee law, Administrative Hearing Officers have the authority to hear cases involving violations of locally adopted building, residential, plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical, energy, and property maintenance codes, as well as other related municipal ordinances. For more information, view the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.).
For violations occurring on residential property, the Administrative Hearing Officer may impose fines of up to $500 per violation. Residential property is defined as a single family dwelling that serves as the property owner’s primary residence, along with the land on which it is located.
For violations occurring on non residential property, the Administrative Hearing Officer may impose fines of up to $500 per violation, per day. Non residential property includes all real property, structures, buildings, and dwellings that do not meet the definition of residential property.
Before any fine is assessed, the Administrative Hearing Officer establishes a reasonable period for the property owner to correct the violation. This compliance period must generally be between 10 and 120 calendar days, unless the violation presents an imminent threat to the health, safety, or welfare of people or nearby property, in which case a shorter compliance period may be ordered.
