Printer-friendly version
PDF versionSECTION 1. The legislative body of Tipton County may designate a division of the county's general sessions court as the Environmental Court.
SECTION 2. In making such designation, the judge of the Environmental Court is granted the additional power to issue injunctions, both mandatory and prohibitory, as provided in
Rule 65 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure. The judge may order any defendant found guilty of violating any county ordinance relating to health, housing, fire, land subdivision, building or zoning, to correct such violation at the defendant's own expense. In a case involving the alleged violation of any ordinance relating to health, housing, fire, land subdivision, building or zoning, the judge may appoint a master to aid the court. Rule 53 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure shall govern the appointment, power, and duty of the master.
SECTION 3. The judge of the Environmental Court shall also have the jurisdiction to try
and dispose of violations of ordinances enacted by municipalities within Tipton County relating to health, housing, fire, land subdivision, building, or zoning.
SECTION 4. The judge may also punish any person for contempt who, having been ordered to correct a violation of any county or municipal ordinance relating to health, housing, fire, land subdivision, building or zoning, willfully fails to obey such order within the designated
day and at the designated time as given by such court order. The punishment for contempt in each such case is limited to a monetary penalty not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) and imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days for each such violation.
SECTION 5. If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end the
provisions of this act are declared to be severable.
SECTION 6. This act shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the legislative body of Tipton County. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the legislative body and certified to the secretary of state.
SECTION 7. For the purpose of approving or rejecting the provisions of this act, it shall be effective upon becoming a law, the public welfare· requiring it. For all other purposes, it shall become effective as provided in Section 6.
Passed: April 16, 2026.