2018 Tennessee Code
Title 13 - Public Planning and Housing
Chapter 21 - Slum Clearance and Redevelopment
Part 3 - Residential Rental Inspections
§ 13-21-309. Powers of public officer.
- The residential rental inspection ordinance adopted by the governing body of the municipality may authorize the public officer to exercise such powers as may be necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this part, including the power to:
(1) Investigate conditions in the municipality, in order to determine which residential rental dwelling units in the municipality are deteriorated or in the process of deteriorating;
(2) Administer oaths, affirmations, examine witnesses, issue subpoenas and receive evidence;
(3) Enter upon the premises for the purpose of making examinations and inspections; provided, that the public officer may enter inside the dwelling unit only with the consent of a person in possession, with a validly issued search warrant, or in the event of an emergency presenting an immediate threat to the health, safety, and welfare of a person in possession. Entry shall comply in all respects with the fourth amendment to the Constitution of the United States as well as article I, § 7, of the Constitution of Tennessee. Entry shall be made in such manner as to cause the least possible inconvenience to a person in possession;
(4) Appoint and fix the duties of any officers, agents and employees that the public officer deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the residential rental inspection ordinance; and
(5) Delegate any of the public officer's functions and powers under the residential rental inspection ordinance to any officers and agents as the public officer may designate.
