Private Acts of 1969 Chapter 79

SECTION 1.  That Hamilton County is authorized to incorporate by reference the provisions of building, electrical, plumbing and gas codes prepared by technical trade associations and model code organizations, to provide for their administration and penalties for their violation and to define the areas where such county codes will be applicable.

SECTION 2.  Definitions.  That as used in this Act, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

(a)  Governing body:  The Hamilton County Council.

(b) Code:  Any published compilation of rules which have been prepared by technical trade associations or model code organizations regulating building construction, electrical wiring, plumbing and gas installation.

SECTION 3.  Adoption and Amendment of Code Reference.  That the governing body may adopt or repeal a resolution which incorporates by reference the provisions of any code or portions of any code, or any amendment thereof, properly identified as to date and source, without setting forth the provisions of such code in full.  At least three copies of such code, portion, or amendment which is incorporated by reference shall be filed in the office of the County Court Clerk and there kept for public use, inspection and examination.  The filing requirements herein prescribed shall not be deemed to be complied with unless the required copies of such code, portion, or amendment are filed with the Clerk for a period of ninety days before the adoption of the resolution which incorporates such code, portion, or amendment by reference.  No resolution incorporated a code, portion or amendment by reference shall be effective until published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county.

(a)  The governing body may from time to time set and establish an inspection fee commensurate with the cost of inspection to determine whether or not the codes are being followed, such fee to be paid by the owner of the property to Hamilton County, Tennessee.

SECTION 4.  Administration.  That the governing body may also incorporate by reference the administrative provisions of any code, or may include in the adopting resolution any suggested administrative provisions found in a code.  Should a code not contain administrative provisions, the administrative provisions of another code may be adopted by reference, or may be adopted and included in the adopting resolution.  The powers and duties of enforcing the provisions of any code incorporated by reference may be conferred upon such officials within the existing framework of the county government as the governing body may determine.

SECTION 5.  Enforcement.  That the county attorney or any official vested with the powers of enforcing the provisions of any code incorporated by reference may, in addition to any other remedies provided by law, institute injunction to prevent the violation of any provision of such code.

SECTION 6.  Penalties.  That the authority of this Act shall not extend to the incorporation by reference of any penalty clause contained in a code.  Any person, firm or corporation or agent who shall violate a provision of any code incorporated by reference or fail to comply therewith or with any of the provisions thereof, or violate a detailed statement or plans submitted and approved thereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.  Each such person, firm or corporation or agent shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any of the provisions of a code is committed or continued, and upon conviction for any such violation shall be punished by a fine of not more than Fifty Dollars.

SECTION 7.  Applicability.  That the provisions of this act shall apply only to the unincorporated area of Hamilton County.

SECTION 8.  Validity.  That if any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Act is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this Act.

SECTION 9.  That this Act shall have no effect unless the same shall have been approved by a two-thirds vote of the County Council of Hamilton County, Tennessee.  The County Judge of Hamilton County shall certify its approval or non-approval to the Secretary of State.

SECTION 10.  That this Act shall be effective from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it, but the provisions thereof shall not become operative until validated as provided in Section 9 herein.

Passed:  April 15, 1969.