State Specific Policy Resources: Tennessee

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Materials Theft

Scrap Yard / Junk Yard Zoning

  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 54 Highways, Bridges and Ferries
    • Chapter 17 Scenic Roadways
      • Part 1 Scenic Highway System Act of 1971
        • § 54-17-108. Advertising or junkyards prohibited on scenic highways -- Authority of commissioner to acquire.
        • § 54-17-110. Removal or abatement of advertising structures and junkyards.
      • Part 2 Tennessee Parkway System Act
        • § 54-17-206. Advertising structures, junkyards, and trash dumping -- Directional signs.
    • Chapter 20 Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards
      • Part 1 Junkyard Control Act of 1967; § 54-20-101 to § 54-20-124
      • Part 2 Automobile Graveyards; § 54-20-201 to § 54-20-205

State Superfund (SREA Equivalent)

  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 68, Environmental Protection, Ch. 212, Parts 2 through 4; § 68-212-201 to § 68-212-407
    • § 68-212-202.(a)(4)(E)(iii). "Liable party" does not include a person who is excluded from liability under the Superfund Recycling Equity Act, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 9627.

Stormwater Permitting

Tire / Rubber

  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 6, City Manager-Commission Charter, Ch. 21, Part 7, § 6-21-703. Emergency powers. (ISRI note: fire department, includes inspection for preplanning of all buildings where combustible material, including rubber, has accumulated or is likely to accumulate)
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 47, Ch. 25, Part 6, § 47-25-602. Part definitions. (ISRI note: "Petroleum or related products" includes tires)
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 55 Motor and Other Vehicles
    • Ch. 1, § 55-1-110. "Metal tire", "pneumatic tire" and "solid tire" defined.
    • Ch. 8, Part 1, § 55-8-101. Chapter and part definitions.
    • Ch. 9 Equipment -- Lighting Regulations
      • Part 1, § 55-9-106. Studded tires.
      • Part 2, § 55-9-217. New tires required on new trailers -- Waiver -- Violations. (ISRI note: conditions under which a new trailer can be sold with used tires)
    • Ch. 14 Dealers in Secondhand Automobile Tires and Accessories; § 55-14-101 to § 55-14-107
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 67, Ch. 4, Part 16 Pre-Disposal Fee; § 67-4-1601 to § 67-4-1612 (ISRI note: tire fee)
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 68 Health, Safety and Environmental Protection
    • Safety
      • Ch. 101, § 68-101-103. Parking garages and bus terminals. (ISRI note: states that a public storage garage shall not be used to vulcanize tires)
      • Ch. 102, Part 1, § 68-102-113. Regulations of state fire marshal -- Subjects covered -- Penalties. (ISRI note: includes automobile tire rebuilding plants)
    • Environmental Protection, Ch. 211 Solid Waste Disposal
      • Part 3 Tire Environmental Act; § 68-211-301 to § 68-211-305
      • Part 8 Solid Waste Management Act of 1991
        • § 68-211-802. Part definitions.
        • § 68-211-831. Investigation and clean-up of unpermitted waste tire disposal sites and other unpermitted solid waste disposal sites.
        • § 68-211-866. Whole waste tires -- Lead-acid batteries -- Used oil -- When acceptance for disposal prohibited -- Storage sites.
        • § 68-211-867. Waste tire disposal.

Vehicle Detitling / Dismantling

  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 7, Ch. 51, Part 7, § 7-51-701. Automobile graveyards or junkyards -- Licensing and control.
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 39, Ch. 17, Part 14 Metals Recycling; § 39-17-1401 to § 39-17-1404
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 55 Motor and Other Vehicles
    • Chapter 3 Certificates of Title
      • Part 1, § 55-3-120 Transfers to or from dealers or insurance companies -- Salvage title, flood title, or nonrepairable vehicle certificate.
      • Part 2 Wrecked, Damaged, Dismantled or Rebuilt Motor Vehicles
        • § 55-3-201. Owner dismantling or wrecking vehicle to return evidences of title -- Rebuilt motor vehicles -- Application for new certificate of title.
        • 55-3-202. Records of motor vehicle dismantler and recycler or scrap metal processor -- Requirements -- Violations and penalties.
        • § 55-3-211. Part definitions. ("nonrepairable vehicle", "nonrepairable vehicle certificate", "salvage title", "salvage vehicle", "scrap metal processor")
        • § 55-3-212. Disclosure of motor vehicle's previous titling as "salvage," etc. -- Written notice to buyer.
    • Ch. 4, Part 1, § 55-4-124. Registration of vehicles hauling certain materials. (ISRI Note: includes ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal)
    • Chapter 5 Anti-Theft Provisions
      • Part 1 Violations of Title and Registration Law
        • § 55-5-101. Stolen and recovered motor vehicles -- Duties of law enforcement officers -- Responsibilities attaching to wrecker, salvage and garage businesses -- Penalties.
        • § 55-5-103. Rules and forms for theft or embezzlement reports -- Duties of commissioner and department of safety and department of revenue.
        • § 55-5-108. Records to be kept -- Inspections -- Contraband -- Seizure of stolen property -- Reclamation -- Forfeiture. (as amended by 2019 Tennessee SB 1491)
        • § 55-5-119. Evidences of registration to be returned by owner upon cancellation, suspension or revocation.
        • § 55-5-120. Penalty for violations.
        • § 55-5-121. Violation -- Class E felony.
        • § 55-5-125. Abandoned and junked vehicle laws unaffected.
        • § 55-5-127. Junked or salvaged motor vehicles -- Sale or transfer of certificates of title, identification plates or license plates -- Penalties.
      • Part 2 Motor Vehicle Chop Shop Act of 2000; § 55-5-201 to § 55-5-206
    • Chapter 14 Dealers in Secondhand Automobile Tires and Accessories; § 55-14-101 to § 55-14-107
    • Chapter 16 Unclaimed or Abandoned Vehicles
      • § 55-16-103. Definitions.
      • § 55-16-106. Auction of abandoned, immobile or unattended motor vehicles.
      • § 55-16-108. Disposal to demolishers.
      • § 55-16-109. Duties of demolishers.
    • Chapter 17, Part 1 Motor Vehicle Sales Licenses (ISRI Note: includes automotive dismantlers and recyclers)
      • § 55-17-102. Part definitions.
      • § 55-17-109. Activities for which license required -- Exception.
      • § 55-17-110. License for each location and franchise -- Exception -- Employment of salesperson.
      • § 55-17-111. Application for license -- Contents -- Bond -- Report of changes.
      • § 55-17-112. License fees -- Interest -- Penalty.
      • § 55-17-113. Location of business to be specified on license -- Changes requiring new license -- Possession and display of license -- Name to appear on license.
      • § 55-17-114. Grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of license.
      • § 55-17-116. Judicial review.
      • § 55-17-117. Violations -- Civil and criminal penalties -- Injunctions.
      • § 55-17-118. Provisions cumulative.
      • § 55-17-120. Exception to licensing requirements.
      • § 55-17-122. Provisions governing hearings and judicial review.
      • § 55-17-126. Agreement to and compliance with this part.
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 56, Ch. 49, § 56-49-110. Payment in event of loss.
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 62, Ch. 9 Scrap Metal Dealers; § 62-9-101 to § 62-9-114 (ISRI Note: includes any ferrous or nonferrous, specifically includes and has special rules for catalytic converters)
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 69, Ch. 9, Part 2, § 69-9-209. Rules and regulations. (ISRI Note: gives authority to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission to provide regulations to govern abandoned and salvaged vessels)

Mercury Switch Removal

  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 68, Ch. 211, Part 2 Mercury Product Disposal Control Act; § 68-211-201 to § 68-211-207

Abandoned Vehicles

  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 55 Motor and Other Vehicles
    • Ch. 5, § 55-5-125. Abandoned and junked vehicle laws unaffected.
    • Chapter 16 Unclaimed or Abandoned Vehicles
      • § 55-16-103. Definitions.
      • § 55-16-106. Auction of abandoned, immobile or unattended motor vehicles.
      • § 55-16-108. Disposal to demolishers.
      • § 55-16-109. Duties of demolishers.
  • Tenn. Code Ann. Title 69, Ch. 9, Part 2, § 69-9-209. Rules and regulations. (ISRI Note: gives authority to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission to provide regulations to govern abandoned and salvaged vessels)

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Justin Short
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JShort@isri.org
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Abby Blocker
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(202) 662-8511