Tennessee Code 6-54-1008 – Citations for violations – Written notice – Signature of violator – Service on absentee property owners – Deadline for transmission of citations
(a) Upon the issuance of a citation for violation of a municipal ordinance referenced in the municipality’s administrative hearing ordinance, the issuing officer shall provide written notice of:
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 6-54-1008
Officer: means the mayor, aldermen, city attorney and city judge. See Tennessee Code 6-1-101
signed: includes a mark, the name being written near the mark and witnessed, or any other symbol or methodology executed or adopted by a party with intention to authenticate a writing or record, regardless of being witnessed. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(1) A short and plain statement of the matters asserted. If the issuing officer is unable to state the matters in detail at the time the citation is served, the initial notice may be limited to a statement of the issues involved and the ordinance violations alleged. Thereafter, upon timely, written application a more definite and detailed statement shall be furnished ten (10) business days prior to the time set for the hearing;(2) A short and plain description of the municipality’s administrative hearing process including references to state and local statutory authority;(3) Contact information for the municipality’s administrative hearing office; and(4) Time frame in which the hearing officer will review the citation and determine the fine and remedial period, if any.(b) Citations issued for violations of ordinances referenced in the municipality’s administrative hearing ordinance shall be signed by the alleged violator at the time of issuance. If an alleged violator refuses to sign, the issuing officer shall note the refusal and attest to the alleged violator’s receipt of the citation. An alleged violator’s signature on a citation is not admission of guilt.(c) Citations issued upon absentee property owners may be served via certified mail sent to the last known address of the recorded owner of the property.(d) Citations issued for violations of ordinances referenced in the municipality’s administrative hearing ordinance shall be transmitted to an administrative hearing officer within two (2) business days of issuance.
