Council advances code changes: municipal‑court fee rise, property‑maintenance authority and updated property‑maintenance code

The Lebanon City Council on July 1 advanced several code and enforcement measures on first reading, including a state‑required increase to municipal court costs, a new local property‑maintenance chapter adopting state slum‑clearance authority and an update to the city’s international property‑maintenance code.

Assistant City Attorney Steven Chambers said a new state law effective July 1 requires municipalities to collect an additional $2 in municipal court costs that the state will use to fund municipal clerk training. Chambers and councilors said the change raises the local court cost from $85 to $87.

The council also approved on first reading an amendment to the municipal code to add a chapter authorizing property‑maintenance enforcement that the police department requested under the Tennessee Slum Clearance Act. Chambers said the change will “streamline the ability of the city to tear down dilapidated buildings.” Council members asked for clarification about fines and enforcement authority. The chief said city court is limited by state law to a $50 maximum fine per day and that administrative/trade hearing officers can assess penalties up to $500 in other venues.

Separately, the council advanced adoption of the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code to replace the city’s 2018 version. Councilors clarified there is no separate $50 penalty tied to the code change beyond the court‑cost increase the state now requires.

All three items advanced on first reading and were recorded as approved to move forward; councilors instructed staff to implement the required fee collection and to proceed with code updates and enforcement procedures.