Tennessee Senate Bill SB1448

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Chapter 87 of the Private Acts of 1973; as amended by Chapter 31 of the Private Acts of 2005; and any other acts amendatory thereto, relative to Union County.

Summary

SB1448 is a local private act for Union County that changes how building permit fees are calculated by the County Assessor of Properties. Under the bill, the current fixed fee caps for residential and commercial construction would be replaced with a uniform charge of 50 cents per square foot for all buildings constructed, erected, or reconstructed. The bill also states that no building permit is required, and no fee may be collected, for a shed or barn. The measure amends Chapter 87 of the Private Acts of 1973, as previously amended in 2005, and repeals any conflicting provisions on building permit fees. It is structured as a county-specific change rather than a statewide policy, and it would only take effect if approved by a two-thirds vote of the Union County legislative body. The act becomes effective immediately for the purpose of that local approval process, but otherwise depends on local ratification before it has operative effect.

Impact

If approved by Union County, the bill would alter local law governing building permit fees and the authority of the County Assessor of Properties in Union County. It would replace the existing maximum fee schedule of up to $225 for residential construction and $450 for commercial construction with a square-foot-based fee, and it would exempt sheds and barns from permit requirements and fees. Because it amends a private act, its legal effect is limited to Union County and would supersede conflicting local provisions on the same subject.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available record. Based on the text alone, the bill appears administrative and locally focused, with the main policy change being a revision of the building permit fee structure rather than a broader controversial issue. The absence of recorded legislative discussion makes the overall sentiment difficult to assess beyond the fact that the proposal was drafted as a local option measure requiring county approval.

Contention

The most likely point of contention is the new fee formula itself: shifting from capped flat fees to a per-square-foot charge could raise or lower costs depending on the size and type of construction, which may affect homeowners, builders, and commercial developers differently. Another possible issue is the exemption for sheds and barns, which narrows the permit and fee base and could be viewed as either a practical exemption for minor structures or a revenue and enforcement limitation. Because the bill requires a two-thirds vote of the Union County legislative body, local officials would be the key decision-makers on whether the change is acceptable.