Tennessee law

Municipal Laws in Tennessee.

Tennessee local government operates under the 1870 Constitution (as amended) and Tennessee Code. Tennessee has 95 counties and numerous municipalities. Davidson County is the only county with a consolidated city-county Metropolitan Government (Nashville, consolidated 1963). Tennessee has two other consolidated governments (Hartsville/Trousdale, Lynchburg/Moore). The Tennessee Open Meetings Act (Tenn. Code § 8-44-101 et seq.) and Public Records Act (Tenn. Code § 10-7-503 et seq.) govern transparency. Sovereign immunity is partially waived under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA, Tenn. Code § 29-20-101 et seq.) with damages caps.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Key Tennessee Statutes

Metropolitan Government (Davidson County/Nashville)Tenn. Code § 7-1-101 et seq.

Davidson County operates as the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (consolidated 1963) — the first modern U.S. city-county consolidation. Nashville/Davidson Metro has a Metropolitan Council and a Metropolitan Mayor.

Municipal GovernmentTenn. Code Title 6

Governs powers and organization of Tennessee cities and towns. Various charter forms available (mayor-council, city manager-commission, etc.).

Open Meetings ActTenn. Code § 8-44-101 et seq.

Requires public meetings to be open with advance notice. Executive sessions permitted for specific purposes.

Public Records ActTenn. Code § 10-7-503 et seq.

Public records are generally disclosable. Agency must respond within 7 business days.

Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA)Tenn. Code § 29-20-101 et seq.

Limited waiver of sovereign immunity. Damages caps: $300,000 per person, $700,000 per occurrence (non-property damage). Specific exceptions retain immunity.

State law

Official Sources

Tennessee Code TN County Services Association

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.

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Municipal Laws in Tennessee.

Key Tennessee Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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