State Specific Policy Resources: Tennessee

Materials Theft

• Metal Scrap Law
• Tenn. Code Ann. Title 62, Ch. 9 Scrap Metal Dealers; § 62-9-101 to § 62-9-116 (as amended by 2021 TN SB 1612, effective 07/01/21, and 2021 TN SB 771, effective 10/01/21)
• Tenn. Code Ann. Title 39, Ch. 17, Part 14 Metals Recycling; § 39-17-1401 to § 39-17-1404
• Tenn. Code Ann. Title 55, Ch. 4, Part 1, § 55-4-124. Registration of vehicles hauling certain materials.
• ISRI Summary of Tennessee Metal Scrap Statute (July 30, 2021)

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

• Tennessee DEC - NPDES Industrial Stormwater General Permit Information
• Permit Number TNR050000 - Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities (opens a PDF download)
  Issued: 06/27/22; Effective: 07/01/22; Expires:05/30/25
• Sector M - Automobile Salvage Yards
• Sector N - Scrap Recycling and Waste Recycling Facilities
• Notice of Intent for Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activities (opens a PDF download)

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)