On April 3, 2025, Governor Bill Lee signed Public Chapter No. 140 into law. This Act amended Titles 5, 6 and 7 of the Tennessee Code by imposing new requirements related to development related fees assessed by local governments. The purpose of this new law is to ensure transparency, accountability and consistency in how Tennessee’s counties, cities and metropolitan governments assess and document development-related fees.

This policy, authored by Center for Local Planning Executive Director Josh Suddath, is a tool to help local governments navigate the requirements in Public Chapter 140.

>> Policy Guide for Local Governments: Compliance with Public Chapter No. 140: Documentation and Justification of Development Fees