# Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-101: Part definitions

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-101

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-101
- **Heading:** Part definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 13 / Chapter 21 / Section 13-21-101

## Text

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Dwelling" means any building or structure, or part thereof, used and occupied for human occupation or use or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith; (2) "Governing body" means the council, commission, or board, or other legislative body, charged with governing a municipality; (3) "Municipality" means any city or town; (4) "Owner" means the holder of the title in fee simple and every mortgagee of record; (5) "Parties in interest" means all individuals, associations, corporations and others who have interests of record in a structure and any who are in possession thereof; (6) "Place of public accommodation" means any building or structure in which goods are supplied or services performed, or in which the trade of the general public is solicited; (7) "Public authority" means any housing authority or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the municipality or state relating to health, fire, building regulations, or other activities concerning structures in the municipality; (8) "Public officer" means any officer or officers of a municipality or the executive director or other chief executive officer of any commission or authority established by such municipality or jointly with any other municipality who is authorized by ordinance adopted hereunder to exercise the power prescribed by such ordinances and by this part; and (9) "Structure" means any dwelling or place of public accommodation or vacant building or structure suitable as a dwelling or place of public accommodation. Acts 1939, ch. 152, § 2; C. Supp. 1950, § 3647.30 (Williams, § 3647.43); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 13-1201; Acts 1985, ch. 286, §§ 1, 5; 1986, ch. 706, § 1; 1995, ch. 391, § 1.
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Dwelling" means any building or structure, or part thereof, used and occupied for human occupation or use or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith;
(2) "Governing body" means the council, commission, or board, or other legislative body, charged with governing a municipality;
(3) "Municipality" means any city or town;
(4) "Owner" means the holder of the title in fee simple and every mortgagee of record;
(5) "Parties in interest" means all individuals, associations, corporations and others who have interests of record in a structure and any who are in possession thereof;
(6) "Place of public accommodation" means any building or structure in which goods are supplied or services performed, or in which the trade of the general public is solicited;
(7) "Public authority" means any housing authority or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the municipality or state relating to health, fire, building regulations, or other activities concerning structures in the municipality;
(8) "Public officer" means any officer or officers of a municipality or the executive director or other chief executive officer of any commission or authority established by such municipality or jointly with any other municipality who is authorized by ordinance adopted hereunder to exercise the power prescribed by such ordinances and by this part; and
(9) "Structure" means any dwelling or place of public accommodation or vacant building or structure suitable as a dwelling or place of public accommodation.
Acts 1939, ch. 152, § 2; C. Supp. 1950, § 3647.30 (Williams, § 3647.43); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 13-1201; Acts 1985, ch. 286, §§ 1, 5; 1986, ch. 706, § 1; 1995, ch. 391, § 1.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-101 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-102 Structures unfit for human occupation or use - Power of municipalities to demolish - Program to remedy the unsafe conditions caused by the unfinished structure and the suspended construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-103 Adoption of ordinances - Required provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-104 Conditions rendering structure unfit for human occupation or use](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-105 Service of complaints or orders](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-106 Enjoining enforcement of order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-107 Powers given public officer by ordinance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-108 Estimate of annual expenses and costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-109 Part confers supplementary powers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-110 Violation of order to vacate structure declared unfit for human occupation - Authorizing or facilitating occupancy - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-201 Findings, purpose and policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-201.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-202 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-202.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-203 Adoption of provisions by ordinance - Vacant property review commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-203.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 13-21-204 Acquisition by eminent domain authorized - Litter removal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-204.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T13_C21_S13-21-101. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.