Environment and Conservation, Department of

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was withdrawn on February 3, 2026, and is no longer active.

Subdivision Approval Changes

This act changes the approval process for proposed subdivisions in Tennessee, requiring local planning commission approval before state department review.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the order of subdivision plan approvals so that they must first be reviewed and approved by a local planning commission or similar agency.
• Requires the Department of Environment and Conservation to update its website to allow people to upload proof of local approval for their subdivision plans.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who want to create subdivisions in Tennessee
• Local planning commissions and similar agencies that approve subdivision plans
• The Department of Environment and Conservation

Terms To Know

Subdivision

A piece of land divided into smaller lots for sale or development.

Local planning commission

An agency that reviews and approves plans for new developments in a city or county.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill was withdrawn, so it is not currently active.
• It only applies to permit applications approved after July 1, 2026.

Official Summary Text

Present law prohibits a
proposed subdivision
from
be
ing
approved by a local planning commission or other agency authorized to approve subdivisions un
less
the plans for
the
subdivision have been approved by the commissioner
of environment and conservation ("commissioner"). This bill switches who is to approve a proposed subdivision first.

This bill prohibits the
commissioner
from
approv
ing
a proposed subdivision until the plans for such subdivision have been approved by a local planning commission or other agency authorized to approve subdivisions.

The department
of environment and conservation must
update its website to allow persons whose proposed subdivision plans have been approved by a local planning commission or other agency authorized to approve subdivisions to upload official documentation from such local entities to evidence thei
r approval of such plans.

This bill applies to all permit applications approved by local planning commissions or other agencies authorized to approve subdivision plans after July 1, 2026.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 1928
By Bricken

SENATE BILL 1892
By Bowling
SB1892
011074
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5;
Title 6; Title 7; Title 13 and Title 68, Chapter 221,
relative to permits.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-221-407, is amended by deleting
the section and substituting:
(a) The commissioner shall not approve a proposed subdivision until the plans
for such subdivision have been approved by a local planning commission or other
agency authorized to approve subdivisions.
(b) The department shall update its website to allow persons whose proposed
subdivision plans have been approved by a local planning commission or other agency
authorized to approve subdivisions to upload official documentation from such local
entities to evidence their approval of such plans.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to all permit applications approved by local planning commissions or other agencies
authorized to approve subdivision plans after such date.