It's Time to Abolish Pending Ordinance Doctrine

Imagine if every bill that was introduced by Congress was enforced without ever having to take a vote on it. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, nothing sounds so crazy or so un-American as enforcing laws that haven’t been passed. Yet shockingly this is possible right here in Tennessee.

Several years ago, the courts created what’s called the “pending ordinance doctrine” for zoning and other property use changes in local communities. Nashville in particular has used the pending ordinance doctrine to enforce laws that don’t even have the votes to pass the Metro Council. Numerous laws have been enforced for years having never even been voted on, much less passed. 

Not only is this an affront to our representative form of government, but it also tramples on the property rights of people across our state. 

Email your lawmakers to show your support for protecting property rights and make governments vote on the laws they want to enforce!