Tennessee § 7-51-401 - Extension of utility services.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-51-401 — Extension of utility services., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 7-51-401. Extension of utility services.
Except as provided in § 7-82-302, each county, utility district, municipality or other public agency conducting any utility service specifically including waterworks, water plants and water distribution systems and sewage collection and treatment systems is authorized to extend such services beyond the boundaries of such county, utility district, municipality or public agency to customers desiring such service. Any such county, utility district, municipality or public utility agency shall establish proper charges for the services so rendered so that any such outside service is self-supporting. No such county, utility district, municipality or public utility agency shall extend its services into sections of roads or streets already occupied by other public agencies rendering the same service, so long as such other public agency continues to render such service. Acts 1949, ch. 23, §§ 1-3; C. Supp. 1950, § 3695.47 (Williams, §§ 3695.45-3695.47); Acts 1959, ch. 166, § 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 6-604. Cross-References. Contracts between municipalities, title 7, ch. 35, part 3. Cooperative agreements with counties, § 5-1-113 . Extension of utility service beyond municipal limits authorized, § 7-34-104 . Extension of water and sewer service beyond corporate limits, § 7-35-401 . Powers of municipalities, § 7-52-103 . Attorney General Opinions. Flat rate billing for sewer service outside municipal boundaries, OAG 98-0108, 1998 Tenn. AG LEXIS 108 (6/11/98). A town is not authorized to extend sewer service into areas outside its boundaries that are already being served by another town's system, OAG 01-125, 2001 Tenn. AG LEXIS 116 (8/7/01). Domestic nonprofit water cooperative merging with or transferring assets to municipality, OAG 06-176, 2006 Tenn. AG LEXIS 196 (12/19/06), 2006 Tenn. AG LEXIS 196.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 7-51-401
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-51-401 cover?
Section 7-51-401 ("Extension of utility services.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 7-51-401?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-51-401" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 7-51-401 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.