Environmental Rules in Nashville, TN

If you live in Nashville or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Nashville has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Erosion Control

Metro Nashville requires an engineer-prepared grading and drainage plan, reviewed and approved by Water and Sewerage Services, before grading, excavation, or building permits are issued for most property developments.

Key details: Reviewing agency: Dept. of Water and Sewerage Services. Plan preparer: Registered engineer required. Building permit hold: No permit until plan approved. Small-project exemption: Under 10,000 sq ft, no channel change. Penalty basis: T.C.A. § 68-221-1106, per day.

Violations carry an administrative penalty authorized under Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-221-1106, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate violation; Metro Water Services may also assess enforcement costs and seek injunctive relief.

Stormwater Management

Metro Nashville charges a monthly stormwater utility fee on every parcel based on impervious surface area, funding drainage and flood control across the General Services District.

Key details: Fee basis: Impervious surface area, tiered. Fee range: $1.50 to $1,300 monthly. Satellite city exemption: Five satellite cities exempt unless opted in. Enforcing agency: Metro Water Services (MWS). Nonpayment consequence: Property lien, water service shutoff.

Unpaid fees become a lien on the property and MWS can shut off water service using its normal nonpayment procedures, per § 15.64.032(G).

Boat Dock Permits

Metro Nashville's zoning code lists 'boat dock (commercial)' as a permitted use only in downtown, industrial, and select mixed-use districts, requiring one parking space per slip or berth under the citywide land use and parking tables.

Key details: Governing law: Metro Zoning Code, Title 17. Permitted districts: Downtown, industrial, select mixed-use only. Parking, citywide: 1 space per slip or berth. Parking, UZO district: 1 per 5 berths plus storage space. Residential/agricultural districts: Not a permitted use.

Building or operating a boat dock without the required zoning classification is a misdemeanor and draws a $500-per-day civil penalty under §§ 17.40.610-.620; the zoning administrator can triple permit fees if work starts before a permit issues.

Flood Elevation Requirements

Metro Nashville requires new structures in the floodplain to elevate the lowest floor at least four feet above base flood elevation for residential use, one foot for non-residential, under Metropolitan Code of Laws Chapter 15.64.

Key details: Residential lowest floor: 4 ft above BFE. Non-residential lowest floor: 1 ft above BFE. Governing chapter: Metro Code Ch. 15.64. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Water & Sewerage Services. Penalty basis: T.C.A. § 68-221-1106, per day.

Violations of Chapter 15.64 draw an administrative penalty under T.C.A. § 68-221-1106, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate violation, plus possible injunctive relief and cost recovery.

Flood Zones

Metro Nashville bans new structures in the floodway under Metropolitan Code § 15.64.170, and requires floodplain construction to sit at least four feet above the base flood elevation.

Key details: New floodway structures: Prohibited outright. Min. floor elevation (occupied): 4 ft above base flood elevation. Approving agency: Metro Water & Sewerage Services. Cumberland River floodway buffer: Additional 50-ft no-build buffer. Applies to: Metro GSD, not 6 satellite cities.

Building within the floodway without a stormwater management commission exception, or below the required flood protection elevation, is a code violation; each day counts as a separate offense under § 15.64.220, drawing administrative penalties under T.C.A. § 68-221-1106.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Nashville actively enforces its flood zones requirements.

The Bottom Line

Nashville's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Nashville is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Nashville's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.