Environmental Rules in Kingsport, TN (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Kingsport, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, Article III of Chapter 38 regulates stormwater under the City's T.C.A. § 68-221-1105 powers. Developed-site discharge cannot exceed pre-development discharge for the two year through 100 year design storms, no watercourse can be obstructed, and drainage cannot adversely impact adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. Civil penalties run from $50.00 to $5,000.00 per day.
Kingsport Stormwater and Drainage Management Rules
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code §§ 38-169, 38-173
c.Post-development versus pre-development hydrologic/hydraulic modeling that shows attenuation of developed site runoff. Developed discharge from a site shall be less than or equal to pre-development discharge for the two year through 100 year design storms; ... (a)Private drainage systems, where drainage originates in its entirety on private property and terminates on same said property, shall...
Erosion Control
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, no owner can start land disturbing activity of one acre or more without a land disturbing permit from the building official, issued only after the director approves a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) and a NOC. Sites under one acre that belong to a larger common plan of development count, and off-site sedimentation to waters of the state is itself a violation.
Kingsport Erosion and Sediment Control Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code § 38-139
(a)Land disturbing activity or construction that in any way causes off-site sedimentation or sediment discharges to waters of the state or that causes the city to be in violation of its NPDES general permit for discharges from small municipal separate storm sewer systems, or its replacement, shall be a violation of this article.(b)Unless exempted by section 38-170 no owner of any property withi...
Flood Zones
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, Division 5 of Chapter 114 controls building and filling in FEMA-mapped special flood hazard areas. Section 114-257 adopts the flood insurance study and FIRM panels by reference, Section 114-258 requires a development permit before any development activity begins, and the city building official administers the division for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
Kingsport Floodplain Zoning and Flood Hazard Areas
Significant RestrictionsKingsport Code § 114-257
The areas of special flood hazard identified on the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, as identified by FEMA, and in its flood insurance study (FIS) and flood insurance rate map (FIRM), community panel number(s) 47073C0140D and 47073C0285D dated July 3, 2006, Panel Number(s) 47163C0030D, 47163C0035D, 47163C0040D, 47163C0045D, 47163C0055D, 47163C0060D, 47163C0065D, 47163C0070D, 47163C0210D, 47163C023...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New construction and substantial improvements in a Kingsport special flood hazard area must put the lowest floor, including a basement, no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation in AE zones under § 114-268. Where FEMA has published no base flood elevation, the floor goes at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade. Non-residential buildings can floodproof instead of elevating.
Kingsport Base Flood Elevation and Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code § 114-268
(1)Residential structures. In AE zones where base flood elevation data is available, new construction and substantial improvement of any residential building (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to no lower than one foot above the base flood elevation. ... Within approximate A zones where base flood elevations have not been established and where alter...
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