Environmental Rules in Knox County, TN (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Knox County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Knox County's engineering and public works department enforces the Knox County Stormwater Management Ordinance, Sec. 26-151 et seq., across the entire unincorporated county. Violators face civil penalties of $250.00 to $5,000.00 per day of violation under Sec. 26-157, on top of stop-work orders, withheld permits and required corrective action, with an appeal path through the board of zoning appeals.
Stormwater Management Rules in Knox County, TN
Some RestrictionsKnox County Code §§ 26-151, 26-157
This article shall be cited as the Knox County Stormwater Management Ordinance and shall replace in its entirety Ordinance No. O-07-12-101, adopted January 28th 2008, as amended... This article shall apply to all areas located within the jurisdiction of the county. (Sec. 26-151) ... Any person who violates the provisions of this article shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250....
Erosion Control
Any construction or land-disturbing activity in unincorporated Knox County, even work exempt from a stormwater plan, must run erosion prevention and sediment control under Sec. 26-251 to stop off-site sedimentation. Sec. 26-252 ties the required best management practices to the state's NPDES construction general permit and the county's own stormwater manual, whichever standard is stricter.
Erosion and Sediment Control in Knox County, TN
Some RestrictionsKnox County Code §§ 26-251, 26-252
In keeping with [this] section, adequate erosion prevention and sediment control measures shall be employed consistent with guidance materials referenced herein for all land disturbing activities, including those exempted in section 26-171 to minimize erosion and prevent off-site sedimentation. Land disturbing or construction activities that do not employ erosion prevention and sediment control...
Flood Zones
Knox County requires a development permit from the county Engineering Department before any construction, fill or substantial improvement in a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area, under Code Section 34-6. New or substantially improved residential and non-residential buildings must have their lowest floor, including the basement, elevated or floodproofed at least one foot above the base flood elevation under Section 34-52, and a violation is a misdemeanor under Section 34-11.
Floodplain Development Permit Rules in Knox County
Some RestrictionsKnox County Code §§ 34-6, 34-52
Sec. 34-6. - Requirement for development permit. A development permit shall be required in conformity with this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activity. ... Sec. 34-52. - Specific standards. ... (1)Residential construction. Where base flood elevation data is available, new construction or substantial improvement of any residential building (or manufactured home) shall have...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Knox County requires new construction and substantial improvements in mapped flood-hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation where BFE data exists, or at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade in unnumbered A zones without BFE data. The Engineering Department administers permits under Sec. 34-52.
Base Flood Elevation Freeboard in Knox County
Some RestrictionsKnox County Code § 34-52(1)
(1)Residential construction. Where base flood elevation data is available, new construction or substantial improvement of any residential building (or manufactured home) shall have all utilities [including electrical (utility meters not included), heating, ductwork, ventilating, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment] and the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than one foot a...
Environmental Rules by City in Knox County
1 cities in Knox County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Knox County ordinances
See every category we cover for Knox County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Knox County Ordinance Hub →