Environmental Rules in Rutherford County, TN (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New development in unincorporated Rutherford County must hold post-development runoff to pre-development rates for storms up to a 50-year event, per Subdivision Regulations Article III Section H. Drainage systems are sized to a 25-year design storm, detention ponds must handle a 50-year event with a 100-year emergency spillway, and every ditch must run at least 18 inches deep.
Stormwater Design Standards in Rutherford County, TN
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Subdivision Regulations, Article III § H.1 (Stormwater Design, Quantity Design Requirements)
The post-development rate of runoff for a development shall not exceed the pre-development runoff rate for the 2, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 50-year storm events. ... The design of the stormwater drainage system shall be based on a storm frequency of 25-year event. ... Retention / Detention areas shall be designed with sufficient hydraulic capacity for a 50-year storm event. The emergency spillover mus...
Erosion Control
Construction plans for any new subdivision in unincorporated Rutherford County must include a grading, drainage and erosion and sediment control plan reviewed by the County Engineer before construction starts, per Subdivision Regulations Article II Section H.4. Temporary controls go on a separate sheet, and slopes of 2:1 or steeper need rip rap, sod, or an engineer-approved alternative.
Erosion and Sediment Control Plans in Rutherford County, TN
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Subdivision Regulations, Article II § H.4 (Grading, Drainage and Erosion and Sediment Control Plans), items p-q
p. Temporary erosion and sediment control measures to be implemented during construction shall be shown on a separate sheet. q. Final stabilization measures proposed for all disturbed areas on the property. Areas with slopes 2:1 or greater shall be stabilized with rip rap, sod or by other methods approved by the County Engineer. Show stabilization for each ditch.
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Rutherford County, a development permit is required before any grading, filling, or construction begins in a Special Flood Hazard Area. New structures must be elevated to a Base Flood Elevation plus freeboard set by county ordinance, and violations are prosecuted as misdemeanors with daily penalties.
Floodplain Rules in Rutherford County, TN
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance, § 1003 C; § 1002 (definition of "Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation")
A development permit shall be required in conformity with this ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities. ... "Regulatory Flood Protection Elevation" means the "Base Flood Elevation" plus the "Freeboard". In "Special Flood Hazard Areas" where Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) have been determined, this elevation shall be the BFE plus one (1) foot for non-livable space and thr...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Rutherford County, new homes and substantially improved residences in AE flood zones must have their lowest floor built at least 3 feet above the Base Flood Elevation, a foot higher than FEMA's baseline standard.
Flood Elevation Rules in Rutherford County, TN
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1005 B.1
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 three (3) feet above the Base Flood Elevation. Minimum pad elevations shall be a minimum of one (1) foot above the established BFE or a minimum of one (1) foot above th...
Environmental Rules by City in Rutherford County
1 cities in Rutherford County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Rutherford County ordinances
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