Environmental Rules in Sumner County, TN (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Sumner County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Sumner County presumes every Major Subdivision of three or more lots and every Site Plan needs a stormwater detention or water quality facility. The developer's engineer, not the County, carries the burden of proving otherwise, and any built facility must transfer to a homeowners' association under a recorded maintenance agreement.
Sumner County Stormwater Facility Requirements
Significant RestrictionsSumner County Zoning Resolution, Ch. 8, § 803(A)-(E)
A. When determining whether a Stormwater Management Facility such as a detention/water quality treatment facility shall be required for a Major Subdivision containing three (3) lots or more or a Site Plan, the following criteria shall be utilized... If any one (1) or more of the following criteria are met, the developer shall be required to construct such facility... 1. Post construction Stormw...
Erosion Control
Tennessee has no statewide grading permit. Earthwork disturbing one acre or more triggers a TDEC construction stormwater permit, and Sumner County reviews grading and drainage under its local rules.
Sumner County Grading & Drainage Rules
Some RestrictionsTDEC NPDES Construction General Permit TNR100000
Submitting a complete NOI, a SWPPP and an appropriate permitting application fee are required to obtain coverage under this general permit.
Flood Zones
In unincorporated Sumner County, no development can occur in an Area of Special Flood Hazard without a permit from the County Engineer, who serves as Floodplain Administrator. Violators face a misdemeanor charge, court-set fines under Tennessee statutes, and daily penalties for a continuing violation.
Sumner County Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsSumner County Zoning Resolution, Ch. 10, § 1003(A), (C), (D), (H)
A. Application: This Chapter shall apply to all areas within the unincorporated area of Sumner County, Tennessee. ... C. Requirement for Development Permit: A development permit shall be required in conformity with this Resolution prior to the commencement of any development activities. D. Compliance: No land, structure or use shall hereafter be located, extended, converted or structurally alte...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved homes in Sumner County's unincorporated Special Flood Hazard Areas must sit at least three feet above the Base Flood Elevation, one foot more than the county's general freeboard floor. Non-residential buildings need only one foot of freeboard above BFE or equivalent flood-proofing. The Zoning Resolution's floodplain chapter, administered by the County Engineer, sets these elevation and certification standards for AE and approximate A Zones alike.
Sumner County Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsSumner County Zoning Resolution § 1005(B)(1)-(2)
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 three (3) feet above the Base Flood Elevation. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to...
Environmental Rules by City in Sumner County
1 cities in Sumner County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Sumner County ordinances
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