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Clarksville, TN Environmental Rules: Coastal Development (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Coastal program
None; Tennessee is landlocked
Governing rule
Zoning Ordinance 9.2, Floodway Overlay
NFIP community number
470137
Flood Insurance Study
Dated January 15, 2021
Administrator
Director of Streets

Summary

Tennessee is landlocked, so no coastal program exists. Building near the Cumberland and Red Rivers instead runs through the Floodway Overlay District in Zoning Ordinance 9.2, which requires a development permit before any development activity.

A development permit shall be required in conformity with this Ordinance prior to the commencement of any development activities.

Source: City of Clarksville Code of OrdinancesView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 110 Update 2 | Zoning Ordinance: Supplement 6).

Full Breakdown

Clarksville sits at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red Rivers and carries NFIP community number 470137. Section 9.2 is adopted under T.C.A. 13-7-201 through 13-7-210 to keep the city eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program under 44 CFR 60.3. Mapping comes from the FEMA Flood Insurance Study dated January 15, 2021, plus FIRM panels dated March 18, 2008 and January 15, 2021. The Director of Streets is the appointed Administrator. Inside the regulatory floodway, encroachment is barred unless hydrologic and hydraulic analysis shows no increase in flood levels or floodway widths during a base flood discharge.

Violations & Fines

Violating the floodway overlay, or the conditions attached to a variance, is a misdemeanor punishable as other misdemeanors are punishable under Tennessee law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Clarksville issue coastal development permits?
No. Tennessee has no coastline and no coastal management program. Work near the Cumberland or Red River instead needs a floodplain development permit under Zoning Ordinance section 9.2.
Can I build inside the regulatory floodway?
Only if a Tennessee registered engineer demonstrates the encroachment causes no increase in flood levels or floodway widths during a base flood discharge, or FEMA issues a conditional letter of map revision.
Who decides whether my lot is in the flood zone?
The Director of Streets, acting as Administrator, applies the FEMA Flood Insurance Study of January 15, 2021 and the adopted FIRM panels for community 470137.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Clarksville

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsErosion ControlHeavy RestrictionsStormwater ManagementHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsSignificant Restrictions

All Clarksville rules

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