Shelby County, TN Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Shelby County Code Sec. 36-84 makes it unlawful to discharge stormwater from a construction activity disturbing one acre or more (or part of a larger common plan of development of at least one acre) without a state Department of Environment and Conservation general permit for construction stormwater discharges. The notice of intent for that state permit must be copied to the Shelby County Engineer's Stormwater Management Section at 160 North Main Street, Suite 350, Memphis. A handful of activities are exempt from the formal notice, including home gardens and individual landscaping, home repairs and maintenance, individual sewer/service connections for single- or two-family residences, established agricultural practices, NRCS-supervised projects, and utility line work confined to an already hard-surfaced road, street or sidewalk with a street/curb/sidewalk permit.

Exempt activities still must control erosion and sedimentation under the rest of the article. Best management practices are set by the Memphis and Shelby County Drainage Design Manual (MSCDDM), adopted and amended by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners; until that manual is finalized, the state's erosion and sediment control handbook controls. Sec. 36-84 also requires a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) to be provided to the County Engineer as part of project approval, with the project subject to favorable review by both the County Engineer and the state department.

Sec. 36-85 backs this up: construction is only allowed when permitted and, when the manager or building permits official deems it appropriate, when construction plans have been approved. The manager can stop construction on properties lacking adequate erosion prevention and sedimentation control measures.