FEMA flood zone rules in Knoxville, TN — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Knoxville has FEMA-designated flood zones along the Tennessee River, Fort Loudoun Lake, and various creeks. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas must carry flood insurance and meet elevation requirements.
Knoxville and Knox County participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA flood zones exist along the Tennessee River, Fort Loudoun Lake, Third Creek, First Creek, and other waterways throughout the city. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zones A and AE) must carry flood insurance if they have federally backed mortgages. New construction must be elevated above the base flood elevation. Substantial improvements to existing structures must also comply with floodplain regulations. Knox County's stormwater engineering division administers the floodplain program.
Building in flood zones without proper permits and elevation certificates results in permit denial and inability to obtain flood insurance.
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See how Knoxville's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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