Chattanooga, TN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- SOV target
- first 1 inch, 100% managed
- Trigger
- 1+ acre disturbance
- TSS alternative
- filter to 80% removal
- Owner duty
- inspect SCMs quarterly
- Full inspection
- every 5 years
Summary
New development and redevelopment in Chattanooga must manage the first inch of every rainstorm on-site with no discharge to surface waters, under the City's stormwater ordinance.
For projects greater than one (1) acre of disturbance or part of a larger plan of common development that will exceed one (1) acre of disturbance, all new developments and all redevelopment projects, in combination or alone, are required to incorporate runoff reduction measures designed, constructed and maintained, to manage (infiltrate, evapotranspire, harvest and/or use), at a minimum, the first one (1.0) inch of every rainfall event preceded by seventy-two (72) hours of no measurable precipitation, with no discharge from the project site to surface waters.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 31-313 sets Chattanooga's core stormwater standard: projects disturbing an acre or more must install runoff-reduction measures, infiltration, evapotranspiration, harvesting, or reuse, sized to fully manage the first inch of every rainfall event after 72 dry hours, with zero discharge to surface waters. Where that Stay-on-Volume target is infeasible, developers can instead pay a mitigation fee or filter a 2.1-inch or 3.1-inch storm to strip at least 80% of total suspended solids. Facilities must also attenuate peak runoff for the 2-, 5-, 10-, and 25-year 24-hour storms, and owners are responsible for inspecting and maintaining their own stormwater control measures afterward.
Violations & Fines
Skipping required stormwater controls or letting facilities fail violates Secs. 31-313 and 31-314; the City's general penalty (Sec. 1-8) reaches $500 per day, and the City can order corrective maintenance at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chattanooga's 'Stay on Volume' stormwater requirement?
Who maintains a private stormwater pond in Chattanooga?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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