Knox County, TN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing ordinance
- Knox County Stormwater Mgmt. Ordinance, Sec. 26-151
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of engineering and public works
- Civil penalty
- $250.00 to $5,000.00 per day
- Appeal path
- Board of zoning appeals, 30 days
- Readopted
- Ord. No. O-24-7-101, Aug. 26, 2024
- Coverage
- Entire unincorporated county
Summary
Knox County's engineering and public works department enforces the Knox County Stormwater Management Ordinance, Sec. 26-151 et seq., across the entire unincorporated county. Violators face civil penalties of $250.00 to $5,000.00 per day of violation under Sec. 26-157, on top of stop-work orders, withheld permits and required corrective action, with an appeal path through the board of zoning appeals.
This article shall be cited as the Knox County Stormwater Management Ordinance and shall replace in its entirety Ordinance No. O-07-12-101, adopted January 28th 2008, as amended... This article shall apply to all areas located within the jurisdiction of the county. (Sec. 26-151) ... Any person who violates the provisions of this article shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250.00 or more than $5,000.00 per day for each day of each violation. Each day of violation may constitute a separate violation. (Sec. 26-157(b))
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 26-151 cites this ordinance as the "Knox County Stormwater Management Ordinance," readopted by Ord. No. O-24-7-101 on August 26, 2024, replacing the county's 2008 stormwater code. It applies countywide, and the director of the department of engineering and public works, with the county mayor's approval, writes the technical stormwater management manual that fills in design and enforcement detail. Sec. 00 per day for each day of each violation, with each day treated as a separate violation. In setting the penalty, the county weighs harm to public health or the environment, whether the fine will actually deter the conduct, the economic benefit the violator gained, and any unusual enforcement costs the county incurred.
§ 27-8-101. Sec. 26-313 separately bans illicit discharges into the county's storm sewer system, from sanitary sewer overflows to wash water from auto repair shops and construction sites, and Sec. 26-316 makes it illegal to intentionally dump an EPA priority pollutant where rain or stormwater could carry it into the system.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 26-157 sets civil penalties of $250.00 to $5,000.00 per day for each day of each violation, plus recovery of the county's actual damages, on top of stop-work orders and withheld permits or inspections. An unappealed penalty becomes final after 30 days and the county can obtain a chancery court judgment to enforce it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces stormwater rules in Knox County?
What happens if I violate the stormwater ordinance?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knox County
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