Murfreesboro, TN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Core prohibition
- No construction may worsen flooding
- Citation
- Code § 27.5-8(A)
- Civil penalty
- $50–$5,000 per day
- Plan trigger
- 1 acre or 10,000 sq ft impervious
Summary
Murfreesboro bars any construction, public or private, from materially increasing flooding through flow restrictions, added runoff or lost retention capacity, and requires Planning Director review before site work with likely hydrologic impact.
No construction, regardless of size, whether by private or public action, shall be performed in such a manner as to materially increase the degree of flooding in its vicinity or in other areas whether by flow restrictions, increased runoff or by diminishing retention capacity.(B)The Planning Director shall have the authority to review permit applications filed with the Building Department to determine whether development of a site is likely to have a significant hydrologic impact or materially increase the degree of flooding and may in such case require stormwater plans. For this section, developments that may have a significant hydrologic impact shall include the grading, excavation, clearance or other alteration of the landscape for other than agricultural purposes whether or not a building application has been filed, and whether or not subdivision of the land or construction on the land is contemplated in the near future. (Ord. No. 24-O-24, § 1, 8-22-24)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 18 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The City's Chapter 27.5 Stormwater Management Ordinance flatly prohibits construction "in such a manner as to materially increase the degree of flooding in its vicinity or in other areas," whether through flow restrictions, increased runoff, or diminished retention capacity. The Planning Director reviews Building Department permit applications to determine whether a project is likely to have a significant hydrologic impact, including grading, excavation or land alteration even without a filed building application, and can require full stormwater plans. Larger projects (one acre disturbed, or 10,000 sq. ft. of new impervious surface) must control peak discharge and treat 80% of total suspended solids under the City's design manual.
Violations & Fines
Violators face a civil penalty of $50 to $5,000 per day of violation, plus recovery of the City's damages and enforcement costs under Code § 27.5-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces Murfreesboro's stormwater rules?
Does a small residential project need a separate stormwater review?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Murfreesboro
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