Issuance of building and occupancy permits—Approval by director of the department of water and sewerage services.
Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.64.110
in effect15.64.110 - Issuance of building and occupancy permits—Approval by director of the department of water and sewerage services.
A. Prior to the issuance of a use and occupancy permit for any structure within a development, unless exempted by Section 15.64.130, in which the drainage system is to be dedicated to the metropolitan government, the drainage system shall be inspected and accepted by director of the department of water and sewerage services personnel.
B. Prior to the issuance of a use and occupancy permit for any structure in a development, unless exempted by Section 15.64.130, where the drainage system is to remain private, a registered engineer shall submit to the director of the department of water and sewerage services a certificate that the drainage system is complete and functional in accordance with the plans approved by the director of the department of water and sewerage services.
C. No building permit, except for structures exempted in Section 15.64.130, shall be issued until grading, drainage and erosion control plans are approved by the director of the department of water and sewerage services or his designee, and the grading permit is issued.
D. Grading permits for certain projects, as described herein, shall be valid only for a period of eighteen months from the date of issuance. This limitation shall apply to project sites meeting each of the following criteria:
i. No contemporary building permit or use and occupancy permit has been issued or requested for the project site property;
ii. The project site is located upon a local street, minor local street, or arterial or collector street consisting of two lanes or less, according to the Major and Collector Street Plan;
iii. The project site is on a lot adjacent to a residential zone district or a district permitting residential use; and
iv. The project site is not owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, the Nashville Electric Service, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, or the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority.
Upon expiration of grading permits for properties meeting the criteria set forth in this subsection, such permits may be renewed only upon the adoption of a resolution, after a public hearing, by the metropolitan council receiving twenty-one affirmative votes to approve the permit renewal. Subject to the approval of the department of water and sewerage services, permits approved for renewal may be re-issued for an additional eighteen months without an additional application and review process.
As a condition of the issuance of grading permits subject to this section, the expiration or non-renewal thereof shall require the previously permitted operator to satisfy any closure requirements deemed necessary by the department of water and sewerage services for purposes of ensuring site stabilization and site stormwater management functionality, including installation of stormwater infrastructure and/or stormwater control measures, within a reasonable period of time.
E. Any nonpermitted drainage system or construction or fill located within a floodplain, shall upon written notice from the director of the department of water and sewerage services, be removed at the property owner's expense.
F. Metro water services may withhold approvals and grading permit issuance from any person, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, corporation or any other type of business entity or related entity who has another grading permit project or building permit that is currently in violation of stormwater regulations. For purposes of this section, partnerships, limited partnerships, joint ventures, corporations or other type of business entities owned or operated by common person(s) or having common person(s) involved in the day-to-day operation of the business will be viewed as a related entity unless a significant change of control can be evidenced.
(Amdt. 1 to Ord. BL2019-1475 § 1, 2019; Ord. BL2019-1475 § 1, 2019; Ord. BL2016-513 §§ 14, 15, 2017; Ord. BL2007-1440 § 9, 2007; prior code § 40-1-232)
Source: Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metropolitan Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT15WASEOTPUSE_DIVIGERE_CH15.64STMA_15.64.110ISBUOCPEPPDIDEWASESEFetched: 10/28/2026