Floodplain/floodway development standards.
Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 17.28.040
in effect17.28.040 - Floodplain/floodway development standards.
A. Limited encroachments into the preserved floodplain may be authorized as a variance by the stormwater management commission, as set forth in Section 15.64 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws. Such variances shall be approved only if the committee finds that the encroachment reduces the flood danger or would improve and enhance the environmental quality of the affected floodplain section. Variances shall not be approved for greater than twenty percent of the floodplain area required to be preserved.
B. All development shall be undertaken consistent with the flood insurance standards and requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as necessary, to maintain the eligibility of the National Flood Insurance Program within Davidson County. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, all development alterations or improvements that would otherwise be subject to Chapter 15.64 of this Code shall comply with the provisions of that chapter and the regulations and technical guidelines promulgated by the department pursuant to that chapter.
C. Residential Development. Residential development on property encumbered by natural floodplain or floodway on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall comply with the following, except for the installation of streets and utilities where required by the planning commission to alleviate an undue hardship:
1. Single or Two-Family Lots. Land area designated as natural floodplain or floodway on the effective date of said section may be included within a residential lot, but if manipulated, shall not be counted towards satisfying the minimum lot size requirements of the base zoning district. Any residential lot, or any portion of a residential lot, containing natural floodplain shall be designated as a "critical lot" and minimum finished floor elevations shall be established on the final plat of subdivision approved by the metropolitan planning commission and the department of water and sewerage services.
2. Grouped lots. A single and/or two-family subdivision proposed on property containing natural floodplain and floodway areas shall employ the conservation development Section 17.12.090 or the Planned Unit Development (PUD) cluster lot option of Section 17.36.070. Residential lots under the conservation development or PUD cluster lot option may be grouped within the manipulated areas of the natural floodplain. Any residential lot, or any portion of a residential lot, containing natural floodplain shall be designated as a "critical lot" and minimum finished floor elevations shall be established on the final plat of subdivision approved by the metropolitan planning commission and the department of water and sewerage services. Protected floodway and floodplain areas shall not be excluded from the calculation of gross land area for purposes of determining lot yield pursuant to Section 17.12.090.
(Ord. BL2023-1888 § 25, 2023; Ord. BL2022-1121 § 6, 2022; Ord. BL2016-513 §§ 32—36, 2017; Ord. BL2011-898 § 11, 2011; Ord. BL2009-586 § 1(Exh. A, § 41), 2010; Amdt. 1 to Ord. BL2002-1021 § 1, 2003; Ord. BL99-117 § 1 (part), 2000; Amdt. 1 with Ord. 98-1268 § 1 (part), 1998; Ord. 96-555 § 7.1(D), 1997)
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_TIT17ZO_CH17.28ENOPPEST_ARTIENPEST_17.28.040FLFLDESTFetched: 10/28/2026