Alterations of floodplains and drainage channels—Requirements.

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.64.180

in effect

15.64.180 - Alterations of floodplains and drainage channels—Requirements. No alterations of floodplain land and drainage channels may be made without the written approval of the director of the department of water and sewerage services. All applicable requirements of this title and, in addition, the following conditions must be met before such approval may be granted: A. The placement or construction of a levee, earth fill, building or other structure which alters the floodplain area shall only be permitted based on a plan prepared by a registered and licensed professional engineer of Tennessee, showing existing and proposed elevations, existing and proposed drainage channels, and existing and proposed structures, and the plan shall be approved by the director of the department of water and sewerage services of the metropolitan government certifying that the alteration and construction as proposed would not increase the degree of flooding in other areas, and that any structures proposed to be constructed in the floodplain shall meet the following special conditions. 1. The minimum floor elevation of that portion of any structure intended for human occupancy shall be at least equal to or higher than four feet above the base flood elevation. Those portions of such structures not intended for human occupancy shall be at least equal to or higher than one foot above the base flood elevation. All other related facilities thereto such as electrical equipment, water service, and sanitary sewer connections shall be at least equal to or higher than one foot above the base flood elevation. 2. The minimum floor elevation of any structure not intended for human occupancy, as defined, shall be at least equal to or higher than one foot above the base flood elevation. Floodproofing of these structures will only be authorized by the director of the department of water and sewerage services as specific individual exceptions to minimum floor elevation requirements where it can be shown that the proposed floodproofing is acceptable from an engineering standpoint. B. The proposed excavation, filling or change of alignment of any existing channel under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Corps of Engineers shall be approved by the corps of engineers. C. The plan is approved by the metropolitan planning commission taking into account the above conditions as well as any other pertinent factors. Any duly approved alteration of the floodplain will be so noted on the official zoning map as a matter of information. This notation will be made upon certification by the director of the department of water and sewerage services to the planning commission that such alteration has been completed in accordance with the approved plan. (Ord. BL2016-513 §§ 22, 23, 2017; Ord. BL2007-1440 § 11, 2007; prior code § 40-1-231(b))

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_15.64.180ALFLDRCHEQFetched: 10/28/2026