(A) Purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to:
(1) Protect, maintain, and enhance the environment of the city and the public health, safety and the general welfare of the citizens of the city, by controlling discharges of pollutants to the city's stormwater system and to maintain and improve the quality of the receiving waters into which the stormwater outfalls flow, including, without limitation, lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, wetlands, and groundwater of the city;
(2) Enable the city to comply with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and applicable regulations, 40 C.F.R. § 122 as applicable for stormwater discharges;
(3) Allow the city to exercise the powers granted in T.C.A. § 68-221-1105, which provides that, among other powers cities have with respect to stormwater facilities, is the power by ordinance or resolution to:
(a) Exercise general regulation over the planning, location, construction, and operation and maintenance of stormwater facilities in the city, whether or not owned and operated by the city;
(b) Adopt any rules and regulations deemed necessary to accomplish the purposes of this statute, including the adoption of a system of fees for services and permits;
(c) Establish standards to regulate the quantity of stormwater discharged and to regulate stormwater contaminants as may be necessary to protect water quality;
(d) Review and approve plans and plats for stormwater management in proposed subdivisions or commercial developments;
(e) Issue permits for stormwater discharges, or for the construction, alteration, extension, or repair of stormwater facilities;
(f) Suspend or revoke permits when it is determined that the permittee has violated any applicable ordinance, resolution, or condition of the permit;
(g) Regulate and prohibit discharges into stormwater facilities of sanitary, industrial, or commercial sewage or waters that have otherwise been contaminated; and
(h) Expend funds to remediate or mitigate the detrimental effects of contaminated land or other sources of stormwater contamination, whether public or private.
(B) Administering entity. The city shall administer the provisions of this chapter.
(C) Stormwater management ordinance. The intended purpose of this chapter is to safeguard property and public welfare by regulating stormwater drainage and requiring temporary and permanent provisions for its control. It should be used as a planning and engineering tool for permit compliance and to facilitate the necessary control of stormwater.
(Ord. 1722, passed 8-13-2024)