Nashville Stormwater Compliance 101: A Practical Guide for HOAs & Property Managers

Stormwater Management
Written By Jessica Licklider

Nashville Stormwater Compliance 101

Managing stormwater is not optional, especially in Middle Tennessee, where regulatory oversight is strong, rainfall is heavy, and improper maintenance can result in costly violations. Whether you manage an HOA, commercial property, apartment complex, or municipal facility, you are legally obligated to maintain your stormwater devices.

This guide breaks down Nashville’s stormwater compliance rules and explains exactly what property managers must do to avoid violations and fines.

Stormwater pond management expert assesses a stormwater pipe for compliance and issues during a routine maintenance visit.

Why Is Stormwater Compliance Important in Nashville?

Nashville is a designated MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) community. This means the city must enforce strict stormwater management rules to stay compliant with the EPA Clean Water Act and the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC).

If a stormwater device, or BMP (Best Management Practice), on your property fails, you will be liable.

Common Stormwater Assets That Require Compliance

  • Dry Ponds

  • Bioretentions

  • Water quality swales

  • Underground detention systems

  • Water quality units

  • Sand filters

  • Retention ponds

  • Erosion control structures

Nashville’s Stormwater Requirements Simplified

1. Annual Stormwater Inspections

Metro Nashville and the surrounding municipalities require stormwater devices to be inspected at least once per year, documented, and repaired as needed.

2. Maintenance Must Be Proactive

If issues appear, such as sediment buildup, erosion, clogged outlets, and overgrown vegetation, property owners must correct them promptly, not just wait for a notice.

3. Keep Records Accessible

Inspections and maintenance must be documented and records must be accessible for audits.

4. Major Repairs Require Qualified Contractors

Noncompliant repairs can actually worsen the device and lead to re-violations. Qualified specialized stormwater contractors should be utilized to ensure accurate, timely, and efficient repairs.

Most Common Stormwater Compliance Failures in Nashville

  • Overgrown vegetation - Leads to blockages, mosquito habitats, odors, and erosion

  • Sediment Buildup - Reduces pond volume and flood control

  • Broken or Clogged Outlet Structures - A top cause of sinkholes, flooding, and violations

  • Eroded Embankments - A major safety and compliance risk. Erosion also leads to sedimentation within the pond

How Dragonfly Pond Works Helps You Stay Compliant in Nashville

We provide:

  • Annual inspections

  • Routine specialized stormwater pond maintenance

  • Repair and restoration

  • Vegetation management

  • Complete reconstruction and conversions

  • Compliance documentation

Serving Nashville, Davidson County, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Beyond

Need a Nashville Stormwater Management Expert?

A Stormwater Repair expert operates a Ventrac to add riprap to a dry pond dissipator pad to restore function and compliance while another expert monitors.

Dragonfly Pond Works provides fast, compliant inspections, routine maintenance, and expert repairs in the Middle Tennessee region, including Nashville Metro, Davidson County, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and beyond. Since 2006, we have been the industry leader in stormwater management and pond management. Our stormwater management specialists have the expertise to provide a customized plan for the unique needs of every type of stormwater device, pond, and property. We restore compliance and peace of mind. Contact us today to stay compliant and protect your property.

Stormwater Compliance, Routine Maintenance, Repairs, & More

See our major restoration of an overgrown, long neglected dry pond. Learn about our Stormwater Pipe Repair Services to keep your properties safe from sinkholes, flooding, potential damage, and violations.

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Dragonfly Pond Works provides specialized pond and stormwater management, compliance repairs, routine maintenance, and more in Nashville, Davidson County, Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Spring Hill, TN, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and Wilmington, North Carolina, Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Greenville, South Carolina, Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, Fort Myers, Florida, Atlanta, Athens, Georgia, DC Metro, Fairfax, Northern Virginia, and Rockville, Gaithersburg, and surrounding Maryland.

Jessica Licklider
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