Knoxville Water Quality Buffer Ordinance

This Knoxville ordinance requires water quality buffers around streams, wetlands, ponds, and lakes identified as community waters. Streams require a minimum 50-foot buffer, wetlands a 25-foot buffer, and ponds or lakes connected to other community waters also need a 25-foot buffer around their perimeter. Buffers are not required for hydraulically disconnected ponds or those designed for stormwater treatment, but are necessary in areas with steep slopes or higher pollutant risks from certain land uses.