Legal Documents of Maryville
Code of Maryville
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Code of Maryville
Title 19 Stormwater
Chapter 5 Vegetated Buffer Zone And Stormwater Quality Management
Title 19 Stormwater
Chapter 5 Vegetated Buffer Zone And Stormwater Quality Management
Maryville
Title 19 : Stormwater
Chapter 5 : Vegetated Buffer Zone And Stormwater Quality Management
19-516 : Activities within the water quality buffer.
- The following activities or land uses are prohibited within the water quality buffer:
- The storage and use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, except as provided in this chapter;
- All types of impervious surfaces, structures, buildings, storage facilities and other accessories;
- Vehicle storage and maintenance;
- Waste storage areas, dumpsters, grease bins;
- Septic tanks and septic drain fields;
- Hazardous sanitary waste landfills;
- Receiving areas for toxic or hazardous waste or other containments;
- Mining;
- Animal lots or kennels; and
- Other activities or uses that are known to contribute pollutants to waterways.
- Facilities used for stormwater quantity or quality management, and/or for channel erosion protection may be located within the water quality buffer area; provided, such facilities are approved by the director of engineering and public works, or his/her designee.
- The following activities are allowed within the inner zone of water quality buffers on streams and within water quality buffers on wetlands:
- Maintenance activities to remove trees or other vegetation if they are in danger of falling, causing damage to dwellings or other structures, causing blockage of the stream, standing in the path of an approved water, sanitary sewer, or storm main. The roots of a tree that are penetrating, or in danger of penetrating, a sewer, water or storm drainage line at a joint or pipe connection may be removed, however the root wad or stump should be left in place, where feasible, to maintain soil stability.
- Maintenance activities to prune native vegetation; provided, that the health and function of the vegetation is not compromised.
- Maintenance activities to remove non-native vegetation (i.e., honeysuckle, kudzu, privet) and re-vegetated with native species; provided, that such activities cause minimal soil disturbance is permitted and the requirements of § 19-514(7) are met.
- Disturbances as required to establish and/or restore buffer areas in accordance with an approved buffer enhancement plan.
- Stormwater management facilities that do not detract from the buffer meeting the minimum vegetative target for the buffer area and will allow the buffer area to meet its intended purposes as stated in § 18-1010.
- Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, storm drainage, and utilities; provided, that they adhere to the following standards:
- The width shall be kept to the minimum width needed to allow for maintenance access and installation;
- The crossing shall be at an angle that minimizes clearing requirements;
- The minimum number of crossings should be used within each development, with no more than one (1) crossing every one thousand (1,000) linear feet. The director of engineering and public works, or his/her designee, may approve additional crossings if justified by traffic, safety, or access issues.
- Access areas for utilities that are located in the water quality buffer shall be allowed. Access areas must be minimized to the extent possible and shall be located no less than four hundred feet (400') apart unless warranted by valid safety, access, or service issues.
- Pathways, trails and picnic areas, provided that no impervious surfaces are used and the design and location of such areas are approved by the City of Maryville.
- Removal of forest vegetation that has the potential to impact traffic safety or limit access to areas immediately surrounding the approved stream or utility crossing. The area shall be vegetated with a minimum of dense grass.
- Bank stabilization, stream restoration or habitat alteration projects and other activities permitted and approved by TDEC or under § 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act, being 42 U.S.C. § 7651c. The buffer area must be re-vegetated in accordance with the requirements of this chapter immediately after the project is complete. Such project must include sufficient erosion control measures, such as turf reinforcement mats, erosion control blankets, straw wattles, etc., to stabilize the area in the short- and long-term.
- Education activities and scientific research that do not require any prohibited activities identified in this section.
- The following activities are allowed within the outer zone of the water quality buffers on streams and rivers, and within water quality buffers on ponds and lakes.
- All activities that are allowed within the inner zone;
- Land disturbance and grading; provided, that the buffer area is re-vegetated in accordance with the requirements of this chapter immediately after the project is complete. A buffer enhancement plan must be submitted and approved for land disturbance and grading projects that require a grading permit prior to approval of the grading permit;
- Clearing, grubbing, grading and re-vegetation, performed in accordance with an approved grading plan;
- Disturbances necessary for the construction of utility access areas and approved stream crossings;
- On-going vegetative maintenance activities such as mowing, bush-hogging, and weed-eating; and
- The limited application of herbicides and fertilizers for purposes of vegetation removal and management is allowed. Herbicides and fertilizers used must be non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for humans, animals and the environment. (1999 Code, § 19-716, modified)
Date Last Updated: 12/22/2025
Codification Date: 06/01/2024
Officials at Date of Last Codification:
Mayor - Andy White
Vice-Mayor - Fred Metz
Council Member - Sarah Herron
Council Member - Tommy Hunt
Council Member - Drew Miles
City Manager - Greg McClain
Assistant City Manager - Kevin Stoltenberg
City Recorder/Financial Services Director - Sherri Phillips
City Attorney - Melanie Davis