Plan Review
The City of Memphis is required, by its NPDES Permit, to review Erosion Control Plans and Post-Construction Runoff Control Plans to ensure that structural and non-structural controls will be in place to prevent water quality impacts during the construction of a development and throughout the life of the development.
Erosion Control Plan Review
The City of Memphis Land Development Office (LDO) decides whether an Erosion Control Plan (ECP) submittal will be required for developments with less than one acre of land disturbance. For developments disturbing more than one acre of land and for developments that will require storm water detention, LDO requires the submittal of an ECP. The City of Memphis Storm Water Program reviews submitted ECPs for City approval.
ECPs submitted for review must meet all requirements of the State of Tennessee General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activity (TNR100000) and be in conformance with the City of Memphis and Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual. The designer must include Best Management Practices (BMPs) that adhere to the more stringent standards set forth in the Storm Water Management Manual (SWMM) Volume 3: BMP manual and the most recent edition of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Handbook.
ECP Resources
Guidance documents and manuals pertaining to ECP requirements are available by clicking the links below. For additional guidance and requirements, please refer to the City of Memphis Storm Water Ordinances.
City policy requirements pertaining to ECP review:
2024: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 1: Policy Manual
EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: Reference Storm Water Management Manual Volume 1 here.
Guidance on erosion prevention and sediment control drainage factors:
2024: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 2: Drainage Manual
EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: Reference Storm Water Management Manual Volume 2 here.
BMP design and implementation:
2024: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 3: BMP Manual
EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: Reference Storm Water Management Manual Volume 3 here.
City requirements pertaining to natural resource protection:
Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code
Erosion prevention and sediment control design and implementation: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Manual
State permit requirements pertaining to erosion control plans:
Tennessee General NPDES Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities Permit No. TNR100000
Land Development Submittal Checklist: Standards and Guidelines Guidance Document
Post-Construction Runoff Control Plan Review
A Post-Construction Runoff Control Plan (PCRCP) is required for all new developments and significant redevelopments with the exception of (1) residential projects without storm water detention and (2) linear projects. If neither of the exceptions apply, a PCRCP is required, even if there are no storm water facilities on-site.
PCRCPs submitted for review must meet all requirements set forth in the Storm Water Management Manual and the PCRCP technical standards guidance document. The designer must include Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will be implemented throughout the life of the development to prevent or minimize the discharge of pollutants.
Developments that will have a structural storm water management control will be required to submit an Inspection and Maintenance Agreement with the PCRCP as a condition of approval. The Inspection and Maintenance Agreement can be found in the SWMM Volume 1: Policy Manual (see PCRCP Resources Section below) in Appendix D.
PCRCP Resources
Guidance documents and manuals pertaining to PCRCP requirements are available by clicking the links below. For additional guidance and requirements, please reference the City of Memphis Storm Water Ordinances.
PCRCP guidance document: Post-Construction Runoff Control Plan Technical Standards Guidance Document
City policy requirements pertaining to PCRCPs and for the Inspection and Maintenance Agreement:
2024: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 1: Policy Manual
EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: Reference Storm Water Management Manual Volume 1 here.
BMP design and implementation:
2024: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 3: BMP Manual
EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: Reference Storm Water Management Manual Volume 3 here.
Land Development Submittal Checklist: Standards and Guidelines Guidance Document
Regulatory
The City of Memphis Storm Water Program’s mission is to protect, maintain, and enhance the quality of the City of Memphis’ receiving waters for the safety, health, and general welfare of its citizens and future generations.
ECP Resources
City policy requirements pertaining to ECP review EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 1: Policy Manual
Guidance on erosion prevention and sediment control drainage factors EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 2: Drainage Manual
BMP design and implementation EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 3: BMP Manual
City requirements pertaining to natural resource protection:
Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code
Erosion prevention and sediment control design and implementation: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Manual
State permit requirements pertaining to erosion control plans:
Tennessee General NPDES Permit for Discharges of Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities Permit No. TNR100000
Land Development Submittal Checklist: Standards and Guidelines Guidance Document
PCRCP Resources
PCRCP guidance document: Post-Construction Runoff Control Plan Technical Standards Guidance Document
City policy requirements pertaining to PCRCPs and for the Inspection and Maintenance Agreement EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 1: Policy Manual
BMP design and implementation EFFECTIVE 1/1/2025: City of Memphis/ Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual Volume 3: BMP Manual
Land Development Submittal Checklist: Standards and Guidelines Guidance Document