Minor Stream Bank Repair and Maintenance

The City of Hendersonville is known as the “City by the Lake,” but the City also has 32 miles of streams. This means that the quality of water in our waterways is essential. Stormwater staff are commonly asked what homeowners can do to maintain or repair stream banks along their property.  Typically, minor stream bank repair or maintenance does not require a permit from the State of Tennessee or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  It is always best to check before you proceed with any activities impacting the stream or stream bank.

Per T.C.A. § 69-3-108(o) the following activities do not require a permit:

  1. The removal of downed trees by dragging or winching without grading or reshaping of the stream channel;
  2. The placement of downed trees on stream banks for erosion protection; and
  3. The planting of native vegetation on stream banks. 
    • Review Tennessee's Invasive Plants List prior to your planting or live staking activities. Do not plant invasives on the stream bank or stream buffer.  

As defined in Hendersonville Municipal Code (H.M.C.) 18-202, a water quality riparian buffer means a permanent strip of natural perennial vegetation adjacent to a stream, river, wetland, pond, or lake that contains dense vegetation made up of grass, shrubs, and/or trees. The purpose of a water quality riparian buffer is to maintain existing water quality by minimizing the risk of any potential sediments, nutrients, or other pollutants reaching adjacent surface waters and to further prevent negative water quality impact by providing canopy over adjacent waters.

H.M.C. 18-205 requires all new development/redevelopment within the City to implement a permanent water quality riparian buffer.  

Stream Bank Repair Workshop

The Stream Bank Repair Workshop provides guidance and resources to new and existing property owners with streams adjacent to or running through their property.  It is important to remember that certain stream maintenance activities may require permitting from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and/or the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  The City encourages property owners to check with applicable agencies before conducting stream bank maintenance activities.