AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13, relative to zoning.
SB0360 would create a statewide zoning restriction for certain sensitive facilities in Tennessee by prohibiting the construction of correctional facilities, hospitals, and nursing homes within designated 100-year flood plains. The bill defines those facility types broadly, including privately and state-managed correctional facilities, licensed hospitals, nursing homes, assisted care living facilities, and certain independent living facilities located on the same property as a nursing home or home for the aged.
The bill also bars a previously licensed correctional facility, hospital, or nursing home located in a 100-year flood plain from being relicensed for those same uses if it has been vacated or converted to another use. For existing facilities that remain in flood-prone areas, any new addition must place all access and required functional components above the 100-year flood plain. The measure applies to both county and municipal zoning authority, overriding local discretion to the extent of any conflict, and takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to construction permit applications submitted on or after that date.
SB0360 would amend Tennessee zoning law in Titles 13-7-1 and 13-7-2 to add a statewide floodplain siting rule for correctional, health care, and long-term care facilities. It limits local governments’ ability to approve these facilities in 100-year flood plains, affects permitting and licensing decisions for new construction and redevelopment, and may constrain reuse of existing buildings in flood-prone areas for these purposes. The bill primarily impacts counties, municipalities, developers, correctional operators, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living providers, and state and private facility operators.
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available record. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to reflect a precautionary, public-safety-oriented approach to land use and flood risk, with an emphasis on preventing vulnerable facilities from being located in areas likely to flood. The absence of recorded discussion means sentiment cannot be assessed beyond the bill’s apparent policy intent.
The main potential point of contention is the bill’s override of local zoning authority, since it imposes a statewide prohibition on certain facilities in flood plains rather than leaving the decision to counties and municipalities. Another likely issue is the practical effect on existing facilities and redevelopment, because the bill restricts relicensing of vacated buildings and requires new additions to be elevated above the flood plain. Stakeholders most likely to object or seek clarification would include local governments, correctional and health care providers, and property owners with facilities or redevelopment plans in flood-prone areas.