The Chattanooga Zoning Ordinance generally requires the principal dwelling on a lot with an ADU to be owner-occupied, treating the ADU as a subordinate accessory use. Both units cannot be rented to non-owners simultaneously without losing accessory use status. Tennessee has no statewide ADU-by-right preemption, leaving the requirement enforceable under Dillon Rule home rule authority.
Chattanooga Zoning Ordinance accessory use standards (City Code Chapter 38) treat ADUs as accessory dwelling units subordinate to a principal residence. The Land Development Office's longstanding interpretation requires owner-occupancy of either the principal dwelling or the ADU, with both units not rented to non-owner tenants concurrently. This preserves the ADU's accessory character; renting both units converts the property to a de facto duplex, which is not permitted in single-family R districts. Owner-occupancy is verified through property owner affidavits at permit application and during short-term rental permit reviews. The owner must list the property as their primary residence for voter registration, vehicle registration, driver's license, and property tax purposes. Tennessee is a Dillon Rule state and has not enacted ADU preemption legislation comparable to California or Oregon, so Chattanooga's owner-occupancy rule remains enforceable. Family members may occupy either unit, but the owner of record must reside on the property to maintain accessory status.
Renting both the main dwelling and ADU to non-owners violates the Chattanooga Zoning Ordinance and can result in zoning enforcement notices, civil penalties, and required cessation of rental activity. STR permits are revoked when owner-occupancy lapses. Conversion to a duplex without rezoning is a continuing violation subject to daily penalties.
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See how Chattanooga's adu owner occupancy rules stack up against other locations.
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