ADU rules in Knox County, TN — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
In unincorporated Knox County, the Zoning Ordinance allows only one house per lot, so a separate second dwelling or ADU is not permitted by right. Home occupations are allowed inside the main dwelling. Inside Knoxville, the city's own code permits one ADU by right.
Knox County zones the unincorporated area (TCA Title 13, Ch. 7). In the A Agricultural and RA Low Density Residential zones the ordinance states not more than one house is permitted on any lot, and lot area of at least 10,000 sq ft (sewer) or 20,000 sq ft (no sewer) applies to a dwelling plus its accessory buildings. A detached accessory building cannot be used as a second dwelling. If you live inside the City of Knoxville or the Town of Farragut, that jurisdiction's own zoning code governs ADUs instead. Verify your zone with Knoxville-Knox County Planning before building any second living unit.
Building a second dwelling without approval is a zoning violation enforced by the county Department of Code Administration; correction or removal may be ordered.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Knox County does not prohibit backyard composting for households. The zoning code only regulates commercial-scale composting facilities, which are solid-wast...
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Knox County treats vines, grass, weeds and other vegetation that reaches 12 inches or more as a presumed public nuisance on residential property. Owners must...
See how Knox County's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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