Knoxville, TN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Knoxville, TN, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Max height
- 18 feet, capped at house height
- Min setback
- 5 feet from any lot line
- Coverage cap (≤15,000 sf lot)
- 750 sq ft or less
- Coverage cap (1+ acre lot)
- 1,100 sq ft or less
- Citation
- Appendix B § 10.3.A
Summary
Detached accessory structures like sheds in Knoxville are capped at 18 feet tall, need a 5-foot setback from every lot line, and face a lot-size-based coverage cap under the zoning code.
A. General Regulations for Accessory Structures. [...] 4. The maximum height of any detached accessory structure is 18 feet, unless otherwise permitted or restricted by this Code. An accessory structure cannot exceed the height of the principal structure. [...] 5. Detached accessory structures, including those listed in this section and Section 10.4, must be setback five feet from any lot line, unless otherwise permitted or restricted by this Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Knoxville's zoning code sets one general standard for every detached accessory structure, sheds, detached garages, workshops, no matter the district. Height tops out at 18 feet and can't exceed the principal building's height (agricultural structures are exempt). Every detached accessory structure needs a 5-foot setback from any lot line. Coverage is tied to lot size: on lots of 15,000 square feet or less, one accessory structure is capped at 750 square feet or the primary structure's coverage, whichever is smaller; the cap rises to 1,100 square feet on lots of an acre or more. The Building Code requires a permit for most accessory structures, and cooking facilities are barred inside them unless the structure meets ADU standards.
Violations & Fines
Building a shed or detached garage taller than 18 feet, inside the 5-foot setback, or over the lot's coverage cap without a variance is a zoning violation enforceable by the Zoning Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a shed be in Knoxville?
How close to the property line can I build a shed in Knoxville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
How Knoxville compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Knoxville to another location·View the Tennessee accessory structures overview
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