Moving to Knoxville, TN? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Knoxville is a mid-sized city in Knox County, Tennessee, with about 191000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 127 ordinances across 31 categories that affect daily life in Knoxville.

Noise Ordinances

Construction Hours: Knoxville permits construction work from 7 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. Sunday construction is restricted in residential areas..

Also covered: Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Knoxville for details.

Fire Regulations

Fire Pit Rules: Fire pits in Knoxville must be at least 25 feet from structures (15 feet for portable outdoor fireplaces). Fires must be attended with extinguishment on site and must not exceed 24 inches in flame height..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Propane Storage (moderate), Wildfire Zones (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Knoxville for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Knoxville regulates storage of RVs and boats on residential properties. Recreational vehicles should be stored in driveways or behind the home and may not be used as living quarters..

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Knoxville for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Knoxville regulates tree removal on development sites through its zoning code. Private property trees generally do not require permits for removal outside of development projects..

Also covered: Tree Trimming (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Water Restrictions (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Knoxville for details.

Animal Ordinances

Animal Hoarding: Knoxville treats animal hoarding as a cruelty and public-health issue under Chapter 5 and Tennessee state cruelty statutes, with Young-Williams Animal Center, Knox County Health Department, and Knoxville Police Department able to seize animals from severely overcrowded properties..

Also covered: Exotic Pets (moderate), Breed Restrictions (permissive), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Knoxville for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: Knoxville requires all short-term rental operators to obtain a permit. The STR ordinance took effect in January 2018.

Also covered: Parking Rules (moderate), Occupancy Limits (moderate), Host Presence Rule (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Knoxville for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Knoxville permits home occupations in residential zones under the zoning code (Article 9). The business must be incidental to residential use and not alter the home's residential character..

Also covered: Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Signage Rules (moderate). See the full home business guide for Knoxville for details.

Fence Regulations

Height Limits: Knoxville limits front yard fences to 4 feet and side/rear yard fences to 6-8 feet depending on the zoning district. The zoning code (Article 10) establishes standards for fences and walls..

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Knoxville for details.

Building Safety

Elevator Maintenance: Elevators in Knoxville commercial and multi-family buildings fall under Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development elevator-inspection rules, with annual state inspections, mandatory licensed-mechanic maintenance contracts, and posted certificates required in each cab..

Also covered: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (strict), Pest Control (moderate), Lead Paint (strict). See the full building safety guide for Knoxville for details.

Rental Property Rules

Security Deposit Rules: Knoxville landlords follow Tennessee URLTA security deposit rules at TCA 66-28-301, which require separate accounting, written itemization of deductions, and prompt return of remaining funds after move-out..

Also covered: Tenant Anti-Harassment (moderate), Just Cause Eviction (permissive), Rental Registration (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Knoxville for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: Tennessee HB 1320 (2022) criminalizes camping on public property as a Class E felony statewide, with reduced misdemeanor penalties for some local property. Knoxville coordinates outreach before any enforcement and follows state procedure..

Also covered: Bridge Housing Siting (permissive), Sit-Lie Rules (moderate). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Knoxville for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Tennessee has not legalized medical or recreational cannabis. Knoxville cannot license cannabis dispensaries.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (strict), Buffer Zones (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Knoxville for details.

Public Health Rules

Restaurant Grade Cards: Restaurants in Knoxville are inspected by the Knox County Health Department under Tennessee state food safety rules. Scores are posted publicly and follow-up inspections occur after low scores or critical violations..

Also covered: Bed-Bug Rules (moderate), Rodent Control (moderate), Syringe Disposal (permissive). See the full public health rules guide for Knoxville for details.

Single-Use Items

Polystyrene Foam Rules: Knoxville cannot ban polystyrene foam containers used for takeout food or beverages. Tennessee auxiliary container preemption blocks any local prohibition, fee, or mandatory alternative for foam packaging..

Also covered: Plastic Straw Rules (permissive), Plastic Bag Rules (permissive), Utensils-On-Request (permissive). See the full single-use items guide for Knoxville for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Tobacco Age Restrictions: Tennessee raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21 in 2021, conforming to federal Tobacco 21 law. Knoxville retailers must verify ID for anyone under 30 and post age signage at registers..

Also covered: Flavored Tobacco Bans (permissive), Vape Retail Rules (moderate). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for Knoxville for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Knoxville has FEMA-designated flood zones along the Tennessee River, Fort Loudoun Lake, and various creeks. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas must carry flood insurance and meet elevation requirements..

Also covered: Stormwater Management (strict), Grading & Drainage (moderate), Climate Emergency Mobilization (permissive). See the full environmental rules guide for Knoxville for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Specific Plans Overview: Recode Knoxville, adopted in 2020, replaced the 1962 zoning code with form-based standards, neighborhood districts, and clearer mixed-use rules grounded in the Knoxville-Knox County Comprehensive Plan..

Also covered: Hillside Overlay Rules (moderate), Density Bonus Law (permissive). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for Knoxville for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Shared E-Scooter Rules: Knoxville regulates shared e-scooters under a permitted operator program with downtown geofencing, parking corrals, and rider limits aimed at the University of Tennessee and Old City corridors..

Also covered: Curb Management (moderate), Bike Lane Rules (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Knoxville for details.

Water Use Rules

Lawn Watering Restrictions: Knoxville Utilities Board encourages efficient outdoor watering through voluntary schedules and conservation programs, but it does not impose mandatory citywide lawn watering bans absent regional drought..

Also covered: Leak Reporting Duty (moderate). See the full water use rules guide for Knoxville for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Knoxville Tree Code Chapter 38 protects trees in rights-of-way, parks, and on commercial sites, requiring permits before removal and replacement plantings when trees are taken down..

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Knoxville for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Massage Establishments: Massage therapists practicing in Knoxville need a Tennessee state license through the Massage Licensure Board plus a city business license through Chapter 8 of the City Code..

Also covered: Pawnbrokers (moderate), Tobacco Retail License (moderate), Tattoo & Body Modification (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Knoxville for details.

Public Conduct

Public Marijuana Use: Tennessee has not legalized recreational or medical marijuana, so all public cannabis use in Knoxville is illegal under state law TCA 39-17-418, with possession of any amount a criminal offense..

Also covered: Skateboarding Rules (moderate), Public Urination (moderate), Public Alcohol Use (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Knoxville for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Tennessee TCA 7-68-101 prohibits sanctuary city policies statewide, requiring Knoxville and Knox County to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and honor ICE detainer requests..

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Knoxville hotels and short-term rentals collect roughly 15 percent in lodging taxes: 3 percent city, 5 percent Knox County, and 7 percent Tennessee state sales tax, plus local option amounts..

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: Tennessee law TCA 50-2-202 preempts cities from setting minimum wages above the federal floor of 7.25 dollars per hour, so Knoxville cannot adopt a local minimum wage..

Also covered: Paid Leave Preemption (permissive). See the full employment preemption guide for Knoxville for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Owner Occupancy: Recode Knoxville Article 10 requires that one of the two units on an ADU property - either the principal dwelling or the ADU - be occupied by the property owner as their primary residence. Both units cannot be rented to non-owners simultaneously.

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), Tiny Homes (moderate), ADU Impact Fees (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Knoxville for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: Knoxville follows the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code for pool safety including anti-entrapment drain covers, barriers, and electrical grounding. Permits and inspections are required..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Fencing Requirements (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Knoxville for details.

Firearms

Local Firearms Preemption: Knoxville cannot enact local firearm ordinances — Tennessee Code Section 39-17-1314 preempts the entire field of firearm transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, and ammunition regulation. Statewide rules apply uniformly inside Knoxville..

Outdoor Cooking

Outdoor Kitchen Permits: Permanent outdoor kitchens in Knoxville require Plans Review & Inspections permits when they include gas lines, plumbing, electrical work, or structures. Natural gas connections to a built-in grill require a Mechanical/Gas Permit and a Tennessee-licensed contractor.

Also covered: Smoker Rules (moderate), BBQ & Propane Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Knoxville for details.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday Light Rules: Knoxville has no dedicated City Code ordinance regulating the timing, brightness, or quantity of residential holiday light displays. General electrical safety, nuisance, and historic-district rules apply.

Also covered: Inflatable Display Rules (permissive), Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Knoxville for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Knoxville enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours..

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Knoxville. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.