Chattanooga, TN Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Section 38-16(a) states that the dimensional tables apply to all uses within each residential zone unless a different standard is listed for a specific use. Table 38-16.1 covers the six RN zones (RN-1-7.5, RN-1-6, RN-1-5, RN-1-3, RN-2 and RN-3) and Table 38-16.2 covers the four TRN zones (TRN-1 through TRN-4). Every one of the ten zones sets the base cap at 60%. Nonresidential uses (NR, as abbreviated in Section 38-8) are held to 50% in nine of the zones, and TRN-3 is the single zone where the NR cap rises to 60%. Townhouses (TH) are exempt from the 60% standard in RN-2, RN-3, TRN-2, TRN-3 and TRN-4. The exemption is not printed for the RN-1 zones or for TRN-1.

The percentage is measured under the Section 38-10(c) definition. Building coverage is the area of a lot covered by roofed buildings and structures, measured from the outside of the exterior wall at the ground floor, and it includes covered porches and patios, detached accessory structures and any projecting structures above ground level. For a covered porch or patio, the entire area under the roof counts. Uncovered paved parking areas and driveways, uncovered walkways, roof overhangs, swimming pools, uncovered steps, terraces and decks, and architectural projections are left out of the calculation. Freestanding solar panels are excluded from both building coverage and impervious surface coverage under Section 38-51.

Cottage court developments run on a separate cap. Under Section 38-42(i), the cottage court development as a whole is limited to a maximum building coverage of 50% and a maximum impervious surface coverage of 65%.

A lot that cannot meet the percentage has two routes. The Director of the Land Development Office can grant an administrative modification of 10% or less to a dimensional standard (Section 38-77), and every larger request goes to the Board of Appeals as a variance (Section 38-76).