In the RA Low Density Residential Zone, Knox County requires a 35-foot front yard, side yards of 8 feet for single-story and 12 feet for taller dwellings, and a 25-foot rear yard. Detached accessory buildings may sit as close as 5 feet to side and rear lot lines.
Setbacks vary by zoning district. In the RA Low Density Residential Zone, the most common single-family district, Section 5.11.05 sets a minimum front yard of 35 feet for dwellings. Section 5.11.06 requires side yards of at least 8 feet for single-story dwellings on interior lots and 12 feet for dwellings of more than one story; detached accessory buildings need an 8-foot side yard, reduced to 5 feet when set more than 90 feet behind the front line. Section 5.11.07 requires a 25-foot rear yard for main buildings, and detached accessory buildings must sit at least 5 feet from any rear lot line. Other districts differ.
Building inside a required setback violates the Zoning Ordinance and carries a $10-$500 civil penalty assessed by Code Administration and Enforcement (Sec. 6.20.02), with each day a separate offense.
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Knoxville, TN
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