Knoxville, TN Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- EN–RN-3 height cap
- 35 feet
- RN-4 multifamily
- 45 ft (35 ft near SF homes)
- RN-6/RN-7 multifamily
- up to 65 feet
- Measured from
- grade at front building line
Summary
Knoxville caps residential structures at 35 feet in the EN, RN-1, RN-2, RN-3, and RN-4 single-family zoning districts, measured from grade at the front building line, per the city's Table 4-2 dimensional standards.
Table 4-2: Residential Districts Dimensional Standards EN RN-1 RN-2 RN-3 RN-4 Bulk Minimum Lot Area 22,000 sf SF: 10,000 sf 2F: 15,000 sf Nonresidential: 20,000 sf SF: 5,000 sf 2F: 10,000 sf Nonresidential: 10,000 sf SF: 5,000 sf SF-A: 3,750 2F: 7,500 sf TH: 12,000 sf for 3 du, 3,000 sf each additional du Nonresidential: 10,000 sf SF: 5,000 sf SF-A: 3,500 2F: 7,000 sf TH: 3,000 sf/du MF: 2,000 sf/du Nonresidential: 10,000 sf Maximum Lot Area N/A N/A N/A N/A MF: 40,000 sf Minimum Lot Width SF: 100' Nonresidential: 100' 75' 50' Nonresidential: 75' SF, 2F: 50' SF-A: 25'/du TH: 20'/du Nonresidential: 75' SF, 2F: 50' SF-A: 25'/du TH: 20'/du MF: 60' Nonresidential: 75'
Maximum Building Height 35' 35' 35' 35' SF, SF-A, 2F, TH: 35' MF: 45', unless adjacent to a single-family dwelling, then 35'
Maximum Building Coverage 25% 30% 30% 35% TH & Nonresidential: 50% 35% TH, MF, Nonresidential: 50% Maximum Impervious Surface 35% 40% 40% Nonresidential: 50% 45% TH & Nonresidential: 60% 45% TH, MF, Nonresidential: 60% Setbacks
Minimum Front Setback +/- 10' of the average of blockface; in no case less than 40' +/- 10' of the average of blockface; in no case less than 25' 20', or the average of blockface, whichever is less; in no case less than 10' 10' or the average of blockface, whichever is less 10' or the average of blockface, whichever is less Minimum Interior Side Setback 10% of lot width
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
Table 4-2 of Knoxville's zoning code sets a 35-foot maximum building height in the EN, RN-1, RN-2, and RN-3 districts. In RN-4, single-family and townhouse structures stay at 35 feet, while multifamily buildings can reach 45 feet, or 35 feet next to a single-family home. Height climbs further in denser districts: RN-5 multifamily tops out at 55 feet, RN-6 and RN-7 multifamily at 65 feet. Height is measured vertically from grade at the front building line to the roofline, per Section 2.4.E's Rules of Measurement.
Violations & Fines
Building permits are refused for plans exceeding the district height limit; the Board of Zoning Appeals must approve any variance, and the Director of Plans Review and Building Inspections enforces compliance through inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in Knoxville, TN?
Can apartment buildings be taller than houses?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
Compare Knoxville to another location·View the Tennessee building setbacks & zoning overview
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