Building Setbacks & Zoning in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Chattanooga, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In Chattanooga's RN-1-7.5 Residential Neighborhood Zone, Table 38-16.5 sets a 25-foot front and rear setback, a 25-foot corner side setback, and just 5 feet on an interior side yard, with a lesser standard on undeveloped blocks.
Chattanooga RN-1-7.5 Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 38-16, Table 38-16.5 (RN-1-7.5 Zone)
Minimum Front Setback 1 25' or average setback (See Sec. 38-10 (l) (2) (iv)), whichever is less ... Where adjacent lots are not developed, 25' ... Minimum Interior Side Setback 5' ... Minimum Corner Side Setback 25' ... Minimum Rear Setback 25'
Structure Height Limits
Chattanooga's Table 38-16.3 caps residential building height at 35 feet across its RN-1 through RN-3 zones, with a step-down rule near single-family districts limiting even taller mixed-use structures within 35 feet of the boundary.
Chattanooga 35-Foot Height Limit
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 38-16, Table 38-16.3
Maximum Building Height1 35' 35' 35' 35' 35' 35' MU: 65' 1 Maximum height of a structure is limited to 35' within 35' of an RN-1-7.5, RN-1-6, RN-1-5, RN-1-3, RN-2, TRN-1, or TRN-2 zone. This limitation applies only to that portion of a structure within the 35' distance.
Lot Coverage Limits
Chattanooga's Table 38-16.1 dimensional standards cap how much of a residential lot a building can cover: 60 percent for residential development in every RN and TRN zone, dropping to 50 percent when the lot carries a nonresidential use (60 percent stays in TRN-3). Townhouses in RN-2, RN-3, TRN-2, TRN-3 and TRN-4 are exempt from the coverage cap entirely under Zoning Code Sec. 38-16.
Chattanooga Residential Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 38-16, Table 38-16.1 & Table 38-16.2
(a)Table 38-16.1: Residential Zone Dimensional Standards establishes the dimensional standards for the residential zones. These regulations apply to all uses within each zone unless a different standard is listed for a specific use. Table 38-16.1: Residential Zones Dimensional Standards, Maximum Building Coverage (RN-1-7.5 | RN-1-6 | RN-1-5 | RN-1-3 | RN-2 | RN-3): 60% NR: 50% | 60% NR: 50% | ...
Looking for Hamilton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chattanooga city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Hamilton County →