Tree Protection in Knoxville, TN (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Knoxville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Knoxville requires a permit from the urban forester before removing or heavily pruning any tree on the State Champion Tree list or designated as a landmark or historic tree.
Knoxville Heritage & Landmark Tree Protection
Some RestrictionsKnoxville Code of Ordinances § 14-35(a) (Code 1962, § 22-5(c); Ord. No. O-161-2021, § 11, 12-14-21)
No living tree within the city designated on the State of Tennessee Champion Tree list or designated as a landmark, or historic tree by the State of Tennessee or designated organization, shall be removed or otherwise substantially altered by pruning, trimming, or otherwise cutting more than twenty (20) percent of the woody area of such tree without first obtaining a permit from the urban forest...
Parkway Planting
Knoxville bars new street trees within 10 feet of fire hydrants, 30 feet of an intersection, and sets minimum treelawn widths for medium and large trees.
Knoxville Street Tree Planting Standards
Some RestrictionsKnoxville Code of Ordinances § 14-59(b) (Ord. No. O-88-2014, § 8, 5-13-14; Ord. No. O-161-2021, § 21, 12-14-21)
No trees shall be planted closer than ten (10) feet to any fire equipment including water meters, fire hydrants, and post indicator valves. No tree shall be planted within thirty (30) feet of a street intersection. Public tree planting that will affect utility operations or maintenance of their safety clearances shall be approved by the affected utility owner. A treelawn should be at least four...
Looking for Knox County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Knoxville city rules.
Tree Protection in Knox County →