Building Setbacks & Zoning in Hamilton County, TN (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Hamilton County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Hamilton County's R-1 Single-Family Residential District requires a 25-foot front yard, 10-foot side yards and a 25-foot rear yard under Zoning Regulations § 202, with a reduced 5-foot side yard in subdivisions platted with new streets after January 1, 2017. Resolution 721-45's § 203 sets 20-foot front and rear yards and a 5-foot side yard for lots recorded on or after July 21, 2021.
Hamilton County R-1 Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsHamilton County Zoning Regulations, Art. IV, R-1 Single-Family Residential District, § 202.C-E
C. Front Yard There shall be a front yard of a minimum depth of twenty-five (25) feet. D. Side Yard (1) There shall be a side yard of a minimum depth of ten (10) feet on each side of the lot. (2) In new subdivisions with new streets recorded after January 1, 2017,the minimum side yard setback shall be five (5) feet. ... E. Rear Yard There shall be a rear yard of a minimum depth of twenty-five (...
Structure Height Limits
In Hamilton County's unincorporated R-1 Single-Family Residential District, Zoning Regulations § 204 caps buildings at two and one-half stories or 35 feet, except where Articles V and VI allow more. The A-1 Agricultural District carries the identical 35-foot, 2.5-story cap under its own § 103.
Hamilton County R-1 Building Height Limit
Some RestrictionsHamilton County Zoning Regulations, Art. IV, R-1 Single-Family Residential District, § 204
204. Height Regulations Except as provided in ARTICLES V and VI, no building shall exceed two and one-half stories or 35 feet in height.
Lot Coverage Limits
In Hamilton County's unincorporated R-1 Single-Family Residential District, no dwelling may cover more than 35% of its lot and no building may cover more than 50%, under Zoning Regulations § 202. For any lot or parcel recorded in the Register of Deeds Office on or after July 21, 2021, Resolution 721-45 raises those caps to 45% dwelling and 55% building coverage under § 203.
Hamilton County R-1 Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsHamilton County Zoning Regulations, Art. IV, R-1 Single-Family Residential District, §§ 202.B & 203
202. Area Regulations ... B. Percentage of Lot Occupancy No dwelling shall occupy more than thirty-five percent (35%) of its lot, and no building shall occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of its lot. ... 203. Area Regulations for Lots or Parcels Recorded On, Or After July 21, 2021 ... For Lots or parcels recorded in the Hamilton County Register of Deeds Office prior to July 21, 2021 the minimu...
Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Hamilton County
1 cities in Hamilton County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Hamilton County ordinances
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