Accessory Structures in Knox County, TN (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Knox County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Knox County's own zoning ordinance defines a garage apartment as a dwelling unit built above a private garage, but whether you can build one depends on your zone. The RAE Exclusive Residential zone caps every lot at one house and excludes garage apartments entirely; the RA Low Density zone allows one only with Planning Commission use-on-review approval.
Garage Apartment Zoning Rules in Knox County
Significant RestrictionsKnox County Zoning Ordinance §§ 5.10.10.A, 5.11.03.A, 5.11.07.B, 5.11.09.D
5.10.10. Intensity of use. A.Not more than one (1) house shall be permitted on any lot.B.For each dwelling, and buildings accessory thereto, served by a sanitary sewer system there shall be a lot area of not less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet.C.For each dwelling and buildings accessory thereto, not served by a sanitary sewer system, there shall be a minimum lot area of twenty thousand ...
Shed & Carport Rules
A carport in unincorporated Knox County is an accessory structure. It cannot extend into the front yard, must keep an 8-foot side yard (5 feet on deep lots) and at least 5 feet from the rear line, and cannot exceed 18 feet in height. Attached carports follow the main-house setbacks.
Carport Placement and Height in Knox County
Some RestrictionsKnox County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 5.10.06.C
For unattached buildings of accessory use there shall be a side yard of not less than eight (8) feet; provided, however, that unattached one-story buildings of accessory use shall not be required to set back more than five (5) feet from an interior side lot line.
Garage Conversions
Converting a garage into living space in unincorporated Knox County must keep the lot to one dwelling and cannot create a separate second unit. A home occupation may run inside the main dwelling, but not in any accessory building. A residential building permit is required for structural or electrical work.
Converting a Garage in Unincorporated Knox County
Some RestrictionsKnox County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.90.01.D
No home occupation shall be conducted in any accessory building.
Tiny Homes
The Knox County Zoning Ordinance has no separate tiny-home category. A tiny home is treated as a dwelling, and the ordinance allows only one house per lot in residential zones, so a tiny home cannot be added as a second dwelling. It must also meet minimum lot area and the
Tiny Homes and Second Dwellings in Knox County
Some RestrictionsKnox County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 5.10.10.A
Not more than one (1) house shall be permitted on any lot.
Accessory Structures by City in Knox County
1 cities in Knox County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Knox County ordinances
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