5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Knox County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Knox County, the Zoning Ordinance allows only one house per lot, so a separate second dwelling or ADU is not permitted by right. Home occupations are allowed inside the main dwelling. Inside Knoxville, the city's own code permits one ADU by right.
Knox County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 5.10.10.A
Not more than one (1) house shall be permitted on any lot.
In unincorporated Knox County, accessory buildings including sheds cannot exceed 18 feet in height, must sit at least 5 feet from a rear lot line, and cannot extend into the front yard. One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet are exempt from a building permit but still must meet
Knox County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 5.10.12
Accessory buildings shall not exceed eighteen (18) feet in height; provided, however, the eighteen (18) feet height limitation may be exceeded to conform the pitch of the accessory building roof to the pitch of the roof of the principal use.
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.
Knox County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.90.01.D
No home occupation shall be conducted in any accessory building.
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.
Knox 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.
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
Knox County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 5.10.10.A
Not more than one (1) house shall be permitted on any lot.
1 cities in Knox County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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