Landscaping Rules in Knox County, TN (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Knox County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Knox County does not require homeowners to get a permit to remove trees from their own property. Tree preservation is enforced only through development landscaping plans, not through a countywide tree-permit ordinance.
No residential tree-removal permit in unincorporated Knox County
Some RestrictionsKnox County Zoning Ordinance, buffer-yard tree conservation requirement
Existing trees that shall be conserved to create the buffer and other screening shall be identified on the landscaping plan.
Weed Ordinances
In unincorporated Knox County, grass and weeds overgrown by more than 12 inches in a residential area violate the county's dirty lot ordinance. Code Administration inspects on complaint, posts violations, and can bill cleanup costs to the owner if the property is not mowed after notice.
Overgrown Grass and Weeds Rules in Knox County
Some RestrictionsKnox County Dirty Lot Ordinance (Code Administration)
Overgrown Grass Complaint - When grass is overgrown by more than 12", in a residential area, it is in violation of the dirty lot ordinance. ... Lawns need to be maintained. Grass is overgrown when it exceeds 12".
Native Plants
Knox County's Lot Cleanliness chapter carves out a defined 'Natural Landscaped Area' of native plants from its weed and debris nuisance rules, so a deliberately designed native garden is not the same thing as the rank, uncultivated growth the chapter targets. Code Administration applies the distinction when investigating a lot-cleanliness complaint.
Native Plant Landscaping Allowance in Knox County
Few RestrictionsKnox County Code § 10-92 (2018 IPMC Amendments), Ch. 9 § 902
Section 902. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the following meanings: ... 2.Natural Landscaped Area. Natural landscaping, also called native gardening, is the use of native plants, including trees, shrubs, ground cover, and grasses which are indigenous to the geographic area of the garden which is either natural...
Landscaping Rules by City in Knox County
1 cities in Knox County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Knox County ordinances
See every category we cover for Knox County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Knox County Ordinance Hub →