Property Maintenance in Knox County, TN (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Knox County, Tennessee.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Knox County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Property Blight

Knox County adopted Tennessee's blighted-property statute wholesale, letting the code official order an owner to fix a vacant, blighted or deteriorated property within thirty days, then refer an uncorrected property to the county's Vacant Property Review Commission, which can certify it to the county commission for eminent domain acquisition.

Blighted and Deteriorated Property Rules in Knox County

Significant Restrictions

Knox County Code § 10-92 (2018 IPMC Amendments), Ch. 11 §§ 1101, 1104

Section 1101. Adoption of State Law. Blighted or deteriorated properties in this county create a need to exercise the authority contained in title 13, chapter 21, part 2 of the Tennessee Code Annotated governing the acquisition, holding, clearing, maintenance, and disposition of property determined to be blighted or deteriorated; therefore, Knox County adopts the provisions of said title, chapt...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Knox County's Lot Cleanliness chapter of the 2018 IPMC amendments declares overgrown vegetation and accumulated debris a nuisance, caps uncultivated weeds along a lot's public-facing edge at twelve inches, and requires subdivided vacant lots to be kept mowed or maintained with a ten-foot perimeter. Code Administration abates violations after a ten-day notice.

Vacant Lot Weeds and Debris Rules in Knox County

Some Restrictions

Knox County Code § 10-92 (2018 IPMC Amendments), Ch. 9 §§ 901, 903, 904

Section 901. Declaration of Nuisance. The existence of trees, vines, grass, underbrush or the accumulation of debris, trash, litter, garbage, or any combination of the preceding elements, or a vacant dilapidated building or structure, so as to endanger the health, safety or welfare of other citizens, or to encourage the infestation of rats and other harmful animals is a nuisance subject to abat...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Property Maintenance by City in Knox County

1 cities in Knox County have their own property maintenance rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

KnoxvillePop. 190,740

2 verified rules • Property Blight, Vacant Lot Maintenance

All Knox County ordinances

See every category we cover for Knox County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Knox County Ordinance Hub →