Pop. 190,740 · Knox County
Knoxville permits construction work from 7 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. Sunday construction is restricted in residential areas.
Knoxville regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. TN Code §39-17-305 applies.
Knoxville regulates noise under Chapter 18 of the city code. The ordinance prohibits unreasonable noise that disturbs the peace and applies to all properties equally, including short-term rentals. Nighttime hours carry stricter enforcement.
Knoxville considers excessive barking a nuisance under Chapter 5 (Animals). Animal control handles complaints and may issue citations to owners who fail to control persistent barking.
Knox County code requires every motor vehicle to have a working muffler and bans muffler cutouts on county roadways. Excessive or unusual vehicle noise from a defective or modified exhaust is prohibited, mirroring Tennessee state law TCA 55-9-202.
Knox County does not regulate aircraft noise; airspace and aircraft operations are governed by the FAA under federal preemption. The county zoning noise standards apply only to ground-based uses, not overflights.
Knox County has no ordinance restricting leaf blowers by decibel, model, or time of day. Lawn-maintenance noise is not separately regulated in the unincorporated county; only nuisance-level noise falls under state disorderly-conduct law.
Knox County's zoning ordinance sets octave-band sound-pressure limits at the property line for uses subject to performance standards, ranging from 77 dB at 63 Hz down to 39 dB at 8,000 Hz, measured on a slow-response sound level meter.
Knox County zoning bars any use from creating a sound level at or beyond its lot boundary exceeding the octave-band performance-standard limits. Short bursts, safety signals, railroads, and construction are exempt; measurement uses a slow-response sound meter.
For permitted rural-retreat event uses, Knox County zoning caps noise at any property line to 40 dB between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 50 dB at all other times. General backyard outdoor music has no dedicated county rule beyond state disorderly-conduct law.
Fire pits in Knoxville must be at least 25 feet from structures (15 feet for portable outdoor fireplaces). Fires must be attended with extinguishment on site and must not exceed 24 inches in flame height.
Knoxville City Code Chapter 16 and the property-maintenance code require owners to keep yards clear of dead vegetation, accumulated brush, and other fire fuels, with Knoxville Fire Department inspecting flagged properties and Codes Enforcement abating overgrown lots.
Knoxville City Code Chapter 16 incorporates Tennessee fire-code standards for residential propane storage, capping tank size at homes, requiring setbacks from buildings and ignition sources, and giving Knoxville Fire Department authority to inspect installations.
Knoxville does not maintain formal wildland-urban interface zones, but properties near Ijams Nature Center, House Mountain, and the Smoky Mountains foothills face seasonal wildfire risk regulated through Tennessee Division of Forestry burn permits and Knoxville Fire Department response.
Tennessee law permits consumer fireworks. Knoxville allows the sale and use of fireworks but imposes local regulations on time of use and proximity to structures. Users must be at least 16 years old.
Knoxville allows recreational fires and outdoor burning under specific conditions. Fires must be at least 25 feet from structures, attended at all times, and comply with Knox County air quality regulations.
Knox County follows the 2018 International codes for smoke-alarm placement in new and renovated homes. Alarms are required in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. The county fire department also offers free smoke detectors to residents on request.
Backyard campfires and bonfires are allowed in Knox County as recreational fires without an open-burning permit. Keep them attended, away from structures, and burn only clean wood. From Oct 15 to May 15 a free TN Forestry burn permit is required for fires near woodland.
Knoxville regulates storage of RVs and boats on residential properties. Recreational vehicles should be stored in driveways or behind the home and may not be used as living quarters.
Knoxville requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces. Parking on lawns is prohibited. Driveways must not block sidewalks when vehicles are parked.
Knoxville regulates on-street parking through posted signs and time limits. Downtown areas have metered parking. Residential areas have varying restrictions depending on the neighborhood.
Knoxville restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas. Heavy trucks and equipment may not be stored on residential streets overnight.
Knox County has no ordinance letting residents paint curbs to reserve parking, and there is no county color-code for painted curbs in the unincorporated area. Official curb markings and traffic control on public roads are set by the county/state, not by private property owners.
Under Knox County Ordinance O-12-09-101, an abandoned or inoperable vehicle cannot be stored on public or private property for more than 48 hours. An inoperable vehicle lacks a running engine, four tires, a battery, or valid plates. Codes officers tag violators for removal.
There is no blanket Knox County ban on parking a vehicle overnight on a residential street or driveway in the unincorporated county. The main limits are the abandoned/inoperable-vehicle 48-hour rule and zoning limits on RVs and commercial vehicles. Knoxville and Farragut set their own overnight rules.
Knox County has no county-specific ordinance mandating or restricting residential EV charging stations. Installations follow the adopted electrical code and require an electrical permit through Knox County Codes Administration. Public charging is governed by state and utility standards.
Knox County zoning does not create residential curbside loading zones. Off-street parking and loading for non-residential uses must be provided on-site under the off-street parking requirements. On county roads, the Sheriff enforces obstruction of travel lanes.
Knox County zoning caps recreational vehicles and trailers at 40 feet long and 10 feet wide (one per household), and limits commercial vehicles to one per household under 1.5 tons. Larger or additional oversized vehicles are not permitted in residential zones.
Knoxville regulates tree removal on development sites through its zoning code. Private property trees generally do not require permits for removal outside of development projects.
Knoxville property owners are responsible for maintaining trees on their property and keeping clearance over sidewalks and streets. The city manages public trees.
Knoxville requires property owners to maintain yards and keep grass at a reasonable height. The city's property maintenance code addresses overgrown vegetation that creates nuisance conditions.
Knoxville does not typically impose mandatory outdoor watering restrictions. The Tennessee Valley region generally has adequate rainfall. Voluntary conservation is encouraged during dry periods.
Knoxville enforces weed abatement under TN Code §6-54-113. Overgrown properties subject to city abatement at owner’s expense.
Knox County has no ordinance prohibiting or specially regulating residential rain barrels or rainwater collection. Tennessee does not restrict rainwater harvesting, so homeowners may collect roof runoff for outdoor use.
Knox County does not prohibit backyard composting for households. The zoning code only regulates commercial-scale composting facilities, which are solid-waste processing uses permitted on review, not home compost piles.
Knox County has no ordinance regulating artificial turf on residential property. Synthetic lawns are neither required nor banned; large installations should account for the county's stormwater and grading rules.
Knox County has no rule requiring native plants in home yards, but its zoning ordinance requires native shade trees in new parking lots and along streets in certain developments. Home gardeners choose freely.
Exotic pet ownership in Knoxville is regulated by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The state classifies animals into categories requiring various levels of permits. Large carnivores and venomous species are restricted.
Knoxville does not have breed-specific legislation. No dog breeds are banned. Tennessee state law does not preempt local BSL, but Knoxville has not enacted any.
Knoxville City Code Chapter 5 limits livestock and farm animals within city limits, with backyard chickens permitted under conditions tied to lot size, coop placement, and the residential zoning district under the Recode Knoxville ordinance.
Knoxville treats cats more leniently than dogs, but Chapter 5 still requires rabies vaccination, prohibits nuisance behavior, and authorizes Young-Williams Animal Center to impound stray, injured, or neglected cats found roaming on public or private property.
Knoxville does not require pets to be microchipped, but Young-Williams Animal Center microchips all adopted dogs and cats and uses chip scans to reunite strays with owners, making microchipping a strongly recommended best practice citywide.
Knoxville and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency rules discourage feeding wild deer, raccoons, and bears, particularly given the city's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains, where intentional feeding can trigger nuisance-animal abatement and state wildlife violations.
Knoxville City Code Chapter 5 limits the number of dogs and cats that can be kept at a single residence without a kennel permit, with thresholds tied to lot size and zoning, and excess animals trigger commercial-kennel review under Recode Knoxville.
Knoxville treats animal hoarding as a cruelty and public-health issue under Chapter 5 and Tennessee state cruelty statutes, with Young-Williams Animal Center, Knox County Health Department, and Knoxville Police Department able to seize animals from severely overcrowded properties.
Knoxville does not impose a blanket mandatory spay-neuter law on all pets, but Young-Williams Animal Center requires sterilization for adopted dogs and cats, and unaltered animals impounded multiple times can face mandatory sterilization before release.
Knoxville requires dogs to be on a leash or under restraint when off the owner's property. Dogs running at large may be impounded by animal control.
Beekeeping is generally permitted in Knoxville. Tennessee has a supportive beekeeping framework through the state Department of Agriculture. Hives should be managed to prevent nuisance.
Keeping livestock in unincorporated Knox County is a zoning question. The Agricultural (A) zone permits horses, cattle, goats, and other farm animals; residential zones generally prohibit them. Tennessee's Right-to-Farm Act (TCA 43-26-103) presumes an established, compliant farm operation is not a nuisance.
Knoxville may require designated parking for STR guests. Operators should provide off-street parking information and ensure guests comply with city parking regulations.
Knoxville short-term rentals limit overnight occupancy to two adults per bedroom plus two additional guests, with hard caps tied to bedroom count and parking availability under Chapter 8 STR rules.
Type 1 Knoxville short-term rental operators must use the property as their primary residence and remain reachable, while Type 2 operators must designate a local responsible party available within set response windows for complaints.
Knoxville Type 1 short-term rental permits are restricted to the owner's primary residence, while Type 2 non-owner-occupied permits are allowed only in commercial and select mixed-use zones under Chapter 8.
Knoxville STR permits can be revoked after repeated documented violations of noise, occupancy, parking, or trash rules, with revoked operators barred from reapplying for a defined cooling-off period under Chapter 8 enforcement.
Knoxville requires short-term rental operators to maintain liability insurance covering commercial-style transient lodging use, with proof submitted at permit application and renewal under Chapter 8 STR rules.
Knoxville requires all short-term rental operators to obtain a permit. The STR ordinance took effect in January 2018. Permits are required, with occupancy caps based on bedroom count, and caps on STR units in certain zones.
STR guests in Knoxville are subject to the same noise ordinance as all residents. There are no special STR noise rules. Chapter 18 applies equally to permanent residents and rental guests.
Knoxville STR operators must collect and remit hotel/motel tax and Tennessee state sales tax. The combined tax includes state, county, and city portions. Permit and business license fees also apply.
Unincorporated Knox County does not register short-term rentals. There is no county STR registry or annual renewal. Operators must, however, register with the Knox County Clerk to remit the county's hotel/motel occupancy tax.
Unincorporated Knox County places no cap on the number of nights a property may be rented short-term. There is no minimum-stay or maximum-nights-per-year rule because the county has no STR ordinance.
Knoxville permits home occupations in residential zones under the zoning code (Article 9). The business must be incidental to residential use and not alter the home's residential character.
Home businesses in Knoxville must not generate customer traffic exceeding normal residential levels. Retail sales and frequent client visits are restricted.
Home occupations in Knoxville may not display exterior business signage visible from outside the property. The residential character must be preserved.
Knox County requires approval before any home occupation begins. Submit a summary letter to the Zoning Department stating the business type, address, employees, and whether there will be deliveries. The Department of Code Administration must approve the home occupation prior to starting.
Knox County sets no separate cottage-food rule. Tennessee's Food Freedom Act (T.C.A. 53-1-118) lets you make and sell most homemade, non-hazardous foods without a state license, permit, or inspection. Zoning still treats it as a home occupation, so 'cooking and preserving' must meet the section 4.90 conditions.
A small family home daycare fits within a home occupation, but a group day care home in unincorporated Knox County is a use-permitted-on-review under Zoning Ordinance 4.91, requiring a 10,000 sq ft lot, 30 sq ft of indoor play space per child, and a fenced play area. State DHS licensing
Knoxville limits front yard fences to 4 feet and side/rear yard fences to 6-8 feet depending on the zoning district. The zoning code (Article 10) establishes standards for fences and walls.
In Knoxville's urban residential areas, each property owner is responsible for their own fence. Tennessee does not have a mandatory fence cost-sharing law. Disputes are civil matters.
Standard residential fences under 6 feet in Knoxville generally do not require a building permit. Masonry walls, fences over 6 feet, and retaining walls require permits.
Knox County's Zoning Ordinance sets no general residential retaining-wall height, but structural walls fall under the county's building-permit requirement, and grading that affects drainage may require a separate grading permit from the county hydrologist.
The Knox County Zoning Ordinance sets no restrictions on residential fence materials such as wood, vinyl, chain-link, or masonry. Materials are specified only where screening is required, which must be an opaque ornamental fence, wall, or dense evergreen hedge.
Knox County does not require ordinary residential fences, but its Zoning Ordinance mandates opaque screening fences in specific cases, such as a 5-to-6-foot enclosure around off-street parking approved in a restrictive zone and a 7-foot enclosure around mobile home parks.
Knox County zoning does not dictate fence materials for ordinary residential lots, so wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain-link, and masonry are all allowed. Confirm building-permit and screening rules with Code Administration, and check HOA covenants before you build.
Tennessee adopts the International Residential Code, which mandates four-foot barriers around residential pools statewide. Local jurisdictions may add stricter rules but cannot weaken the state minimum.
Knoxville Zoning Code Article 10.3.G allows carports only over a driveway in the interior side, corner side, or rear yard. They are capped at 22 feet long, must be open on at least two sides, and must use permanent materials. A building permit is required.
Knoxville has no separate tiny-home ordinance. A site-built tiny home is regulated as a single-family dwelling or as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) under Article 10.3.B. Detached ADUs require a 5,000 sq ft lot, are capped at 600-1,200 sq ft, and limited to two bedrooms.
Knoxville does not impose a dedicated ADU impact fee. Standard building permit fees through Plans Review & Inspections apply based on construction valuation, with separate trade permits for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and gas work. Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) tap fees apply only if a new water, sewer, gas, or electric service is required. Tennessee has no statewide ADU fee-waiver statute.
Knoxville allows one Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) by-right with any single-family dwelling under the Recode Knoxville Zoning Ordinance, Article 10 (Use Standards). ADUs may be internal, attached, or detached. Building permits go through the City of Knoxville Plans Review & Inspections Division. The Recode Knoxville ordinance took effect January 1, 2020 after City Council adoption on August 13, 2019.
Recode Knoxville Article 10 requires that one of the two units on an ADU property - either the principal dwelling or the ADU - be occupied by the property owner as their primary residence. Both units cannot be rented to non-owners simultaneously. Tennessee has not preempted owner-occupancy requirements, so Knoxville's rule is enforceable. Compliance is verified at permitting and during short-term rental review.
Knoxville ADUs may be rented long-term only when the owner occupies the other unit on the property. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) require a Short-Term Rental Unit (STRU) permit under Knoxville City Code Chapter 16, Article XV. The ordinance distinguishes Type 1 (Owner-Occupied) from Type 2 (Non-Owner-Occupied) permits, with Type 2 restricted in residential districts. Tennessee's STR Act (TCA 13-7-602) preempts cities from banning pre-2018 STRs.
Knoxville permits one ADU by right on any single-family lot. ADUs may be internal, attached, or detached, with standards for size, setbacks, owner occupancy, and parking.
Small sheds under 200 sq ft in Knoxville generally do not require a building permit. All structures must comply with zoning setbacks and height limits.
Garage conversions in Knoxville require building permits and must meet building code standards for habitable rooms. Converting to an ADU requires compliance with ADU regulations.
Knoxville requires a building permit from Plans Review and Inspections for any residential pool, hot tub, or spa over 24 inches deep. Review is under the adopted ISPSC and IRC Chapter 42, with the barrier and safety hardware reviewed in the same permit, and Article 10 accessory-structure setbacks apply.
Knoxville follows the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code for pool safety including anti-entrapment drain covers, barriers, and electrical grounding. Permits and inspections are required.
Above-ground pools in Knoxville must meet the same barrier and safety requirements as in-ground pools. Pools with walls at least 48 inches with lockable access may satisfy the barrier requirement.
Knoxville requires residential swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. The city has adopted the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
Knox County regulates hot tubs and spas under the same 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as pools. A permit is required, and the barrier, gate, and pool-water-alarm safety rules apply. Spas with a listed, locking safety cover may qualify for a barrier exemption under the ISPSC.
Elevators in Knoxville commercial and multi-family buildings fall under Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development elevator-inspection rules, with annual state inspections, mandatory licensed-mechanic maintenance contracts, and posted certificates required in each cab.
Knoxville City Code Chapter 6 adopts the Tennessee state building and fire codes, requiring automatic sprinkler systems in most new commercial and multi-family buildings above defined thresholds, with KFD reviewing plans and inspecting installations.
Knoxville City Code Chapter 19 housing standards require landlords and owners to keep dwellings free from rodents, roaches, and bed bugs, with Codes Enforcement issuing notices and Knox County Health Department supporting investigations of severe infestations.
Lead-based paint disclosure and renovation rules in Knoxville flow primarily from federal EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting standards and HUD lead-safe housing rules, with Knox County Health Department supporting childhood blood-lead investigations on pre-1978 properties.
Childcare centers in Knoxville must satisfy Tennessee Department of Human Services licensing, City Code Chapter 6 building standards, Chapter 16 fire-safety inspections, and zoning under Recode Knoxville for any home-based or commercial daycare operation.
Knoxville landlords follow Tennessee URLTA security deposit rules at TCA 66-28-301, which require separate accounting, written itemization of deductions, and prompt return of remaining funds after move-out.
Tennessee URLTA prohibits retaliation against tenants for asserting legal rights, but Knoxville has no separate tenant anti-harassment ordinance imposing additional damages or registration on landlords beyond the state framework.
Knoxville follows Tennessee URLTA at TCA 66-28, which permits no-fault non-renewal at lease end. The state does not require just-cause eviction, and local just-cause ordinances would be preempted.
Knoxville does not operate a general rental registration program. Property maintenance and minimum housing standards apply through Code Enforcement under Chapter 19, but there is no citywide rental license requirement.
Knoxville landlords may decline to renew a lease at term end without cause, and may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice under TCA 66-28-512, with no local prohibition.
Knoxville cannot impose rent control or rent stabilization. Tennessee Code Annotated 66-35-101 preempts municipalities from regulating private rental rates, fees, or lease terms tied to amount of rent.
Knoxville landlords are not required to accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Tennessee has no source-of-income protection and Knoxville has not adopted a local ordinance, so participation remains voluntary.
In URLTA counties, Tenn. Code 66-28-505 gives a tenant 14 days to cure nonpayment of rent or another remediable breach before the lease terminates. Dangerous or violent conduct allows a 3-day termination notice under 66-28-517. After termination, the landlord files a detainer warrant in court.
In URLTA counties, Tenn. Code 66-28-304 requires landlords to comply with building and housing codes, make repairs to keep the unit fit and habitable, keep common areas clean and safe, and provide waste receptacles in larger complexes. Tenants enforce these duties through the 66-28-501 remedies.
In URLTA counties, a Tennessee landlord must give at least 24 hours' notice before entering to show the unit to prospective tenants in the last 30 days of tenancy, may enter without notice in an emergency, and the tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for inspections and repairs.
In URLTA counties, Tenn. Code 66-28-201(d) caps any late fee at 10% of the rent past due and requires a five-day grace period before a fee may be charged. If the grace period ends on a Sunday or legal holiday, no fee applies if rent is paid the next business day.
In URLTA counties, Tenn. Code 66-28-512 lets either party end a month-to-month tenancy with at least 30 days' written notice before the periodic rental date, and a week-to-week tenancy with at least 10 days' written notice. Fixed-term leases end on their stated date.
Tennessee has no statute setting a rent-increase notice period, a rent-control limit, or a cap on how much a landlord may raise rent. The amount and timing of increases are governed entirely by the written lease and ordinary contract principles.
Tennessee adverse possession requires 7 years of possession when the claimant holds recorded color of title (Tenn. Code 28-2-101 to -102), or 20 years of open, continuous, hostile possession without color of title under the 28-2-103 limitation. Possession must be actual, exclusive, and notorious.
Knoxville pursues bridge and transitional housing through partnerships with KARM, Volunteer Ministry Center, and Knox County Coalition for the Homeless, with city funding, federal CoC dollars, and select shelter siting under residential and mixed-use zoning.
Knoxville prohibits obstruction of public sidewalks, doorways, and ADA paths under Chapter 32 streets rules, applying to encampments and sit-lie behavior in the central business district and high-pedestrian corridors.
Tennessee HB 1320 (2022) criminalizes camping on public property as a Class E felony statewide, with reduced misdemeanor penalties for some local property. Knoxville coordinates outreach before any enforcement and follows state procedure.
Tennessee has not legalized medical or recreational cannabis. Knoxville cannot license cannabis dispensaries. Only narrowly licensed hemp-derived cannabinoid retailers operating under the 2014 Hemp Act may sell products legally in the city.
Growing marijuana plants at home is illegal anywhere in Knoxville under Tennessee state law. Home cultivation of industrial hemp requires a state license and is generally limited to commercial agricultural operations.
Tennessee Public Chapter 423 of 2023 created licensing for hemp-derived cannabinoid retailers but does not impose statewide school buffers. Knoxville zoning treats them as general retail, with placement governed by underlying district rules.
Restaurants in Knoxville are inspected by the Knox County Health Department under Tennessee state food safety rules. Scores are posted publicly and follow-up inspections occur after low scores or critical violations.
Tennessee landlord-tenant law treats bed bug infestations as habitability concerns. Knoxville rental property owners must address infestations promptly when tenants report them, and the Health Department provides guidance.
Knoxville requires property owners to keep premises free of rodent harborage, including stored materials, garbage, and overgrown vegetation. Codes Enforcement and KCHD respond to complaints about infestations affecting nearby properties.
Knoxville residents and businesses must dispose of used syringes in puncture-resistant sharps containers. Knox County Health Department coordinates safe disposal options, and Tennessee permits authorized syringe services programs.
Knoxville does not mandate healthy food retail standards but supports access through the Office of Sustainability, mobile market partnerships, and zoning that allows urban agriculture and farmers markets in most districts.
Knoxville cannot ban polystyrene foam containers used for takeout food or beverages. Tennessee auxiliary container preemption blocks any local prohibition, fee, or mandatory alternative for foam packaging.
Knoxville cannot require plastic straws to be available only on request or ban them outright. The state auxiliary container preemption covers straws and stirrers along with bags, cups, and packaging.
Knoxville cannot ban or tax plastic carryout bags. Tennessee Code 68-211-1101 preempts local regulation of auxiliary containers, including bags, cups, and packaging, leaving choice to retailers and consumers.
Knoxville cannot require restaurants or delivery platforms to provide plastic utensils only on customer request. Tennessee auxiliary container preemption blocks the kind of skip-the-stuff ordinances seen in other states.
Knoxville cannot ban flavored tobacco or menthol cigarettes locally. Tennessee preempts local tobacco regulation under TCA 39-17-1551, leaving any flavor restrictions to state and federal authorities.
Tennessee raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21 in 2021, conforming to federal Tobacco 21 law. Knoxville retailers must verify ID for anyone under 30 and post age signage at registers.
Vape retailers in Knoxville need a Tennessee tobacco license, must follow age 21 sales rules, and operate under city business licensing. State law treats vapor products like tobacco for tax, retail, and signage purposes.
Knoxville enforces a stormwater management ordinance protecting Tennessee, Holston, and French Broad rivers from polluted runoff, requiring permits for land disturbance and post-construction water quality controls.
Earth-moving in Knoxville requires a grading permit when volumes or slopes exceed Land Development Manual thresholds, ensuring drainage flows safely on site without harming neighbors.
Knoxville adopted a Climate Action Plan with citywide emissions targets, an Office of Sustainability, and voluntary programs that influence permitting, fleets, and building energy choices.
Knoxville requires erosion prevention and sediment control measures on every active construction site to keep silt out of streets, storm inlets, and the city river system.
Knox County and Knoxville encourage limited engine idling near schools and city facilities through Tennessee anti-idling guidance, but no blanket citywide idling fine ordinance exists.
Knoxville has FEMA-designated flood zones along the Tennessee River, Fort Loudoun Lake, and various creeks. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas must carry flood insurance and meet elevation requirements.
Recode Knoxville, adopted in 2020, replaced the 1962 zoning code with form-based standards, neighborhood districts, and clearer mixed-use rules grounded in the Knoxville-Knox County Comprehensive Plan.
Knoxville hillside and ridgetop protection rules limit grading, retaining walls, and tree loss on slopes greater than fifteen percent, protecting scenic East Tennessee terrain and reducing landslide risk.
Recode Knoxville offers limited density and parking incentives for projects that include income-restricted units, but Tennessee preempts mandatory inclusionary zoning, so all bonuses remain voluntary.
Knoxville regulates shared e-scooters under a permitted operator program with downtown geofencing, parking corrals, and rider limits aimed at the University of Tennessee and Old City corridors.
Knoxville manages downtown curbs by mixing metered parking, loading zones, valet stands, and rideshare pickup areas, with active enforcement around Market Square and the Old City.
Knoxville bicycle network includes bike lanes, greenways, and shared streets where motorists must give safe distance to cyclists and parking is prohibited inside marked lanes.
Knoxville Utilities Board encourages efficient outdoor watering through voluntary schedules and conservation programs, but it does not impose mandatory citywide lawn watering bans absent regional drought.
KUB customers must report water leaks, main breaks, or water quality issues to the 24-hour service line so crews can respond and damaged service lines do not bill the customer.
Knoxville recognizes heritage and significant trees through inventory programs, hillside protection, and Recode landscape standards that limit removal of large or culturally important specimens.
Knoxville Tree Code Chapter 38 protects trees in rights-of-way, parks, and on commercial sites, requiring permits before removal and replacement plantings when trees are taken down.
Massage therapists practicing in Knoxville need a Tennessee state license through the Massage Licensure Board plus a city business license through Chapter 8 of the City Code.
Pawnbrokers in Knoxville need a Tennessee state pawnbroker license under TCA 45-6 plus a city business license, and must report all pledged items daily to police.
Tobacco retailers in Knoxville need a Tennessee state tobacco license through the Department of Revenue, plus a standard city business license through Chapter 8.
Tattoo studios in Knoxville need a Tennessee Department of Health body art studio license, individual artist licenses, and a Knoxville business license through Chapter 8.
Secondhand dealers in Knoxville must register with the Police Department and report all purchases of used goods, jewelry, and metals daily through the LeadsOnline tracking system.
Smoke and vape shops in Knoxville need a city business license, state tobacco license, and must follow zoning rules limiting locations near schools and parks under the city zoning code.
Knoxville restricts skateboarding on Market Square, downtown sidewalks, and parking garages under City Code Chapter 35, while allowing it at Tyson Skate Park and designated areas.
Public urination in Knoxville is prosecuted under City Code Chapter 21 disorderly conduct provisions and Tennessee indecent exposure statute TCA 39-13-511, with citations near Old City and Cumberland Avenue bars.
Tennessee has not legalized recreational or medical marijuana, so all public cannabis use in Knoxville is illegal under state law TCA 39-17-418, with possession of any amount a criminal offense.
Open containers of alcohol on Knoxville public sidewalks and streets are generally prohibited under City Code Chapter 4, with limited exceptions for permitted special events and entertainment districts.
Tennessee Non-Smoker Protection Act bans smoking in most enclosed workplaces, while Knoxville bans smoking in city parks, around playgrounds, and within 25 feet of public building entrances.
Tennessee TCA 7-68-101 prohibits sanctuary city policies statewide, requiring Knoxville and Knox County to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and honor ICE detainer requests.
Tennessee requires private employers with 35 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify program to confirm work authorization under T.C.A. 50-1-703.
Tennessee law TCA 50-2-202 preempts cities from setting minimum wages above the federal floor of 7.25 dollars per hour, so Knoxville cannot adopt a local minimum wage.
Tennessee TCA 50-2-204 preempts local paid sick leave and family leave mandates, blocking Knoxville from requiring private employers to provide paid time off.
Tennessee preempts local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances under T.C.A. 50-2-112, preventing cities from regulating private employer scheduling practices.
Knoxville cannot enact local firearm ordinances — Tennessee Code Section 39-17-1314 preempts the entire field of firearm transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, and ammunition regulation. Statewide rules apply uniformly inside Knoxville.
Tennessee allows permitless concealed and open carry for adults 21 and older (or qualified 18-20 year olds) under T.C.A. 39-17-1307 and 1351, with optional enhanced and concealed permits available.
Open carry of handguns is lawful in Tennessee under permitless carry, but rifles and shotguns are subject to general unlawful-carry rules in T.C.A. 39-17-1307.
Tennessee allows eligible adults to carry handguns openly or concealed in private motor vehicles without a permit under T.C.A. 39-17-1351 and 39-17-1307, preempting stricter local rules.
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Knoxville require Plans Review & Inspections permits when they include gas lines, plumbing, electrical work, or structures. Natural gas connections to a built-in grill require a Mechanical/Gas Permit and a Tennessee-licensed contractor. Outdoor kitchen structures must meet Recode Knoxville accessory-structure setbacks. H-1 historic overlay districts require Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission Certificate of Appropriateness review.
Knoxville treats wood smokers, pellet grills, and other solid-fuel cooking equipment under the 2024 International Fire Code as adopted in City Code Chapter 11, Article II. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits use on combustible balconies of non-sprinklered multi-family buildings. Single-family residential smoker use is unregulated but should follow NFPA clearance recommendations. The Knoxville Fire Marshal's Office handles smoke and ash-fire complaints.
Knoxville has adopted the 2024 International Fire Code under City Code Chapter 11, Article II (Sections 11-21 to 11-22), effective January 2025. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits use of open-flame cooking devices including propane and charcoal grills on combustible balconies and within 10 feet of combustible construction in multi-family residential buildings unless the building is protected throughout by automatic sprinklers. The Knoxville Fire Marshal's Office enforces the IFC.
Knoxville has no dedicated City Code ordinance regulating the timing, brightness, or quantity of residential holiday light displays. General electrical safety, nuisance, and historic-district rules apply. H-1 historic overlay districts may review permanent visible lighting on historic facades through the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission. HOAs and condo associations frequently impose seasonal display rules through bylaws.
Knoxville has no City Code ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private residential property. Inflatables must stay within the property line and not encroach on sidewalks or public rights-of-way. HOAs commonly restrict yard inflatables through bylaws. H-1 historic overlay districts review prominent permanent installations but generally not temporary seasonal items.
Knoxville has no general City Code ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, garden statues, religious displays, or yard decorations on private residential property. Items must stay within the property line and may not encroach on sidewalks. H-1 historic overlay districts may review prominent permanent installations through the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission. HOAs commonly restrict yard ornaments through bylaws.
Knoxville enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.
Knox County parks are open sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted or for a permitted event. Being in a county park after hours is prohibited. Loud or amplified music is banned unless authorized in writing by the parks department for a public event.
In the RA Low Density Residential Zone, Knox County requires a 35-foot front yard, side yards of 8 feet for single-story and 12 feet for taller dwellings, and a 25-foot rear yard. Detached accessory buildings may sit as close as 5 feet to side and rear lot lines.
In the RA Low Density Residential Zone, no main building may exceed 3 stories or 35 feet, and accessory buildings are capped at 18 feet. Farm buildings, chimneys, spires, flagpoles, and similar projections are exempt from the height limits.
In the RA Low Density Residential Zone, Knox County caps combined main and accessory building coverage at 30 percent of the lot area. Minimum lot area is 10,000 square feet on sewer or 20,000 square feet without sewer.
Owners of vacant land in unincorporated Knox County must keep grass under 12 inches and must not use the lot for open storage of junk, tires, or debris. Both are enforced through the county's dirty lot ordinance on a complaint basis by Code Administration.
Knox County has no curbside trash service, so there are no set trash-cart setout times, but open storage of junk and debris is prohibited on residential lots. Abandoned or inoperable vehicles cannot be stored on private property, which is enforced alongside container and blight rules by Code Administration.
In unincorporated Knox County, open storage of garbage, building materials, rubbish, brush, tires, automotive parts, junk, or debris in a residential area is prohibited under the county's dirty lot ordinance, enforced by Knox County Code Administration. Inside Knoxville and Farragut, the city or town's own codes apply.
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.
Unincorporated Knox County has no dedicated garage-sale permit; occasional residential yard sales are treated as a customary accessory use under the Knox County Zoning Ordinance. Inside the City of Knoxville a personal-property-sale permit and limits apply, so city residents should check municipal rules.
In unincorporated Knox County, a political candidate sign may be posted without a building permit, but it cannot exceed 32 square feet, cannot be displayed for more than 30 days, and must be removed within 5 days of the election. Signs cannot block traffic-control devices or sit in the public
Knox County has no separate garage-sale-sign category; such signs are regulated as temporary signs. They cannot be fixed to poles, trees, fences, or anything in a street right-of-way, cannot obstruct traffic vision, and cannot sit in the public right-of-way. Small residential signs generally stay under 9 square feet.
Knox County does not provide curbside pickup of any waste or recycling. Unincorporated residents either haul household waste free to one of the county's Convenience Centers or contract with a private hauler for curbside service.
Knox County residents can self-haul large items free to a Convenience Center, which accepts hot water tanks, furniture, and small demolition debris from home improvements. Quantity limits apply and some items are not accepted; centers are for Knox County residents only.
Dumping trash on public or private property without permission is illegal statewide under Tennessee's littering law (TCA 39-14-502). Mitigated criminal littering (under 5 lbs / 7.5 cubic feet) is a Class B misdemeanor with a $500 fine; larger commercial dumping escalates to a felony. Report to Knox County Solid Waste
Knox County runs no curbside collection, so there is no county bin-placement or setout-time rule for the unincorporated area. Residents who hire a private hauler follow that company's cart placement rules, or self-haul to a Convenience Center. City of Knoxville sets its own curbside placement rules.
Recycling in Knox County is voluntary, not mandatory. Residents drop recyclables free at Convenience Centers, which take plastic bottles/jugs labeled #1 and #2, mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, scrap metal, and more. No plastic bags, Styrofoam, or food waste in recycling bins.
Knox County's Zoning Ordinance requires outdoor lighting be shielded and directed away from residential lot lines, and bars operations producing intense glare or heat from casting it onto neighboring property. Illuminated signs cannot shine or reflect onto nearby residential land within 300 feet.
Knox County has no formal dark-sky ordinance, but its Zoning Ordinance requires outdoor lighting for parking, storage, display, or security to be shielded and aimed away from residential property, reducing glare, light trespass, and overlighting. Sign lighting near residential zones must be indirect or non-reflective.
Commercial drone pilots in Tennessee must comply with FAA Part 107 nationwide and adhere to state-specific privacy, surveillance, and trespass statutes that preempt most municipal restrictions.
Tennessee preempts most local drone regulation under Tenn. Code 39-13-902 and 39-13-903, restricting cities to limited authority while state law and FAA rules govern recreational unmanned aircraft operations.
Tennessee has no general HOA assessment statute. For condominiums, T.C.A. § 66-27-415 gives the association an automatic lien for unpaid assessments and fines, foreclosable by judicial action, with a six-month priority over a first mortgage. Ordinary subdivision HOAs collect through the recorded declaration's lien, not this statute.
Condominium boards act under T.C.A. § 66-27-403, and § 66-27-417 makes financial and other records "reasonably available" to owners. Subdivision HOAs run under the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporation Act (Title 48): § 48-66-102 gives members a right to inspect records, and Chapter 57 governs meetings, proxies, and voting. Tennessee has no general open-meeting mandate for HOAs.
Tennessee has no statute on subdivision covenant enforcement. CC&Rs and architectural rules are enforced as recorded restrictive covenants under common law, which Tennessee courts strictly construe against the association. Condominium associations gain added enforcement powers from the Condominium Act (T.C.A. § 66-27-403), but design review still flows from the recorded declaration.
Tennessee sets no dollar cap on HOA fines. A condominium board acts on the association's behalf under T.C.A. § 66-27-403 and may impose fines under the declaration and bylaws after notice and a chance to be heard; unpaid fines join the § 66-27-415 lien. Subdivision HOA fines rest entirely on the recorded declaration.
Tennessee protects U.S. and military flag display: T.C.A. § 66-27-602 bars an HOA from prohibiting it, allowing only reasonable placement rules. Tennessee's Solar Access Law (T.C.A. § 66-9-201 et seq.) lets owners create solar easements but does not override HOA covenants, so an HOA may still restrict solar panels.
Tennessee limits local zoning interference with bona fide farm operations under T.C.A. 13-7-114 and Right to Farm protections in T.C.A. 43-26-103, preserving rural land use rights.
The Tennessee Right to Farm Act under T.C.A. 43-26-103 protects established farms from nuisance suits when operations existed for at least one year before the complaint.
Tennessee's solar access law in T.C.A. 66-9-205 voids HOA covenants that effectively prohibit residential solar collectors but allows reasonable aesthetic restrictions statewide.
Tennessee requires electrical permits for residential solar PV installations through the State Fire Marshal in jurisdictions without a local electrical inspector, applying uniformly statewide.
Tennessee enforces solicitation refusal at private residences through trespass law, allowing posted no-soliciting signs to create criminal liability for non-compliant door-to-door visitors.
Tennessee's Home Solicitation Sales Act regulates door-to-door sellers statewide with disclosure, contract, and three-day cancellation rules that apply alongside any local permit requirements.