In unincorporated Knox County, grass, weeds and vegetation on residential lots must be kept under 12 inches. Growth exceeding 12 inches is a 'dirty lot' violation subject to abatement by Codes Administration.
Knox County Codes Administration enforces a 'dirty lot' standard on residential property in the unincorporated county: 'Grass is overgrown when it exceeds 12\".' A complaint triggers inspection; if in violation, the lot is posted and the owner receives a notice of violation, often by certified mail. Cities like Knoxville and Farragut enforce their own lawn rules inside their limits. Agricultural land is generally exempt under Tennessee's right-to-farm framework (TCA 43-26-103).
Owner gets 10 days to cut (30 days for large jobs). If still in violation, Engineering & Public Works clears the lot and bills the owner the cleanup cost.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
knox-county-tn
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 ampl...
knox-county-tn
Knox County's Zoning Ordinance requires outdoor lighting be shielded and directed away from residential lot lines, and bars operations producing intense glar...
knox-county-tn
Knox County has no formal dark-sky ordinance, but its Zoning Ordinance requires outdoor lighting for parking, storage, display, or security to be shielded an...
knox-county-tn
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...
knox-county-tn
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 f...
knox-county-tn
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...
See how Knox County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.