Knoxville, TN Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Knoxville, TN, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Protected trees
- champion, landmark, historic
- Alteration limit
- 20% of woody area
- Permit decision window
- 30 days
- Appeal window
- 15 days to city council
Summary
Champion, landmark, and historic trees within Knoxville can't be removed or cut back more than 20 percent without an urban forester permit, issued only if the tree is a hazard or of low historic value.
(a)No living tree within the city designated on the State of Tennessee Champion Tree list or designated as a landmark, or historic tree by the State of Tennessee or designated organization, shall be removed or otherwise substantially altered by pruning, trimming, or otherwise cutting more than twenty (20) percent of the woody area of such tree without first obtaining a permit from the urban forester.(b)Permits as noted in subsection (a) of this section shall be issued only upon a satisfactory showing that the tree in question is a public safety concern or is not of such historical or botanical importance that the public interest would be served through the preservation of such trees such as invasive species or a tree in declining health.(c)If the urban forester fails to issue a permit as provided in this section within thirty (30) days of the application for the permit, such permit shall be considered to be denied. Any person denied such permit may appeal the denial directly to city council by filing a notice of such appeal with the city recorder within fifteen (15) days of the denial, and the appeal shall be placed upon council's agenda for consideration at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. The council shall consider the matter de novo and may uphold denial of the permit, order the permit to be issued, or order a permit under such terms and conditions as council deems appropriate considering the totality of the circumstances.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 14-35, living trees designated on Tennessee's Champion Tree list, or recognized as landmark or historic trees, are protected from removal or substantial alteration, defined as cutting more than 20 percent of the tree's woody area, without a permit from the urban forester. The urban forester may issue a permit only on a showing that the tree poses a public safety concern or lacks enough historical or botanical importance to justify preservation, such as an invasive species or a tree in declining health. A permit request the urban forester doesn't act on within 30 days is deemed denied, and the applicant can appeal that denial to city council within 15 days for a de novo hearing.
Violations & Fines
Removing or cutting more than 20% of a designated champion, landmark, or historic tree without an urban forester permit violates § 14-35 and is punished under the article's penalty section, § 14-31.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Knoxville trees need a special removal permit?
What happens if the urban forester doesn't act on my permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
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