Knoxville, TN Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Hydrant setback
- 10 feet minimum
- Intersection setback
- 30 feet minimum
- Medium tree treelawn
- 4 feet wide minimum
- Large tree treelawn
- 5 feet wide minimum
Summary
Knoxville bars new street trees within 10 feet of fire hydrants, 30 feet of an intersection, and sets minimum treelawn widths for medium and large trees.
No trees shall be planted closer than ten (10) feet to any fire equipment including water meters, fire hydrants, and post indicator valves. No tree shall be planted within thirty (30) feet of a street intersection. Public tree planting that will affect utility operations or maintenance of their safety clearances shall be approved by the affected utility owner. A treelawn should be at least four (4) feet in width to plant a medium tree, and at least five (5) feet in width to plant a large tree.(c)The urban forester shall determine where such restrictions may be relaxed or modified based on site-specific, physical, and biological factors. (Ord. No. O-88-2014, § 8, 5-13-14; Ord. No. O-161-2021, § 21, 12-14-21)
Editor's note— Ord. No. O-88-2014, § 8, adopted May 13, 2014, amended the Code by repealing former § 14-59, and adding a new § 14-59. Former § 14-59 pertained to exemptions, and derived from Ord. No. O-447-91, adopted October 29, 1991.
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
Knoxville, Tennessee's tree ordinance sets placement rules for trees planted along city streets and in the public right-of-way. No tree may be planted within 10 feet of fire equipment -- hydrants, water meters, or post indicator valves -- or within 30 feet of a street intersection. Any planting that could affect utility operations or safety clearances needs sign-off from the affected utility owner. The treelawn, the planting strip between the sidewalk and the street, must be at least 4 feet wide for a medium tree and at least 5 feet wide for a large tree. The urban forester can relax these standards based on site-specific conditions.
Violations & Fines
Planting a street tree too close to a hydrant or intersection, or in a treelawn narrower than required, violates Sec. 14-59(b) and is enforced under Sec. 14-64's penalty provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to a fire hydrant can I plant a tree in Knoxville?
How wide does a treelawn need to be for a street tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
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