Knox County does not require homeowners to get a permit to remove trees from their own property. Tree preservation is enforced only through development landscaping plans, not through a countywide tree-permit ordinance.
Unlike some cities, unincorporated Knox County has no standalone tree-protection ordinance requiring residents to apply for a permit before removing trees. Tree preservation appears in the zoning ordinance only for new development: existing trees conserved to satisfy buffer and screening requirements must be identified on the landscaping plan, and required landscaping trees must be maintained. For homeowners, no county permit is needed to remove yard trees, though land-disturbing clearing near streams or on slopes can require a stormwater/grading permit. The City of Knoxville has separate tree rules.
No county penalty for a homeowner removing trees. A developer removing trees required to be conserved on an approved site plan can be cited under the zoning ordinance; unpermitted land disturbance is a stormwater violation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
knox-county-tn
Knox County does not prohibit backyard composting for households. The zoning code only regulates commercial-scale composting facilities, which are solid-wast...
knox-county-tn
Knox County has no ordinance regulating artificial turf on residential property. Synthetic lawns are neither required nor banned; large installations should ...
knox-county-tn
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 ...
knox-county-tn
Knox County has no ordinance prohibiting or specially regulating residential rain barrels or rainwater collection. Tennessee does not restrict rainwater harv...
knox-county-tn
Knox County does not impose a general ordinance restricting lawn or garden watering days or hours. Any watering limits come from your individual water utilit...
knox-county-tn
Knox County treats vines, grass, weeds and other vegetation that reaches 12 inches or more as a presumed public nuisance on residential property. Owners must...
See how Knox County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.