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 incorporated long-standing Hillside and Ridgetop Protection Plan recommendations into supplemental development standards. On parcels with slopes greater than fifteen percent, plans must show existing topography, building footprints stepped to grade, retaining wall heights, and tree retention zones. Steeper slopes above twenty-five percent often require geotechnical reports. Disturbance is minimized along ridgelines, and roof reflectivity and lighting can be reviewed for visual impact. The standards work alongside stormwater, grading, and tree code reviews handled jointly with Knox County Planning.
Working in a hillside area without engineered plans, removing protected trees, or exceeding cut and fill limits triggers stop-work orders, redesign requirements, and replanting or restoration obligations.
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