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Overview

Streets and Subdivisions

Addresses

Resources

The Addressing Department assigns all addresses within Knox County, including the City of Knoxville and Town of Farragut.

Why Are Addresses Important?

Addresses identify a specific, one-of-a kind location and tell those who provide important services where to find it. An accurate and visible address is vital for rapidly locating a home or business in an emergency. In addition to mail and package delivery, utilities such as water, electricity, cable and telephone also require a certified address to provide service. Addresses are even listed on property tax bills.

How Are Addresses Assigned?

The City of Knoxville and Knox County ordinances regulate the assignment of addresses and street names. Our overview of the rules for addresses and street names will answer most questions. Additional information is outlined by Planning's adopted procedures.

Address Errors

Addressing Department staff is required to correct all address discrepancies reported by citizens, staff, the Post Office, Knox911 or other agencies. Common problems include address numbers that are out-of-sequence or out-of-block range and the use of an address number with an incorrect street name.

 

The Addressing Department reviews street and subdivision names to ensure they do not duplicate existing names throughout Knox County.   

Reserve a New Street or Subdivision Name 

Developers or property owners can reserve street and subdivision names within their development for up to 5 years.

 

Reserving a Street or Subdivision Name

Review by the Addressing Department takes approximately 3 working days.

 

Duplicate Street Names

  • Proposed street names may not be exact or phonetic duplications of existing street names within Knox County. Before submitting street names, we recommend applicants review the list of active names to ensure the name is not in use.

When Can New Street Names Be Submitted?

  • New street names are usually submitted by developers or property owners during the subdivision plat review process. The state highway, county, or city road departments can submit a proposed street name as part of a roadway widening project or when a new road is created.

 

Request a Street or Subdivision Name Change

Changes to existing street or subdivision names are permissible with support from affected owners, approval from the Planning Commission, and City Council or County Commission.

 

To request a name change within Knox County, follow the steps below and coordinate with Addressing Department staff. 

Submitting Name Change Applications

  1. Contact the Addressing Department for a Name Change Application
    Staff will explain the name change process to you and review your proposed name to confirm it is consistent with naming guidelines. Staff will provide you with a Name Change Request. This application must be used to canvass current property owners along the street.

  2. Canvas your neighbors by going door-to-door
    Collect the signature of all affected property owners and obtain their opinion on the proposed name change (whether they agree or disagree). If a property owner cannot be reached, a good faith effort to contact them must be documented by the applicant.

    Note: Original signatures are required on the form (no faxes or photocopies).

    Planning staff will only accept applications when 75% of the abutting property owners are in favor of the proposed name change.

  3. Return the form and fee to Knoxville-Knox County Planning
    The Name Change Request with original signatures and fee must be submitted to Knoxville-Knox County Planning.
    Deadlines and Fees

  4. Attend required meetings
    Attend the Planning Commission meeting and other legislative meetings as required by the approval process.

Approval Process

  • Name changes require approval by the Planning Commission at their monthly meeting. A final vote of approval is required by the appropriate legislative body for street name changes.

Appeals

  • Objections can be voiced at any time throughout this process. Planning Commission action regarding a name change may be appealed to the appropriate legislative body. Any aggrieved party to a name change in unincorporated Knox County has 30 days to appeal a Planning Commission decision. Within the City of Knoxville, appeals must be made within 15 days of the decision.

Approved Street Name changes

  • Planning will send a letter to all property owners along the street notifying them of the street name change and any corresponding change in their address. Planning will also notify Knox911 and the U.S. Postal Service. Residents, tenants, and property owners are responsible for notifying all correspondents about the street name change. This includes utility and phone companies, mortgage and insurance companies, Knox County Property Assessor, Department of Motor Vehicles, etc.

Honorary Street Names

  • Within the City of Knoxville, an honorary street name is an additional name assigned to a street or street segment which supplements but does not replace the official street name.
    More info

The Addressing Department assigns addresses to occupiable structures for emergency services, mail delivery, and building permits.   

Request a New Address or Temporary Address

  • To request a new, temporary, or official address for a property located in Knox County, complete the Address Request Form below and return by email, mail, or in person.

  • Email:  addressing@knoxplanning.org

  • By hand at Planning offices during regular business hours

  • Address Request Form

Who Should Complete this Form?

  • Individuals and contractors requesting building permits in Knoxville and Knox County (Process Overview)

  • Individuals, title companies, lenders and financial institutions seeking verification of a correct address

What Information is Needed?

Before an official address can be assigned you'll need to provide some of the following information:

  • Parcel ID

  • Subdivision name (including Phase/Unit and Lot number)

  • Information about the new address

  • Site plan (required for new construction and vacant property)

Much of this information is available on the Property Map and Details which can be obtained by accessing KGIS Maps and using the Online Maps Tool.
Official Address Assignment Process

  • In most cases, when a single address is requested, the process is completed the day the form is submitted and there is no fee. New address assignments require submission of a site plan and can be used immediately for a building permit. If you have questions regarding your zip code or the location of your mailbox, please contact the U.S. Postal Service. 

 

More complex projects, including apartments, business complexes and subdivisions may take several days to complete depending upon the number of addresses requested and other factors.

  • New addresses are assigned after the subdivision plat is recorded. There is an addressing fee for 5 or more address assignments.
    Schedule of Fees

  • Building permits issued in the City of Knoxville and Knox County require an address certification. For a description of this process, see our overview of the Building Permit/Address Certification Procedure process.

Temporary Addresses

  • A temporary address may be assigned if addressing department staff is unable to provide an official address when a request is made. Some examples of when a temporary address may be assigned include: utility cost estimates, driveway permits, BZA variance requests, and job construction trailers.

Address Changes

  • An address change may be required if an existing address does not meet current addressing guidelines. Review the section on Addressing Guidelines and Ordinances for additional information.

Certify an Address for Building Permits/Plans Review

All activities requiring a building permit need a certified address before a permit will be issued.

 

Address certification

  • Request an address certification by completing the Address Request Form. The applicant will be provided an address certification with the official address and Knoxville-Knox County Planning certified address stamp. This form can be submitted to the City or County office where the building permit application will be filed. Inspectors from the City of Knoxville and Knox County use these addresses to locate structures requesting inspection.

What things get addressed?

  • Every residence and place of business in Knox County is systematically assigned a valid and unique address.

  • This includes a requirement that each store or business within a shopping center or business park must have an individual address; each separate residence (or apartment) within an apartment complex, condominium community, or mobile home park must have a unique address. Note: A fee is charged for assigning 5 or more addresses.

 

Many types of addresses are issued to help inspectors and emergency responders.

These include...

  • ATM Machines

  • Billboards

  • Boat Docks

  • Cell Towers & Antenna Collocation

  • Construction Trailers

  • Trash Compactors

  • Sewer Pump Stations

  • Subdivision Signs

When you're submitting a building permit application for...

  • New construction
    New addresses will be created

  • Renovations / Alteration of Existing Structures
    A review of the address(es) currently in use will take place

 

Resources