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Refer to the appropriate Sector Plan for land use classifications in Knox County.

City of Knoxville

(C-R)
City Zoning Districts
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Code
Classification
Description
Location Criteria
Permitted Zones
GC

GC
General Commercial

This class provides locations for retail and service-oriented commercial activities. It is generally intended to provide a full range of goods and services at the community or regional scale.
  • Commercial sites should be relatively flat, regular in shape and of sufficient size.
  • Locate on arterial and collector streets; however, their placement should not significantly reduce the proper functioning of the transportation system
  • Sites that are easily served by utilities and other support services
  • Sites should be compatible with adjacent land uses. Use of transitional land use classes such as HDR, MDR, MDR/O and O should be considered as a buffer between GC and residential uses to create more harmonious relationships and increase compatibility
  • Control linear commercial development to prevent traffic congestion and commercial encroachment into residential areas.
O, OP, C-G, C-H, C-R
MU-RC

MU-RC
Mixed Use Regional Center

These are envisioned to be highest intensity mixed use centers with housing densities over 24 dwelling units per acre. Downtown Knoxville's Central Business District is a regional mixed use center.
  • Flat terrain (generally less than 10 percent slopes)
  • Currently served by or planned to be served by sidewalks and transit
  • The location does not include auto and truck-oriented uses such as industrial, strip commercial and warehouse/distribution uses unless the proposal calls for a redevelopment of such areas
  • On a major arterial, adjacent to an interstate highway or adjacent to downtown
OP, C-G, C-H, C-R, DK
RS

RS
Regional Commercial

This land use includes retail and service-oriented development that meets the needs of residents across Knox County and surrounding areas. "Big box" retail, malls and 'lifestyle centers' are examples of regional-oriented commercial uses.
  • Sites should be relatively flat (under 10 percent slope) and with enough depth to support shopping center and ancillary development.
  • Water, sewer, natural gas utilities and stormwater systems should be capable of handling the development
  • Vehicular and pedestrian connections should be accommodated between different components of the district (e.g., between stores, parking areas and out-parcel development).
  • Locate region-serving commercial development on arterials in locations which are easily accessible to the interstate system. Development sites should be sufficient in size to permit future expansion.
  • RS development should be limited and carefully located to avoid market over-saturation and conflict with the central business district
OP, C-H, C-R, I-MU