Refer to the appropriate Sector Plan for land use classifications in Knox County.
City of Knoxville
(C-R)
City Zoning Districts
Code
Classification
Description
Location Criteria
Permitted Zones
GC
General Commercial
GC
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
RS
Regional Commercial
RS
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
MU-RC
Mixed Use Regional Center
MU-RC
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
