Refer to the appropriate Sector Plan for land use classifications in Knox County.
City of Knoxville
Historic Overlay (H)
The H Historic Overlay Zoning District in intended to preserve and protect historic structures and areas which serve as visible reminders of the history and cultural heritage of the City of Knoxville, State of Tennessee, and the United States of America. The H Overlay District is also intended to assist in stabilizing and improving property values in historic areas by guiding rehabilitation or new construction that is compatible with the character of the historic area. Through this district, historic structures and areas of sufficient historical or architectural significance are designated for public protection. It is the intent of this district to regulate the construction, repair, alteration, rehabilitation, relocation or demolition of any building or other structure that is located or proposed to be located in an H Overlay District. This district is not intended, however, to regulate the use of land, buildings or structures.
City Zoning Districts
Code
Classification
Description
Location Criteria
Permitted Zones
CC
Community Commercial
CC
This land use includes retail and service-oriented development, including shops, restaurants, and what has come to be known as "big box" retail stores; typical service area includes 20,000 to 30,000 residents. Community commercial uses may also be considered within community centers (see Mixed Use and Special Districts).
- Locate at intersection of arterial streets
Sites should be relatively flat (under 10 percent slope) and with enough depth to support shopping center and ancillary development.
Vehicular and pedestrian connections should be accommodated between different components of the district (e.g. between stores, parking areas and out-parcel development)
Infrastructure should include adequate water and sewer services, and major arterial highway access
O, C-N, C-G, C-H
GC
General Commercial
GC
This includes previously developed strip commercial corridors providing a wide range of retail and service- oriented uses. Such land use classification and related zoning should not be extended because of the adverse effects on traffic-carrying capacity, safety and environmental impacts. Redevelopment of commercial corridors, including mixed use development, should be accommodated under planned or design-oriented zones.
- Existing commercial areas
O, OP, C-G, C-H, C-R
HI
Heavy Industrial
HI
Typically older industrial areas used for the heavy manufacturing and assembling of goods. Heavy industrial uses include processes used in the production of steel, automobiles, chemicals, cement, and animal by- products and are viewed as clearly not compatible with areas designated for residential, institutional, office and retail uses. Quarry operations and asphalt plants are a particular form of heavy industrial, generally located in rural areas. Substantial landscaped buffers are expected between uses of lesser intensity, particularly residential, office and agricultural uses.
- Existing industrial areas
Within one mile of an interstate interchange with access via standard major collector or arterial streets
I-H, I-G
HIM
Mining
HIM
Typically older industrial areas used for the heavy manufacturing and assembling of goods. Heavy industrial uses include processes used in the production of steel, automobiles, chemicals, cement, and animal by- products and are viewed as clearly not compatible with areas designated for residential, institutional, office and retail uses. Quarry operations and asphalt plants are a particular form of heavy industrial, generally located in rural areas. Substantial landscaped buffers are expected between uses of lesser intensity, particularly residential, office and agricultural uses.
- Existing industrial areas
Within one mile of an interstate interchange with access via standard major collector or arterial streets
I-H
HP
Hillside Protection Overlay
HP
This classification is used to identify hillsides, ridges and similar features that have a slope of 15 percent or more. Open space, recreation land or very low density housing (one dwelling unit per two acres) is recommended for slopes exceeding 25 percent. For slopes of 15 to 25 percent, housing densities should not exceed 2 du/ac). Office uses may also be considered. Building height should not exceed 35 feet.
- Hillsides greater than 15 percent slope
Applies to all
HP Overlay
HP Overlay
MU-CC
Mixed Use Community Center
MU-CC
These centers are envisioned to be developed at a moderate intensity with a variety of housing types. The core of the district, with its predominant commercial and office uses, should be within 1/4 mile of the higher intensity residential uses (such as townhouses and apartments). The district should be located within a 1/4-mile radius of an intersection of the thoroughfare system (a collector/arterial or arterial/arterial intersection). In addition to sidewalks, the district should be served by transit. Redevelopment of vacant or largely vacant shopping centers are considerations for these centers.
- Flat terrain (slopes generally less than 10 percent)
Areas currently served by or planned to be served by sidewalks
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
Within a 1/4-mile radius of an intersection of the thoroughfare system (a collector/arterial or arterial/arterial intersection)
Commercial/office core should be within 1/4 mile of the higher intensity residential uses (e.g. townhouses and apartments)
O, C-G, C-H
MU-RC
Mixed Use Regional Center
MU-RC
These are envisioned to be highest intensity mixed use centers. These districts should be served by sidewalk and transit systems and be located on a major arterial, adjacent to an Interstate highway or adjacent to downtown. Downtown Knoxville's Central Business District is a regional mixed use center.
- Flat site (generally less than 10 percent slopes)
Currently served by or planned to be served by sidewalks
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
MU-UC
Mixed Use Urban Corridor
MU-UC
Several street corridors within the city have potential for redevelopment with a mix of retail, restaurants, office and residential uses. Commercial cores should be created at points (nodes) along these corridors, allowing a vertical mix of uses (for example, shops at ground level and apartments above); such nodes should not be more than four blocks long.
- Corridors should have sidewalks, transit services, street trees and related beautification
Capable of sustaining on-street parking along corridor or along side streets
C-G, C-H, I-MU, DK, SW, CU
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. Development typically exceeds 400,000 square feet; malls have been a typical form and 'lifestyle centers' are examples of regional-oriented commercial uses. Regional commercial uses may also be considered in Regional Centers (see Mixed Use and Special Districts).
- Flat sites (under 10 percent slope)
Locate near interstate interchanges with major arterial highway access
Water, sewer, natural gas utilities and stormwater systems should be capable of handling the development
Vehicular and pedestrian connections should be accommodated between components of the development
O, OP, C-H, C-R, I-MU
