City Land Use Classifications

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

City of Knoxville

(I)
City Zoning Districts
Code
Classification
Description
Location Criteria
Permitted Zones
BP-1

Business Park Type 1
BP-1

Primary uses are light manufacturing, office and regionally- oriented warehouse/distribution services in which tractor- trailer transportation is to be a substantial portion of the operations. A zoning category which requires site plan review is expected in the development or redevelopment of such areas. Site plans shall address landscaping, lighting, signs, drainage, and other concerns that are raised in the rezoning process. Substantial landscaped buffers are expected between uses of lesser intensity, particularly residential, office and agricultural uses.
  • Relatively flat sites (predominant slopes less than 6 percent) out of floodplains
    Relatively large sites (generally over 100 acres)
    Away from low and medium density areas or where truck traffic would have to go through such areas
    Areas with freeway and arterial highway access (generally within two miles of an interchange)
    Rail access is a consideration
    Can be served with sewer, water and natural gas
OP, I-MU, I-RD
BP-2

Business Park Type 2
BP-2

Primary uses are light manufacturing, offices, and locally- oriented warehouse/distribution services. Retail and restaurant services, developed primarily to serve tenants and visitors to the business park can be considered. A zoning category which requires site plan review is expected in the development or redevelopment of such areas. Site plans must include provisions for landscaping, lighting and signs. Substantial landscaped buffers are necessary between uses of lesser intensity, particularly residential, office and agricultural uses.
  • Relatively flat sites (predominant slopes less than 6 percent) out of floodplains
    Relatively large sites (generally over 100 acres)
    Away from low and medium density areas or where truck traffic would have to go through such areas
    Freeway and arterial highway access (generally within two miles of an interchange)
    Rail access is a consideration
    Can be served with sewer, water and natural gas
OP, I-MU, I-RD
CI

Civic / Institutional
CI

Land used for major public and quasi-public institutions, including schools, colleges, the university, churches, correctional facilities, hospitals, utilities and similar uses.
  • Existing public uses, other than parks and greenways
    Quasi-public uses of two acres or more
INST
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
LI

Light Industrial
LI

Typically older industrial areas used for the light manufacturing, assembling, warehousing and distribution of goods. Light industrial uses include such manufacturing as assembly of electronic goods and packaging of beverage or food products. 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-MU, I-RD, I-G
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
TP

Technology Park
TP

This land use primarily includes offices and research and development facilities. The target area for such development has been the Pellissippi Technology Corridor. Additional districts could be created in other areas of the city or county. The development standards that are adopted by the Tennessee Technology Corridor Development Authority should be used for such districts.
  • Within the Technology Corridor or subsequent areas designated for Technology Park development
    Sites near freeway interchanges or along major arterials
    Water, sewer and natural gas utilities available
OP, I-RD
SWMUD II

South Waterfront Mixed Use District Type 2
SWMUD II

This district allows for diverse uses and range of development intensities and forms. Zoning is limited to districts which require special use approval.
  • Case-by-case analysis is recommended.
RN-1, RN-2, RN-3, RN-4, RN-5, O, C-G, I-MU, I-G