Refer to the appropriate Sector Plan for land use classifications in Knox County.
City of Knoxville
(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
LI
Light Industrial
LI
Typically consists of 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 major collector or arterial streets
I-MU, I-RD, I-G
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
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. 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
Near freeway interchanges or along major arterials
Water, sewer and natural gas utilities are available
OP, I-RD
HDR
High Density Residential
HDR
This land use is residential in character with a density greater than 24 dwelling units per acre. Primary land uses included in this class are medium and high-rise attached multi-family developments. There should be an emphasis on aesthetics, open space and recreation in planning such developments.
- Locate on a major collector or arterial street near employment centers and major retail shopping districts
Locations should be convenient to highways, central business districts, or other major activity centers
Site with less than 10 percent slopes
Along corridors with transit and sidewalks
RN-1, RN-2, RN-3, RN-4, RN-5, RN-6, RN-7, DK
LDR
Low Density Residential
LDR
This land use is primarily residential in character at a density of less than 6 dwelling units per acre. This type of development includes detached single-family dwellings and duplexes. The primary residential pattern should be neighborhoods. The main neighborhood form should be detached residential development that is of sufficient size and design to promote neighborhood formation and land use stability.
- Protected from through traffic by avoiding direct access to major collectors or arterial streets
Buffered from incompatible land uses
AG, EN, RN-1, RN-2
MDR
Medium Density Residential
MDR
This land use is primarily residential in character with a density ranging from 6 to 24 dwelling units per acre. Primary land uses within this class include detached single-family dwellings, duplexes, townhouses and attached multi-family dwellings.
- Near community activity centers, including uses such as schools and colleges, parks, and community commercial/office nodes
On collector or arterial streets
As transitional areas between more intensive non-residential uses and low density residential neighborhoods
Sites with less than 15 percent slopes
Along or near corridors that are served by or proposed to be served by transit, with densities proposed to be above 12 dwelling units per acre and to be served by sidewalks
RN-1, RN-2, RN-3, RN-4, RN-5
TDR
Traditional Neighborhood Residential
TDR
This land use is primarily residential and is characterized by neighborhoods where a mix of detached and attached houses, sidewalks, smaller lots. Alleys have typically been or are to be created.
- Neighborhoods where lots are typically less than 50 feet wide, and usually have sidewalks and alleys. This area is essentially the 19th and early 20th century grid street neighborhoods.
RN-1, RN-2, RN-3, RN-4
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. 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, locally- oriented warehouse/distribution services, large-scale research and development facilities, office developments, and office parks/campuses. Retail and restaurant services, developed primarily to serve tenants and visitors to the business park can be considered. 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
MDR/O
Medium Density Residential / Office
MDR/O
Office and medium residential uses typically have similar development characteristics: scale of buildings, areas devoted to parking, yard spaces and location requirements (along thoroughfares). Either use is acceptable in this designation. These uses provide a buffer to low density residential areas, particularly when located adjacent to a thoroughfare or as a transition between commercial uses and a neighborhood.
- Near community activity centers, including uses such as schools and colleges, parks, and community commercial/office nodes
On collector or arterial streets
As transitional areas between more intensive non-residential uses and low density residential neighborhoods
Sites with less than 15 percent slopes
Along or near corridors that are served by or proposed to be served by transit, with densities proposed to be above 12 dwelling units per acre and to be served by sidewalks
RN-1, RN-2, RN-3, RN-4, RN-5, RN-6, O
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
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 Planning Commission 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
