Bolthole Index

Knox County, Tennessee

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee lists a New Residential Building permit for new construction, with applications handled by City Plans Review and Inspections.1 Knoxville sets zoning inside city limits; Knox County Health Department handles septic services throughout Knox County, including Knoxville.23 Occupying an RV on private property is restricted to a travel trailer court or another location authorized by the city ordinance.4

At a glance

Residential building permit
City application for new construction, pre-manufactured placement or relocation1
Zoning
City zoning regulates uses, setbacks, height and lot coverage2
Septic
Knox County Health Department Groundwater Protection Division3
RV living
No temporary or permanent occupancy while parked or stored except in an authorized location4
Owner-builder
State licensing exemption for a residence for personal use, subject to conditions5
Building fees
City calculator gives estimates; engineering fees are excluded6

Who to call

Building permits

City of Knoxville Plans Review and Inspections

Residential building applications, construction review and inspections

865-215-4311

[email protected]

400 Main Street, Suite 475 Knoxville, TN 37902

Online permits →

Zoning

City of Knoxville Zoning Review

City zoning questions and zoning review

865-215-4085

[email protected]

400 Main Street, Suite 475 Knoxville, TN 37902

Online permits →

Roads & driveways

City of Knoxville Engineering Development Services Division

Site development applications and engineering review

865-215-2148

400 W Main Street 4th Floor Knoxville TN 37902

Floodplain permits

City of Knoxville Engineering Development Services Division — Floodplain Questions

City floodplain mapping and floodplain questions

Septic permits

Knox County Health Department Groundwater Protection Division

Septic permits, site evaluation assistance, inspections and existing-system records

865-215-5200

[email protected]

140 Dameron Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Knoxville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Knoxville, TN?

Knoxville lists a New Residential Building permit for all new construction, placement of pre-manufactured homes and relocation of existing structures.1 Knoxville also lists residential addition and alteration/repair applications, so describe the proposed work to City Plans Review and Inspections before choosing an application.1 Knoxville has adopted the 2024 International Residential Code and International Building Code for construction review.7

Tennessee’s owner-builder licensing exemption allows an owner to construct a single residence once every two years for personal use, subject to restrictions on resale, lease or rent.5 That licensing exemption should not be treated as a waiver of Knoxville’s building application process.51

Who handles Knoxville building applications and permit fees?

City of Knoxville Plans Review and Inspections is the contact for residential building applications; call 865-215-4311 or email [email protected].1 The city office is at 400 Main Street, Suite 475 Knoxville, TN 37902.1 Knoxville’s online application instructions direct applicants to select “Create an Application” under Permits.1

Knoxville’s project system uses a common project number for plans review and inspections, with sub-trade applications and approved-plan changes attached to the project.8 Knoxville’s fee calculator is an estimate, excludes engineering fees and may omit additional charges; ask for the project’s actual building, plan-review and sub-trade charges before budgeting.6

Does Knoxville have zoning, and what setbacks apply?

Knoxville zoning regulates land use, building height, lot coverage, setbacks and open space within city limits.2 Knoxville’s dimensional standards vary by zoning district, so a county residential setback table does not establish the buildable area of a city lot.910 Knoxville directs parcel owners to KGIS Maps to identify zoning and identifies Cumberland Avenue and South Waterfront as form-based code districts.11

Ask City Zoning Review to evaluate the proposed use and building footprint for the parcel’s district; the city zoning contact is 865-215-4085.212 For land outside Knoxville city limits, use the Knox County guide: Knox County’s zoning ordinance applies outside Knoxville and Farragut.10

How do septic permits work inside Knoxville?

Knox County Health Department Groundwater Protection Division evaluates, designs and inspects septic systems installed throughout Knox County, including Knoxville.3 Residential and commercial facilities without public sanitary sewer must have a subsurface sewage disposal system to receive and treat all wastewater generated within the facility.3

For a Knoxville new build, remodel or septic repair, call Groundwater Protection at 865-215-5200 to establish which septic permit or certification is needed.3 The division may need a soil map or site plan, and private consultants perform soil testing.3 Before buying a property with an existing septic system, request the county’s available records; a file search can reveal previous soil mapping or repair work.3

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Knoxville?

Knoxville prohibits temporary or permanent occupancy of an RV while parked or stored, except in a travel trailer court or another location authorized under the ordinance.4 A plan to sleep in an RV on a Knoxville lot while building therefore needs an authorized location; ownership of the lot alone does not satisfy that exception.4

We could not confirm Knoxville’s complete tiny-home occupancy rules or minimum dwelling floor area; ask City Zoning Review about the proposed use and City Plans Review and Inspections about construction review before purchasing a unit.121 Knoxville’s short-term rental permit is a separate requirement for operating rentals of less than 30 days, rather than an answer to whether an RV may be occupied.134

What are the steps before building a home in Knoxville?

  1. Identify the Knoxville parcel’s zoning in KGIS Maps, then discuss the proposed use, setbacks and footprint with City Zoning Review.112
  2. Establish sewage disposal: if the home will not connect to public sanitary sewer, discuss the septic layout and any soil-map or site-plan needs with Knox County Groundwater Protection.3
  3. Ask city Engineering Development Services about site work: Knoxville states that work disturbing or changing land requires a site development permit.14
  4. Submit the appropriate city residential building application, using the city’s online application instructions.1
  5. Follow Knoxville’s project review and inspection workflow and confirm the actual fees for the proposed scope.86

Before committing to a flood-prone parcel, ask the city floodplain administrator about local review; Knoxville provides flood mapping through KGIS and FEMA.1516

Watch-outs

  • Knox County’s unincorporated-area building and zoning rules do not establish Knoxville’s city requirements.1012
  • Knoxville’s RV restriction covers temporary occupancy as well as permanent occupancy; ask City Zoning Review whether the proposed location is authorized.412
  • We could not confirm Knoxville’s complete water or sewer connection triggers or private-well permit requirements; raise the proposed water and wastewater plan with City Plans Review and Inspections and Knox County Groundwater Protection before buying.13

Sources

  1. City of Knoxville Plans Review and Inspections (permits.knoxvilletn.gov)
  2. Zoning (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Knox County Health Department Groundwater Protection Division (knoxcounty.org)
  4. Article 11, Section 11.11, Storage and Parking of Trailers, Recreational Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, and School Buses (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  5. Residential Permit FAQs (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Pay Fees (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Current Codes (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Welcome Page City of Knoxville (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  9. Zoning (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  10. Zoning Ordinance for Knox County, Tennessee, quoted and re-checked
  11. Zoning (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  12. City of Knoxville Zoning Review (permits.knoxvilletn.gov)
  13. Short-Term Rentals (Knoxville), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Knoxville Engineering Development Services Division (knoxvilletn.gov)
  15. Statewide Floodplain Administrator Directory (Tennessee statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. City of Knoxville Engineering Development Services Division — Floodplain Questions (knoxvilletn.gov)

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Knoxville

Knoxville’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction within Knoxville city limits reviewed by the City of Knoxville Inspections Bureau.

    • The listed code editions include local amendments where stated.
    • The codes are used to review and approve plans prior to issuance.

    International Building Code: 2024 · International Residential Code: 2024 · National Electrical Code: 2023 with local amendments

    “The following codes have been adopted by the City of Knoxville Inspections Bureau. These codes will be used to review and approve plans prior to issuance.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land within Knoxville city limits.

    “The City of Knoxville's zoning ordinance regulates the location, height, bulk, number of stories, percentage of lot coverage, setbacks, open spaces, and use of buildings, structures, and land within the city limits.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and zoning-map administration within Knoxville city limits.

    • The city identifies Articles 1 through 18 of its zoning code, including zoning districts, residential districts, uses, site-development standards, and administration.
    • The city directs users to KGIS Maps to determine the zoning applicable to a parcel.
    • The city identifies Cumberland Avenue and South Waterfront as form-based code districts.
    “Article 3. Zoning Districts & Zoning Map”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Buildings and land within Knoxville city limits, with standards varying by zoning district.

    • The city page states that the ordinance regulates setbacks; district-specific numeric standards are contained in the adopted zoning code.
    “The City of Knoxville's zoning ordinance regulates the location, height, bulk, number of stories, percentage of lot coverage, setbacks, open spaces, and use of buildings, structures, and land within the city limits.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Buildings and land within Knoxville city limits, with standards varying by zoning district.

    • The city page states that the ordinance regulates percentage of lot coverage; district-specific numeric standards are contained in the adopted zoning code.
    “The City of Knoxville's zoning ordinance regulates the location, height, bulk, number of stories, percentage of lot coverage, setbacks, open spaces, and use of buildings, structures, and land within the city limits.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings and land within Knoxville city limits, with standards varying by zoning district.

    • The city page states that the ordinance regulates height and number of stories; district-specific numeric standards are contained in the adopted zoning code.
    “The City of Knoxville's zoning ordinance regulates the location, height, bulk, number of stories, percentage of lot coverage, setbacks, open spaces, and use of buildings, structures, and land within the city limits.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of recreational vehicles parked or stored on private property within Knoxville city limits.

    • A recreational vehicle may not be occupied temporarily or permanently while parked or stored unless it is in a travel trailer court or another location authorized under the ordinance.
    “A recreational vehicle shall not be occupied either temporarily or permanently while it is parked or stored in any area except in a travel trailer court or other location authorized under this ordinance.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Overnight camping in public parks within Knoxville city limits.

    • The prohibition applies unless the park administrator authorizes the activity in writing.
    • The code also prohibits leaving a house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon, or similar movable structure in a park after closing hours for camping purposes.
    “Unless otherwise authorized in writing by the administrator, set up tents, shacks or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping, nor shall any person leave in a park after closing hours any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as a house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon or the like.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals inside Knoxville city limits.

    • A city permit is required.
    • Short-term rentals are rentals for less than 30 days at a time.
    • Type 1 permits apply to owner-occupied units in residential areas.
    • Type 2 permits apply to non-owner-occupied units in non-residential areas.
    • Applications and annual renewals are issued through the Business Tax Office.
    • Non-compliant owners may be subject to citation.

    maximum rental duration: < 30 days

    “The City of Knoxville does require a permit to operate Short-Term Rentals.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City of Knoxville development, plan-review, building, sub-trade, and engineering fees.

    • The fee calculator provides estimates only.
    • Engineering fees are not included in the calculator estimate.
    • Plans Review, Building, and Sub-Trade fees are not binding and additional fees may apply.
    • The page references the 2024 Development Services Fee Schedule and 2025 Engineering Fee Schedule.
    “The Fee Calculator below provides an estimate of your project fees. It does not include any Engineering Fees. The Plans Review, Building, or Sub-Trade fees it provides are not binding, and additional fees may apply.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    City of Knoxville plans review and inspections projects.

    • A project has a unique project number used for both plans review and inspections.
    • Sub-trade permits and changes become child records of the project permit.
    • Inspection scheduling is performed through a web application.
    • A project scope may expand through a Change to Approved Plans application.
    “There are no longer separate plans reviews and building permits - now you have a project. This system will consolidate everything into a single location.”

Rules another office applies inside Knoxville

Knoxville does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner building a single residence in Tennessee, including inside Knoxville city limits, subject to state licensing-law conditions.

    • The owner may construct only one single residence every two years.
    • The residence must be for the owner's own use.
    • The residence may not be for resale, lease, or rent without a licensed contractor.
    • A person hired by the homeowner whose portion is $25,000 or more is not exempt from contractor licensing requirements.

    residences per two-year period: 1 residence (for the owner's own use)

    “Yes. Pursuant to TCA § 62-6-103, an owner of property may construct a single residence once every two years for his/her own use, as long as it is not for resale, lease or rent without being a licensed contractor.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Knoxville or Knox County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permit requirement for residential construction inside Knoxville city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Knoxville city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Knoxville city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Knoxville city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Knoxville city limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Knoxville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Knox County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Knox County: county rules, score and offices