KNOXVILLE-KNOX COUNTY, TENNESSEE
METROPOLITAN PLANNING COMMISSION

General Rules for Addressing

  1. Buildings on the south and east sides of streets receive even numbers.
  2. Buildings on the north and west sides of streets receive odd numbers.
  3. A street address is assigned every 25 feet
  4. Multiple structures on a lot receive a unique number for each structure.
  5. Block numbers are assigned to road sections that extend from one intersection to another. A Block Range extends for no more than 1,000 feet.
  6. A road name has a base name and a road type (Drive, Road, Lane, Way.)
  7. Deadend Streets are called Lanes
  8. Private easements are called Ways.
  9. Some streets have directionals like E. Baxter Avenue or N. Central Street.

Prohibited Usage for Street Names

  1. North, South, East, West or other directionals cannot be used for a road name.
  2. Old and New cannot be used.
  3. References to a number are prohibited such as Ten, First, Sixth.
  4. Abbreviations of words or names and initials are prohibited.
  5. A single alphabetical character cannot be used.
  6. Duplicate street names are prohibited.
  7. Phonetic duplications are prohibited such as: Jerdan-Jordan, Gem-Jim, Queensboro-Queensbury.

Please Note:
All existing street names and addresses were grandfathered when the Street Naming and Addressing Ordinances were adopted in 1990. Changes to addresses and street names have been made since 1990 where duplicate street names occurred or when problems were brought to MPC's attention by E-911, the Post Office, telephone and/or utility companies, or other affected party.

For More Information, see these Addressing Quick Facts

Naming of Easements

Assigning Interior Addresses

Address Certification

 

This is not a legal document. It does not replace or amend the existing procedures and regulations governing the publication of agency information. If you have questions, please contact MPC by telephone at (865) 215-2500

Addressing
Quick Links

Addressing Home

Street/Road and Subdivision Name Request Form

General Rules

Administrative Rules

City and County Ordinances

Quick Fact Publications

Street Name Directory

Contact Addressing

Addressing Brochure