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City Land Use Classifications

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

City of Knoxville

(A)
City Zoning Districts
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Code
Classification
Description
Location Criteria
Permitted Zones
AG

Agricultural
AG

This is rural / agricultural in character and includes farms and large tracts of undeveloped land.
  • Farms and large tracts of undeveloped land.
    Land where soils are designated as prime or locally important by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
    Rural areas prime for conservation such as forests, moderate and steep slopes, riparian areas and historic and cultural sites
AG, OS
AGC

Agricultural Conservation
AGC

This is rural / agricultural in character and includes farms and large tracts of undeveloped land. Undeveloped tracts with the best soils for agriculture are considered as the primary areas for agricultural conservation (AGC).
  • Farms and large tracts of undeveloped land in the Rural and Planned Growth Areas as designated in the Growth Policy Plan
    Land where soils are designated as prime or locally important by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are considered for agricultural conservation (AGC)
    Rural areas prime for conservation such as forests, moderate and steep slopes, riparian areas and historic and cultural sites.
AG, OS
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
LDR

Low Density Residential
LDR

This type of land use is primarily residential in character at densities of less than 6 dwelling units per acre. Conventional post-1950 residential development (i.e. large-lot, low- density subdivisions) and attached condominiums are typical.
  • Land served by water and sewer utilities and by collector roads
    Slopes less than 25 percent
AG, EN, RN-1, RN-2
OS

Other Open Space
OS

Include cemeteries, private golf courses, and similar uses
  • Existing cemeteries, private golf courses and private open spaces
AG, OS, NA
PP

Public Parks and Refuges
PP

This classification contains existing parks, wildlife refuges or similar public or quasi-public parks, open spaces and greenways. Quasi-public spaces are owned by civic or related organizations. Location criteria is not needed relative to large components of the park system, like community, district and regional parks and refuges; these areas are generally established through capital expenditures or land transfers from state or federal governments.
  • Neighborhood parks, squares and commons should be within 1/4 mile of residents in the traditional residential areas (particularly
    the 19th and early 20th century grid street neighborhoods of Knoxville) and within 1/2 mile of residents within the balance of the city and county's Planned Growth area.
    Greenways should be located along or within the flood plains of streams and rivers/reservoirs. Other potential locations include ridges and utility corridors.
OS, NA
RR

Rural Residential
RR

This land is rural in character with very low density residential and/or clustered housing subdivisions as typical land uses.
  • Rural areas designated for residential development via subdivision or zoning for densities greater than 1 dwelling unit per acre.
    Rural areas prime for conservation such as forests, moderate and steep slopes, riparian areas and historic and cultural sites.
    Sites adjacent to agricultural areas (AG or AGC) where cluster housing subdivisions may be appropriate
AG, OS
SP

Stream Protection Overlay
SP

Typically these are areas which are subject to flooding. Such areas include both the floodway, which carries the significant portion of stormwater, and the 500-year flood fringe, which the city and county govern with various stormwater regulations.
  • Floodways and floodplains
Applies to all
F Overlay