Chattanooga City Zoning Code

ARTICLE V

- MIXED-USE & COMMERCIAL ZONES

Sec. 38-18.- Purpose

(a)

C-NT Neighborhood Transition Commercial Zone .....

The C-NT Transition Zone is intended to accommodate low intensity office and service uses as well as single-unit dwellings. The C-NT Zone also accommodates conversions of existing single-unit detached dwellings to commercial uses, creating a unique mixed-use character. The zone serves as a transition between residential neighborhoods and higher intensity commercial areas.

(b)

C-N Neighborhood Commercial Zone .....

The C-N Neighborhood Commercial Zone is intended to accommodate convenience commercial and personal services that serve nearby residential neighborhoods. The C-N Zone is generally located within neighborhoods and maintains pedestrian connections to adjacent residential areas.

(c)

C-TMU Transitional Mixed-Use Commercial Zone .....

The C-TMU Transitional Mixed-Use Commercial Zone accommodates a moderately intense mix of commercial and residential uses, supporting and serving as a transitional area between neighborhoods and more intensely developed commercial or mixed-use areas.

(d)

C-C Commercial Corridor Zone .....

The C-C Commercial Corridor Zone is intended to accommodate commercial development along corridors with a mixture of residential, commercial, service, and institutional uses, that serve the adjacent neighborhoods and the community at large.

(e)

C-R Regional Commercial Zone .....

The C-R Regional Commercial Zone is intended to accommodate more auto-oriented commercial activities, which attract a regional consumer base. The C-R Zone is generally located along major commercial arterials. Townhouse and multi-unit dwellings are allowed in the CR Zone.

(f)

C-MU Commercial Mixed-Use Zone .....

The C-MU Commercial Mixed-Use Zone accommodates traditional urban mixed-use development, with a mix of commercial and residential uses in a predominantly vertically mixed-use form. In order to address the different characteristics of this zone within the City, two C-MU Subzones are established: the C-MU1 Zone and the C-MU2 Zone. The primary distinction between these two subzones is permitted height and the associated development intensity, with the C-MU2 Zone being the most intense.

(Ord. No. 14137, § 1, 7-23-24; Ord. No. 14138, § 1, 7-23-24)

Sec. 38-19. - Uses

Article IX lists principal, temporary, and accessory uses allowed within the mixed-use and commercial zones.

(Ord. No. 14137, § 1, 7-23-24; Ord. No. 14138, § 1, 7-23-24)

Sec. 38-20. - Mixed-Use and Commercial Zones Dimensional Standards

Table 38-20.1: Mixed-Use and Commercial Zones Dimensional Standards establishes the dimensional standards for the mixed-use and commercial zones. These regulations apply to all uses within each zone unless a different standard is listed for a specific use. Developments participating in the Voluntary Incentives Program are subject to the lot area standard reductions and maximum height increases as detailed in Article XIX. Voluntary Incentives Program, Incentives.

LOT STANDARDS DIAGRAM

A = Lot Width

Table 38-20.1: Mixed-Use and Commercial Zones Dimensional Standards—Lot Standards
	C-NT	C-N	C-TMU	C-C	C-R	C-MU1	C-MU2
Minimum Lot Area ¹	5,000sf	None	None	None TH: 1,100sf/du MU:950sf/du	None TH: 1,100sf/du MU:950sf/du	None TH: 1,100sf/du MU:950sf/du	None
Minimum Lot Width	50' or average of blockface, whichever is less	None	None	None TH: 15'/du MU: 50'	None TH: 15'/du MU: 50'	None TH: 15'/du MU: 50'	None
Maximum Gross Floor Area—Commercial Uses Only ²	3,500sf GFA for each commercial use, either standalone or within a multi-tenant building	3,500sf GFA for each commercial use, either standalone or within a multi-tenant building	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
¹ For hotel/motel uses that have been converted to multi-unit dwellings, the minimum lot area per dwelling unit does not apply. ² Does not apply to institutional uses such as places of worship, government facilities, and educational facilities.

HEIGHT DIAGRAM

A = Minimum Building Height

B = Maximum Building Height

Table 38-20.2: Mixed-Use and Commercial Zones Dimensional Standards—Height
	C-NT	C-N	C-TMU	C-C	C-R	C-MU1	C-MU2
Maximum Building Height	35'	24'	45'	45'	55'	65' 1	85' 1
Minimum Building Height 2	None	None	None	None	None	18'	18'
Minimum First Floor Demarcation Line for Multi-Story Buildings 2 This includes a cornice line, first-floor window height, bottom sill of second story windows, or entablature	None	14'	14'	None	None	14'	14'
1 Maximum height of a structure is limited to 40' within 100' of an RN-1-6, RN-1-5, RN-2, TRN-1, or TRN-2 Zone. This limitation applies only to that portion of a structure within the 100' distance. 2 This standard applies only to new construction as of the effective date of this Code October 21, 2024.

SETBACKS DIAGRAM

A = Build-To Zone (BTZ)

B = Build-Out Percentage (BO%)

C = Build-To Percentage (BT%)

D = Interior Side Setback

E = Rear Setback

Table 38-20.3: Mixed-Use and Commercial Zones Dimensional Standards—Setbacks
	C-NT	C-N	C-TMU	C-C	C-R	C-MU1	C-MU2
Front Setback/Build-To Zone (BTZ)	Build-To Zone (BTZ): Average setback of adjacent lots plus or minus 5' However, if average setback is more than 15', then 15' plus or minus 5' Where adjacent lots are not developed, 15' plus or minus 5'	Build-To Zone (BTZ): 0'—20'	Build-To Zone (BTZ): 0'—15'	10' Minimum	25' Minimum	Build-To Zone (BTZ): 0'—15'	Build-To Zone (BTZ): 0'—10'
Minimum Front Build-To Percentage (BTZ only)	None	None	None	N/A	N/A	75%	75%
Minimum Front Build-Out Percentage	None	None	None	N/A	N/A	80%	80%
Minimum Interior Side Setback	5'	None, unless abutting residential zone then 10'	None, unless abutting residenti al zone then 10'	None, unless abutting residential zone then 10'	10'	None, unless abutting residential zone then 10'	None, unless abutting residential zone then 10'
Corner Side Setback/Build-To Zone (BTZ)	10'	BTZ: 0'—20'	BTZ: 0'—15'	10' Minimum	25' Minimum	BTZ: 0'—15'	BTZ: 0'—10'
Minimum Corner Side Build-To Percentage (BTZ only)	N/A	None	None	N/A	N/A	60%	60%
Minimum Corner Side Build-Out Percentage	N/A	None	None	N/A	N/A	60%	60%
Minimum Rear Setback	10' unless abutting an alley, then 5'	10', unless abutting residential zone then 25'	10', unless abutting residential zone then 25'	10', unless abutting residential zone then 25'	25'	None, unless abutting residential zone then 25'	None, unless abutting residential zone then 25'

BUILDING ARTICULATION DIAGRAM

A = Blank Wall Limitation

B = Ground Floor Transparency

C = Upper Floor Transparency

Table 38-20.4: Mixed-Use and Commercial Zones Dimensional Standards—Building Articulation
	C-NT	C-N	C-TMU	C-C	C-R	C-MU1	C-MU2
Maximum Blank Wall Area—Nonresidential/Mixed-Use Facing Street or Waterfront	None	25sf	25sf	40sf	40sf	25sf	25sf
Ground Floor Transparency—Nonresidential/Mixed-Use Facing Street or Waterfront (Measured between 2' and 10' from grade)	None	40%	50%	40%	40%	50%	50%
Upper Floor Transparency—Nonresidential/Mixed-Use Facing Street or Waterfront	None	20%	20%	20%	20%	20%	20%

(Ord. No. 14256, § 1, 7-22-25)

Sec. 38-21. - Mixed-Use and Commercial Development Standards

(a)

Applicability .....

(1)

The development standards of this Table 38-21.1: Mixed-Use and Commercial Zone Design Standards apply to nonresidential and mixed-use developments in mixed-use and commercial zones. Residential dwellings are not subject to these design standards but rather subject to the design standards included within the use standards of the dwelling type in Article IX. .....

(2)

Development standards apply to new construction and additions with the following exceptions: .....

(i)

Additions in the C-NT and C-N Zones. .....

(ii)

Conversion of an existing single-unit dwelling to a nonresidential or live/work use in the C-NT Zone. .....

(3)

When standards indicate that they are applicable when facing a street, this includes public and private streets and does not include existing alleys. .....

(4)

Any diagrams of these standards that may be included are for illustrative purposes only. .....

(b)

Development Standards .....

In Table 38-21.1: Mixed-Use and Commercial Zone Design Standards, a "✓" indicates that the standard is applicable in the zone indicated. The absence of a "✓" indicates that the standard does not apply to the zone.

Table 38-21.1: Mixed-Use and Commercial Zone Development Standards
		C-NT	C-N	C-TMU	C-C	C-R	C-MU1	C-MU2
Orientation
1	For single-tenant developments, a minimum of one prominent entrance on a façade facing a street is required. For multi-tenant developments, a prominent entrance is required for each individual nonresidential tenant facing a street.		✓	✓	✓		✓	✓
2	All buildings must have one prominent entrance along a façade facing a street. On a corner lot, only one street-facing façade must have a prominent entrance.					✓
3	Where vehicle parking is accessed from an alley, an entrance to the building must be located and clearly marked on that façade facing an alley unless a pedestrian path is designed and has appropriate signage to direct pedestrians to the front entrance.		✓	✓	✓		✓	✓
Roof Design
4	Reflective roof surfaces that produce glare are prohibited, except for cool roofs intended to radiate absorbed or non-reflected solar energy and reduce heat transfer to the building.		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
5	Green roof, blue roof, and white roof designs are permitted.		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

(c)

Building Materials .....

None of the following building materials, or any combination of the following building materials, shall exceed 25% of any facade. They may also be used as a component of construction when not a surface finish material without limitation.

(1)

Plain concrete block .....

(2)

Mirrored glass .....

(3)

Exposed aggregate (rough finish) concrete wall panels .....

(4)

Exterior insulating finish systems (EIFS) .....

(5)

Wood structural panel sheathing (e.g., plywood, OSB, particleboard, etc.) .....

(6)

Plastic, not including light transmitting plastic .....

(7)

Vinyl .....

(8)

Metal panels unless they meet the following requirement: Metal panels (flat, textured, corrugated, batten, box rib, etc.) whether standalone, composite, or part of a layered or insulated panel, are permitted provided they are part of a complete, manufacturer warrantied cladding system, including integral anchorage to structural supports. Steel panels must be minimum US Standard 26 gauge. Metal panels that meet this requirement are permitted as surface finish material without limitation. .....

(Ord. No. 14137, § 1, 7-23-24; Ord. No. 14138, § 1, 7-23-24; Ord. No. 14169, § 1, 11-19-24; Ord. No. 14181, § 1, 12-17-24)

Sec. 38-22. - Additional Standards

(a)

General Site Development Standards .....

See Article X for additional on-site development standards and requirements.

(b)

Accessory Structures .....

See Article XI for accessory structure standards and requirements.

(c)

Parking, Loading, and Access .....

See Article XII for parking, loading, and access standards and requirements.

(d)

Landscape .....

See Article XIII for landscape, buffer, and screening standards and requirements.

(Ord. No. 14137, § 1, 7-23-24; Ord. No. 14138, § 1, 7-23-24)