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Knoxville City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 7

COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS

9-7-1: INTENT:

The C-1 District – Neighborhood Commercial
   The C-1 District is intended to provide for a mix of residential and compatible commercial uses in a predominantly residential neighborhood setting.
The C-2 District – General Commercial
   The C-2 District is intended to provide general commercial uses along major streets and highways in the city. The uses permitted are intended to accommodate the needs of the auto traveling consumer.
The C-3 District – Central Business Frame
   The C-3 District is intended for use in areas adjacent to the Central Business District in which a mix of compatible, urban-oriented, commercial and residential development can be accommodated. This District is not intended to be used in other parts of the city.
The C-4 District – Central Business District
   The C-4 District is intended to accommodate a variety of retail, consumer service, and office uses within the Central Business District. The C-4 District is designed to encourage rehabilitation of existing buildings and to ensure that, when new development occurs, it follows the existing traditional built patterns within the Central Business District. The C-4 District is not intended to be used outside of Knoxville’s original business core. (Ord. 24-08, 5-6-2024)

9-7-2: PERMITTED USES:

The permitted uses for the C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4 districts are as follows:
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
Commercial Uses
Car Washes
x
Convenience Stores
x
x
x
x
Entertainment Centers
x
x
x
Financial Institutions
x
x
x
x
Financial Institutions, Drive-In
x
Funeral Homes
x
x
Garden Stores and Nurseries
x
Gas Stations
x
Golf, Miniature Courses
x
Grocery Stores
x
Hotels
x
x
Medical, Dental or Health Clinics
x
x
x
x
Offices
x
x
x
x
Parking Lots
x
x
x
Parking Garages
x
x
Personal Service Businesses
x
x
x
x
Private Clubs
x
x
x
x
Public Auction Facilities
x
Restaurants
x
x
x
x
Restaurants, Drive-Thru
x
Retail & Consumer Service Businesses
x
x
x
x
Taverns
x
x
x
Vehicle Sales and Service Centers
x
Veterinary Clinics and Kennels
x
 
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
Residential Uses
Apartment Dwellings
x
x
x
Apartment Units in Mixed Use Developments
x
x
x
x
Attached Dwellings
x
x
x
Detached Dwellings
x
x
Duplex Dwellings
x
x
Home Occupations
x
x
x
x
 
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
Public & Quasi Public Uses
Childcare Centers
x
x
x
Early Education Centers
x
x
x
Hospitals
x
x
Nursing Homes
x
x
Places of Worship
x
x
x
Public Buildings or Uses
x
x
x
Parks, Recreation Areas, & Community Centers
x
x
x
x
Schools
x
x
x
Theaters
x
x
x
 
Notes:
   1.   Vehicle Sales and Service Centers – Provided that all work is done within an enclosed building, and that no inoperable autos or materials are held or stored outside a six foot (6') high sight-proof fence.
   2.   Apartment Units in Mixed Use Developments – Not permitted on ground floor in C-4 district.
Combinations of uses listed above may be accepted by the Zoning Administrator.
Similar or compatible uses to those listed above may be accepted by the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 24-08, 5-6-2024)

9-7-3: SPECIAL USES:

The following special uses may be acceptable in the C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4 Districts:
Special Uses
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
Special Uses
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
Cemeteries
x
Contractors’ Shops
x
Detached and Duplex Dwellings
x
Financial Institutions, Drive-in
x
x
Gas Stations
x
Parking Garages
x
Places of Worship
x
Public Buildings or Uses
x
Public Utility Facilities, Local
x
x
x
x
Restaurants, Drive-Thru
x
Self-Storage Facilities
x
Storage Yards, Screened-In
x
Structures up to sixty-five feet (65') in height, unlimited number of stories
x
x
Notes:
   1.   Public Utility Facilities, Local – Provided that any installation, other than poles and towers and equipment attached to the poles and towers, shall be:
      a.   Adequately screened with landscaping, fencing or walls, or any combination thereof; or
      b.   Placed underground; or
      c.   Enclosed in a structure in such a manner so as to blend with and complement the character of the surrounding area.
   All plans for screening these facilities shall be submitted to the board for review. No building permit or installation permit shall be issued until these plans have been approved by the board.
   2.   Self-Storage Facilities – Subject to the following:
      a.   All areas subject to traffic shall be hard surfaced;
      b.   When a self-storage facility is located adjacent to A-1 or residential districts, the exterior of the building shall be compatible to the residential area.
      c.   The maximum area shall be 500 square feet per storage unit.
      d.   The maximum height shall be 20 feet.
(Ord. 24-08, 5-6-2024)

9-7-4: PERMITTED ACCESSORY USES:

The permitted accessory uses for the C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4 Districts are as follows:
 
Accessory Uses
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
Merchandise Storage
x
Private Residential Garages
x
x
x
Private Swimming Pools
x
x
x
Temporary Buildings on Construction Sites
x
x
x
x
Temporary Real Estate Sales Offices in New Homes
x
x
x
x
 
Notes:
1.   Merchandise Storage – Storage of merchandise incidental to the principal use, but not to exceed forty percent (40%) of the floor area utilized for such use. 
(Ord. 24-08, 5-6-2024)

9-7-5: NONRESIDENTIAL BULK REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT RULES:

   A.   The following bulk regulations and rules apply to nonresidential uses in the C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4 Districts:
Nonresidential Bulk Regulations
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
Nonresidential Bulk Regulations
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
Minimum Front Yard
20 feet
30 feet
None
None
Maximum Front Yard
None
None
20 feet
12 feet
Minimum Side Yards
7 feet
5 feet
None
None
Minimum Rear Yard
30 feet
25 feet
20 feet
None
Maximum Height
35 feet
45 feet
45 feet
45 feet
Maximum Stories
2 ½
4
4
4
 
Notes:
   1.   The front yard may be reduced to 10 feet to accommodate a canopy associated with a gas station or a financial institution.
   2.   Where a side yard abuts a residential district, the side yard shall be a minimum of 15 feet.
   3.   Where a rear yard abuts a residential district, the rear yard shall be a minimum of 30 feet.
   B.   Additional Requirements in the C-3 and C-4 Districts.
      1.   Buildings in C-4 shall be located adjacent to the front property line.
      2.   A front yard not to exceed 20 feet is permitted in C-3 to accommodate landscaping.
      3.   A front yard not to exceed 12 feet is permitted in C-4 to accommodate a plaza or outdoor café.
      4.   Parking in front yards, where provided, is not permitted.
      5.   Access to parking through the front yard is not permitted, except for existing detached and duplex dwellings.
      6.   Drive-in windows for banking, restaurants, and other similar uses are not permitted, unless otherwise specified by special use. (Ord. 24-08, 5-6-2024)

9-7-6: RESIDENTIAL BULK REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT RULES:

   A.   The following bulk regulations and rules apply to residential uses in the C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4 Districts.
Residential Bulk Regulations
Detached and Duplex Dwellings
Residential Bulk Regulations
Detached and Duplex Dwellings
   Lot Area
7,200 square feet
   Lot Width
60 feet
   Front Yard
25 feet
   Side Yards
7 feet
   Rear Yard
30 Feet
   Maximum Height
35 feet
   Maximum Stories
2 1/2 stories
   Minimum Dwelling Width
20 feet
 
Residential Bulk Regulations
Attached Dwellings
Residential Bulk Regulations
Attached Dwellings
   Lot Area
 
      3 Units
6,800 square feet
      4 Units
8,600 square feet
      5 Units
10,400 square feet
      6 Units
12,200 square feet
   Lot Width
 
      3 Units
90 feet
      4 Units
120 feet
      5 Units
150 feet
      6 Units
180 feet
   Front Yard
25 feet
   Side Yards
7 feet
   Rear Yard
30 feet
   Maximum Height
35 feet
   Maximum Stories
2 1/2 stories
   Minimum Dwelling Width
20 feet
 
 
Apartment Dwelling
   Lot Area
 
      Up to 4 Units
8,400 square feet
      5 to 18 Units
Add 1,500 square feet per unit
      Over 18 Units
Add 1,200 square feet per unit
   Lot Width
75 feet
   Front Yard
25 feet
   Side Yards
10 feet
   Rear Yards
30 feet
   Maximum Height
45 feet
   Maximum Stories
3 Stories
   Minimum Dwelling Width
20 feet
 
Residential Bulk Regulations
Dwelling Units
Residential Bulk Regulations
Dwelling Units
   Lot Area
 
      Attached - End Unit
2,500 square feet
      Attached - Interior Unit
1,800 square feet
   Lot Width
 
      Attached - End Unit
25 feet
      Attached - Interior Unit
18 feet
   Side Yards
 
      Attached Units-Common Lot Line
0 feet
Accessory Structures
   Maximum Height
16 feet
   Maximum Stories
1 story
 
   B.   C-3 Exceptions to the Residential Bulk Regulations
      1.   The minimum front yard for a residential dwelling may be reduced to 10 feet.
      2.   The minimum side yard for a residential dwelling may be reduced to 7 feet.
      3.   The minimum rear yard for a residential dwelling may be reduced to 20 feet. (Ord. 24-08, 5-6-2024)

9-7-7: ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT RULES FOR COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS:

   A.   Off Street Parking and Loading. Spaces for off-street parking and loading shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9 of this title.
   B.   Site Plan. Site plans shall be required in accordance with provisions of Chapter 11 of this title for all uses permitted in the C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4 Districts except for detached and duplex dwellings.
   C.   Signs. Sign regulations are provided for in Chapter 17 of this title. (Ord. 24-08, 5-6-2024)