What is the rationale for the change from Agricultural (A) to Rural Residential (RR)? 

What is in the current code: The existing zoning map applies a broad Agricultural (A) zone across much of the county, which functions more as a low-density residential zone than a true agricultural preservation district. It allows residential subdivisions by right. 

What is proposed in the draft UDO and why: No county property has been rezoned. The intent of draft map 2 is to honor the property rights property owners have today, which is why the current A zone translates to Rural Residential (RR). However, two new, more restrictive rural zones—Agricultural Rural (AR) and Rural Preservation (RP)—have been proposed. This allows property owners to choose to apply a new, more restrictive district if they believe it better reflects their goals for the property. All three of these zones allow farming and agricultural uses. 

What are the differences in the proposed Rural Residential (RR), Rural Preservation (RP), and Agricultural Rural (AR) zones? 

On Knox County's current zoning map, the Agricultural zone is applied broadly throughout the county as a one-size-fits-all zone in areas that are rural and agricultural. Of those properties, a little more than 27,000, or 78 percent, are 5 acres or less, and nearly 10,000 are less than an acre. The proposed Rural Residential (RR), Rural Preservation (RP), and Agricultural Rural (AR) zones will allow the county to differentiate between a range of rural and agricultural types of places and uses moving forward. 

Through the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), three new zones have been proposed to take the place of the one existing Agricultural (A) zone: 

• Rural Residential (RR) zone:  1-acre minimum lot size, or as determined by the Growth Policy Plan 
• Rural Preservation (RP) zone: 2.5-acre minimum lot size 
• Agricultural Rural (AR) zone: 5-acre minimum lot size 

All three proposed zones allow agricultural uses. 

Will this impact my Greenbelt status? 

No, Tennessee law explicitly prohibits counties from regulating or prohibiting normal agricultural activities. The status of property as a "Greenbelt" property does not change as long as your property use does not change. For more information about the Greenbelt program, contact the Knox County Property Assessor's office. 

Will this raise my property taxes? 

Taxes and zoning are often confused as being directly linked, leading to concerns that a new zoning designation will automatically trigger a higher tax bill. Taxes are based on land use, not zoning, so the change to zoning would not impact your Greenbelt standing or your taxes.The Greenbelt designation is not a zoning designation, so it will not be impacted by the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). One of the benefits of the Greenbelt designation is to value land based upon its present use, rather than at its highest and best use. For more information on taxes, contact the Knox County Tax Assessor's office. 

Can I still farm if my property is zoned Rural Residential (RR)? 

Under the current Agricultural (A) zone, farming is permitted by right, but the name of the new Rural Residential (RR) district has caused concern that agricultural activities would no longer be allowed. Tennessee law explicitly prohibits counties from regulating or prohibiting normal agricultural activities. 

Farming is permitted in the proposed RR zone. You can continue to farm your land just as you do today. Livestock is permitted in the proposed RR, AR, and RP zones. The draft code defines agriculture to include growing crops and raising livestock for sale, personal food production, donation, and/or educational purposes. 

Why did my zoning change if my neighborhood has restrictive covenants? 

Your zoning has not changed. The map is still in draft form. Property owners often assume that their neighborhood's restrictive covenants (such as minimum lot sizes) dictate their zoning, or vice versa. 

 Zoning districts do not influence restrictive covenants, and restrictive covenants do not dictate zoning. Restrictive covenants are private, legally binding agreements between property owners (often established by a developer or HOA). They run with the land and apply to all future owners. The County enforces zoning regulations, but it does not enforce private restrictive covenants.  

How many dwellings can you have on one lot in RR, RP, and AR? 

What is in the current code: The existing ordinance has complex and sometimes rigid rules regarding adding additional dwellings for family members on agricultural land. 

What is proposed in the draft UDO and why: The number of dwellings depends on the individual property location and size. However, the new UDO includes an Agricultural Family Subdivision Exemption (Article 16.04), which allows a landowner to subdivide a parcel to allow a family member(s) to establish a residence on the property, providing flexibility for farming families. 

Do I need to have a USDA Farm Number to request the new agricultural or rural zones? 

There has been confusion about the requirements to qualify for the new, more restrictive agricultural zones (AR and RP), but a USDA farm number is not required to request the Agricultural Rural (AR) or Rural Preservation (RP) zoning districts. 

Can we mail people the opt-in form? 

Staff will send a request form to anyone who wants to receive it by mail. The deadline has been removed and we are working to make the form as accessible as possible. 

What are the differences between RR, RP, and AR? 

What is in the current code: The existing Agricultural (A) zone is the primary rural zone, meaning property owners do not have options to choose a zoning designation that better matches their specific rural preservation goals or lot sizes. 

What is proposed in the draft UDO and why:The primary difference between the Rural Residential (RR), Rural Preservation (RP), and Agricultural Rural (AR) zones is intent and minimum lot size.

RR is most similar to the current A zone, with a 1-acre minimum, or as required by the Growth Policy Plan. RP requires a 2.5-acre minimum and allows uses like rural retreats. AR requires a 5-acre minimum. You can find a full comparison of these zones at advanceknox.org/udo/zoning/agriculture. 

How can I place AR zoning on my property and change the place type from SR to protect it from subdivision development in the future? 

What is proposed in the new UDO and why: The most restrictive zoning options in the UDO for conservation are Agricultural Rural (AR) or Rural Preservation (RP). To request AR zoning if you are currently zoned Agricultural (A), you can submit the request form. If you are zoned something other than Agricultural (A), you should add this as a comment on the draft map. Please note that while zoning can limit development, conservation easements remain the best option for perpetual land protection. 

How do current rezoning decisions (approvals and denials) impact the future zoning of a property? 

Current rezoning requests are guided by the adopted plans and codes in effect at the time of the request. The draft UDO map will be updated to reflect approved rezonings before final adoption. 

Can I list multiple properties on one request form, and can I include partially zoned parcels? 

Yes, you can list multiple properties on the  form. If your property has partial zoning or is not currently zoned A, you should add your request as a comment on the map. These map comments will be evaluated individually on a case-by-case basis.