QUICK FACTS: CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS

(City of Knoxville)

The Knoxville Zoning Ordinance regulates child day care centers as Private Day Nurseries or Kindergartens. These include any agency, organization, or individual providing care for six or more children, who are not related by blood or marriage, and who are not legal wards or foster children of the attendant adult . All facilities must be licensed by the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services.

PRIVATE DAY NURSERIES and KINDERGARTENS may be permitted as a Use on Review in the following zones:

R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, RP-1, RP-2, RP-3, C-3, PC-1, and PC-2.

In these zones they must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • The lot must be at least 15,000 square feet
  •  The building must have at least 35 square feet of space per child (at least 75% must be in the primary care area of the building)
  • A fenced outdoor play area of at least 4,000 square feet for up to 20 children, with an additional 100 square feet of play space for each additional child. The fence must be at least four (4) feet high
  • The outdoor play area must be at least 35 feet from any public street
  • Two (2) off-street parking spaces per three (3) teachers and employees, and one (1) off-street loading space per eight (8) children
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    PRIVATE DAY NURSERIES and KINDERGARTENS are a permitted use in the C-2 Central Business District, subject to the following minimum requirements:

  • The building must contain 70 square feet of usable play area per child, including at least 35 square feet per child for large motor skills activities
  • There must be at least 50 square feet of usable outdoor play space per child
  • The outdoor play area must be enclosed with a fence that is at least four (4) feet high
  • The outdoor play area should be at least 35 feet from any public street. If the area is closer, a vehicle barrier approved by the City of Knoxville Department of Engineering must be constructed to protect the area
  • Appropriate surfaces must be installed under play equipment
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    Materials that must be submitted by the standard deadline:

  •  A completed application form
  •  Ten (10) copies of the site plan that meet the minimum requirements as stated on the reverse side
  •  A review fee
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    MPC staff must certify plans prior to obtaining building permits.

    Use On Review requests may be:

    A. Denied

    B. Approved - Planning Commission approval becomes effective after the appropriate appeal period has expired. (After the appeal period, the applicant may apply for a building permit.)

    C. Approved with Conditions - The Planning Commission may impose any conditions regarding the location, character, or other features of the proposed use as it deems appropriate. (After the appeal period, the applicant may apply for a building permit, subject to any conditions approved by MPC.)

    Appeal of MPC Decisions:

    City appeals are heard by City Council. The appeal must be filed with MPC within 15 days from the date of the MPC public hearing.

     

     

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    Disclaimer

    This is not a legal document. It does not replace or amend the existing regulations governing the development process. Development standards for Private Day Nurseries and Kindergartens, when considered as uses permitted on review, are detailed in the City of Knoxville Zoning Ordinance, Article 5, Section 3.G.4. For additional information, contact MPC by telephone, (865) 215-2500 or by FAX, (865) 215-2068.