QUICK FACTS: CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS

(Knox County)

The Knox County Zoning Ordinance defines Child Day Care Facilities as facilities licensed by the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services which provide nonmedical care to children under 18 years of age in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual on less than a 24-hour basis.

 

Categories for child day care facilities:

FAMILY DAY CARE HOME:

A residence in which care, protection, and supervision are regularly provided for at least 5 but not more than 7 children. The provider shall live in the residence. Any children who are related to the provider by blood, or marriage, or who are legal wards or foster children of the provider, and reside with the provider, shall not be included in this number; however, the total number of children receiving care shall not exceed 12.

  • Is a Permitted Use in Zones: RA, RB, PR, and A

GROUP DAY CARE HOME:

A residence in which care, protection, and supervison are regularly provided for at least 8 but not more than 12 children, including any children related to the provider by blood, or marriage, or who are legal wards or foster children of the provider.

  • Is a Permitted Use in Zones: RA, RB, PR, and A
  • May be permitted as a Use On Review in Zones: RA, RB, PR, and A, (If provider does not live on site)

CHILD DAY CARE CENTER:

An agency or organization providing care, protection, and supervision for 13 or more children in a group center, pre-school, or extended day care facility.

  • May be permitted as a Use On Review in Zones: RA, RB, PR, A, CA, CB, PC, SC, T, OA, OB, BP, LI, and I

 

PLEASE NOTE:

No type of Child Day Care Facilities are permitted in zones: RAE, OS, E, or CH.

 

Materials that must be submitted by the standard deadline:

 A completed application form

 Ten (10) copies of the site plan that meet the following minimum requirements:

  • The lot must be at least 10,000 square feet,
  • The building must have at least 30 square feet of usable indoor play space per child,
  • A fenced outdoor play area of at least 2,500 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.

 A review fee.

 

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

County appeals are heard by the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals. The appeal must be filed with the Knox County Codes Administration office within 30 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 Child Day Care Centers and Group Day Care Homes, when considered as uses permitted on review, are detailed in the Knox County Zoning Ordinance, Article 4, Section 91. For additional information, contact MPC by telephone, (865) 215-2500 or by FAX, (865) 215-2068.