City Land Use Classifications

Refer to the appropriate Sector Plan for land use classifications in Knox County.

City of Knoxville

Research and Development (I-RD)

The I-RD District is intended to provide for large-scale office and research and development facilities, which may include pilot plants, prototype manufacturing or other light industrial activities conducted indoors and resulting in little or no outside impacts. The I-RD District also accommodates a variety of compatible or ancillary uses to serve employees, such as retail and personal service establishments.

City Zoning Districts
Code
Classification
Description
Location Criteria
Permitted Zones
BP-1

Business Park Type 1
BP-1

Primary uses are light manufacturing, office and regionally- oriented warehouse/distribution services in which tractor- trailer transportation is to be a substantial portion of the operations. A zoning category which requires site plan review is expected in the development or redevelopment of such areas. Site plans shall address landscaping, lighting, signs, drainage, and other concerns that are raised in the rezoning process. Substantial landscaped buffers are expected between uses of lesser intensity, particularly residential, office and agricultural uses.
  • Relatively flat sites (predominant slopes less than 6 percent) out of floodplains
    Relatively large sites (generally over 100 acres)
    Away from low and medium density areas or where truck traffic would have to go through such areas
    Areas with freeway and arterial highway access (generally within two miles of an interchange)
    Rail access is a consideration
    Can be served with sewer, water and natural gas
OP, I-MU, I-RD
BP-2

Business Park Type 2
BP-2

Primary uses are light manufacturing, offices, and locally- oriented warehouse/distribution services. Retail and restaurant services, developed primarily to serve tenants and visitors to the business park can be considered. A zoning category which requires site plan review is expected in the development or redevelopment of such areas. Site plans must include provisions for landscaping, lighting and signs. Substantial landscaped buffers are necessary between uses of lesser intensity, particularly residential, office and agricultural uses.
  • Relatively flat sites (predominant slopes less than 6 percent) out of floodplains
    Relatively large sites (generally over 100 acres)
    Away from low and medium density areas or where truck traffic would have to go through such areas
    Freeway and arterial highway access (generally within two miles of an interchange)
    Rail access is a consideration
    Can be served with sewer, water and natural gas
OP, I-MU, I-RD
LI

Light Industrial
LI

Typically older industrial areas used for the light manufacturing, assembling, warehousing and distribution of goods. Light industrial uses include such manufacturing as assembly of electronic goods and packaging of beverage or food products. Substantial landscaped buffers are expected between uses of lesser intensity, particularly residential, office and agricultural uses.
  • Existing industrial areas
    Within one mile of an interstate interchange with access via standard major collector or arterial streets
I-MU, I-RD, I-G
TP

Technology Park
TP

This land use primarily includes offices and research and development facilities. The target area for such development has been the Pellissippi Technology Corridor. Additional districts could be created in other areas of the city or county. The development standards that are adopted by the Tennessee Technology Corridor Development Authority should be used for such districts.
  • Within the Technology Corridor or subsequent areas designated for Technology Park development
    Sites near freeway interchanges or along major arterials
    Water, sewer and natural gas utilities available
OP, I-RD