KNOXVILLE, TN (WOKI) —Knox County and Knoxville-Knox County Planning have embarked upon the third and final stage of Advance Knox – the creation of a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The purpose of this process is to update the County’s development regulations to better reflect the goals and place types set forth in the Comprehensive Plan by creating a modern, efficient, user-friendly document.

The final document will include standards for site design and building development that include zoning, street standards, subdivision regulations, stormwater regulations, and fire and building codes. Providing these in a single document will allow the County to review developments effectively, avoid overlapping regulations, and be more accessible and easier to navigate for all users.

To begin this work, a consultant team led by Orion Planning + Design has started a comprehensive audit to assess the County’s current development regulations. They have also started meeting with technical and community stakeholders and will host a series of public events later this fall. To receive updates about upcoming meetings and other news, you can sign up for newsletter updates at advanceknox.org/subscribe.

“The creation of the UDO is the last step in the process that will help guide growth and development for years to come,” said Mayor Jacobs. “I am looking forward to bringing our outdated regulations into alignment with the work we have already completed, and the input from the community and various stakeholders over the past several years.”

For more information, visit advanceknox.org for news updates, a timeline, upcoming meeting information, and opportunities to get involved. For other inquiries, please contact the project team at [email protected].