Planning commission approves zoning text updates to align vesting rules with state law

The Knoxville Knox County Planning Commission approved amendments to City of Knoxville zoning code provisions intended to align the city’s vested‑rights rules with recent changes in Tennessee law. The changes will affect when vested rights begin, appeal deadlines and public notice of permits.

City attorney Christina McGraw of the City Law Department told commissioners the state law now ties the date when vested rights are created to the date an applicant submits a complete application that is in substantial compliance with zoning and development regulations, rather than the earlier rule tied to permit or plan approval. The state also extended vesting periods in ways that depend on appeal rights, McGraw said. The amendments align local Article 14.4 (zoning administrator), 15.3 (vesting) and 16.12 (zoning appeals) with Tennessee Code Annotated provisions cited by staff.

McGraw said the code changes also set a 30‑day appeal deadline for affected parties and reflect technology changes that allow the city to publish notice of issued building permits online. Commissioner Atch asked staff to circulate the new online permit search link to commissioners; McGraw said staff will email it to the commission.

The commission voted to approve the amendments on a motion and second; staff said the edits are needed for legal compliance with state law.

Ending: Planning staff said the changes are administrative in nature but required for legal conformity; commissioners were told staff will circulate the new online permit search link to the body.