Middle housing in Knoxville

What Knoxville City Council has decided about middle housing, duplexes and accessory dwellings in existing neighborhoods.

Where this stands

The record holds 23 decisions on this, from April 2013 to September 2026, at the City of Knoxville City Council. [1] [23]

The most recent was on September 15, 2026: Overturn Planning Commission denial for housing at 1409 W. Fifth Avenue — adopted 7-0-0-2. [23]

4 of them were decided by a split vote. [18] [20] [21] [22]

4 of them were deferrals to a later meeting. [3] [7] [11] [12]

Who voted how — City of Knoxville City Council

Member	Jan 23, 2024 [11–15]	Feb 6, 2024 [16]	Feb 6, 2024 [18]	Mar 5, 2024 [19]	Sep 2, 2025 [20]	Sep 16, 2025 [21]	Sep 15, 2026 [22]	Sep 15, 2026 [23]
Amelia Parker	Absent	Aye	No	Aye	No	No	Aye	Aye
Andrew Roberto	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	—	—
Charles Thomas	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Absent	Aye	Aye
Debbie Helsley	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	No	Aye
Denzel Grant	—	—	—	—	—	—	Aye	Aye
Doug Lloyd	—	—	—	—	—	—	Aye	Aye
Gwen McKenzie	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Absent	—	—
Karyn Adams	—	—	—	—	—	—	Absent	Absent
Lauren Rider	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	—	—
Lynne Fugate	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Absent	Aye	Absent	Absent
Matthew DeBardelaben	—	—	—	—	—	—	Aye	Aye
Nathan Honeycutt	—	—	—	—	—	—	Aye	Aye
Seema Singh	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	No	Aye	—	—
Tommy Smith	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	Aye	—	—

Also decided outside the bodies we cover

Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission — recommends zoning-code amendments and hears cases before council

Every step on the record (23 related decisions, oldest first)

[1] · City of Knoxville City Council
April 30, 2013

R-142-2013

Resolution approving Norwood Homeowners Association appeal on Use on Review

Unanimous Adopted 9-0-0-0
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for April 30, 2013.
[2] · City of Knoxville City Council
July 26, 2022

12-b

Amend code for single family and duplex development flexibility

Withdrawn Withdrawn 8-0-0-1
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for July 26, 2022.
[3] · City of Knoxville City Council
July 11, 2023

11-a

Request Planning Commission to consider eliminating Special Use for duplexes in RN-2 zones

Deferred Deferred 8-0-0-1
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for July 11, 2023.
[4] · City of Knoxville City Council
July 25, 2023

R-231-2023

Request Knoxville-Knox County Planning to recommend eliminating special use for duplexes in RN-2

Motion: Motion to approve the resolution

Unanimous Adopted 9-0-0-0
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for July 25, 2023.
[5] · City of Knoxville City Council
July 25, 2023

R-231-2023

Request Knoxville-Knox County Planning to recommend eliminating special use for duplexes in RN-2

Motion: Motion to amend the resolution to insert: "The Planning Commission include in their recommendation a review of dimensional standards, including minimum lot size, lot coverage, and setbacks."

Unanimous Adopted 9-0-0-0
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for July 25, 2023.
[6] · City of Knoxville City Council
September 5, 2023

10-a

Approve appeal regarding zoning code amendments for middle housing

Consent Adopted no recorded vote
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for September 5, 2023.
[7] · City of Knoxville City Council
September 5, 2023

12-b

Amend zoning code regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

Deferred Deferred 9-0-0-0
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for September 5, 2023.
[8] · City of Knoxville City Council
November 14, 2023

R-384-2023

Request Planning consider RN-1 districts for Missing Middle Housing Proposal

Motion: Motion to approve the resolution

Unanimous Adopted 8-0-0-1
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for November 14, 2023.
[9] · City of Knoxville City Council
November 14, 2023

R-384-2023

Request Planning consider RN-1 districts for Missing Middle Housing Proposal

Motion: Motion to amend the resolution by inserting the words 'within the TDR area' after the word 'districts' in Section 1, and by inserting the word 'a' after the second 'as' in Section 1.

Adopted no recorded vote
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for November 14, 2023.
[10] · City of Knoxville City Council
January 9, 2024

10-d

Postpone resolution regarding zoning appeal for 22-bedroom duplex

Unanimous Adopted 9-0-0-0
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for January 9, 2024.
[11] · City of Knoxville City Council
January 23, 2024

10-a

Resolution on appeal of a zoning administrator's decision regarding a duplex classification

Deferred Deferred 8-0-0-1
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for January 23, 2024.
[12] · City of Knoxville City Council
January 23, 2024

12-a

Ordinance to amend Accessory Dwelling Unit standards in the Zoning Code

Deferred Deferred 8-0-0-1
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for January 23, 2024.
[13] · City of Knoxville City Council
January 23, 2024

Ordinance to amend Zoning Code for new Middle Housing Standards and related revisions

Failed Failed no recorded vote
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for January 23, 2024.
[14] · City of Knoxville City Council
January 23, 2024

Ordinance to amend Zoning Code for new Middle Housing Standards and related revisions

Adopted no recorded vote
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for January 23, 2024.
[15] · City of Knoxville City Council
January 23, 2024

Ordinance to amend Zoning Code for new Middle Housing Standards and related revisions

Unanimous Adopted 8-0-0-1
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for January 23, 2024.
[16] · City of Knoxville City Council
February 6, 2024

10-a

Approve appeal regarding duplex classification as Independent Living Facility

Withdrawn Withdrawn 9-0-0-0
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for February 6, 2024.
[17] · City of Knoxville City Council
February 6, 2024

O-10-2024

Amend Knoxville City Code Zoning Code to add Middle Housing Standards

Motion: Motion to amend the ordinance by inserting the words "and shall be" before the word "located" in section 4.6

Adopted no recorded vote
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for February 6, 2024.
[18] · City of Knoxville City Council
February 6, 2024

O-10-2024

Amend Knoxville City Code Zoning Code to add Middle Housing Standards

Motion: Motion to approve the ordinance, as amended

Split Adopted 8-1-0-0
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for February 6, 2024.
[19] · City of Knoxville City Council
March 5, 2024

O-25-2024

Amend Knoxville City Zoning Code for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) standards

Unanimous Adopted 9-0-0-0
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for March 5, 2024.
[20] · City of Knoxville City Council
September 2, 2025

7-C-25-OA

Ordinance to amend Zoning Code concerning Middle Housing Standards, etc

Split Adopted 6-2-0-1
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for September 2, 2025.
[21] · City of Knoxville City Council
September 16, 2025

Ordinance to amend Zoning Code regarding housing and development

Split Adopted 6-1-0-2
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for September 16, 2025.
[22] · City of Knoxville City Council
September 15, 2026

R-256-2026

Overturn Planning Commission denial for housing at 1415 W Fifth Avenue

Split Adopted 6-1-0-2
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for September 15, 2026.
[23] · City of Knoxville City Council
September 15, 2026

R-257-2026

Overturn Planning Commission denial for housing at 1409 W. Fifth Avenue

Unanimous Adopted 7-0-0-2
Roll call & discussion →

Source: official minutes (PDF) for September 15, 2026.

A curated grouping of the record, possibly incomplete.