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Planning and Codes
Planning Services
Staff coordinates all non-residential site development projects, including those for multi-family dwelling units, from start to finish. Projects are guided by facilitating a Development Review Team made up of departmental staff representing planning, building codes, fire, engineering, electric and new service. Upon completion of a project, and having satisfied departmental requirements, a certificate of occupancy will be issued by the building official or codes enforcement officer.
Including the rezoning of property and assignments of zoning for annexations. Upon review, or following completion of written drafts prepared by staff, recommendations are made to the Alcoa Regional/Municipal Planning Commission. The Planning Commission adopts resolutions that recommend action to be taken by the Alcoa Board of Commissioners.
This includes review of preliminary and final plats, as well as re-plats and plats of correction, for compliance with subdivision and zoning and land use control regulations. Staff makes recommendations to the Alcoa Regional/Municipal Planning Commission. As with the zoning and land use control regulations, subdivision standards may also need revising from time to time. Staff prepares written drafts, recommending any changes, which are then adopted in the form of a resolution by the planning commission.
This includes site plans involving all non-residential development, including multi-family dwelling units, to ensure compliance with such requirements as setbacks, open space, maximum lot coverage, circulation, parking, landscaping, tree replacement and etc. Staff recommendations are then forwarded to Alcoa Regional/Municipal Planning Commission. Landscaping is by separate staff recommendation for approval by the Alcoa Tree Board.
Staff inspects site layouts such as parking, signage, vehicular/pedestrian circulation and landscaping. These inspections may take place at various stages, upon requests, with a final required prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy by the building official or codes enforcement officer.
Building Inspections
Building inspections (i.e., footers/foundation surveys required, framing, preliminary/final mechanical and plumbing/sanitary sewer lines 6 inch or less), are performed separately by codes staff of the Planning and Codes Department. Sanitary sewer lines greater than six inches are inspected by staff of the Public Works and Engineering Department. Appointments are scheduled by calling 865-380-4730.
Fire Safety & Prevention Inspections
Fire safety and prevention inspections (i.e., sprinkler system, Knox Box, fire alarm and etc.), when required, are performed separately by the fire marshal of the City of Alcoa Fire Department. Appoints are scheduled by calling 865-380-4998.
On-Site & Off-Site Engineering Inspections
On-site and off-site engineering inspections (i.e., streets or street access/state rights-of-way require additional approval by TDOT, stormwater management/stormwater detention and water quality certifications required, sediment and erosion control, public sanitary sewer and any lines greater than 6 inches, public water/state approvals may be required by TDEC, grease traps, backflow prevention and etc., as well as improvements to any other similar public utility infrastructure) are preformed separately by staff of the Public Works and Engineering Department
All departmental requirements stipulated to the project shall be satisfied prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
This includes review of all building and ground-mounted signage to ensure compliance with all requirements. Staff issues permits.
Review of Annexation Requests
Upon review, staff recommendations are made to the Alcoa Regional/Municipal Planning Commission. The planning commission adopts resolutions that recommend action to be taken by the Alcoa Board of Commissioners.
Review of Special Exceptions, Variances, Zoning Ordinance Interpretations & Appeal Requests
Upon review, staff recommendations are made to the Alcoa Board of Zoning Appeals. The Alcoa Regional Planning Commission may also act on these same requests.
Staff drafts or may review special plans for consideration by the Alcoa Regional/Municipal Planning Commission, which may include the Alcoa Board of Commissioners, for comprehensive planning studies such as land use plans, greenway/trail plans, boulevard plans, community facilities plans, major road plans, annexation plans and plan of services, as well as those related to the United States census or other special census studies.
Codes Services
Staff assists customer’s with questions regarding new construction, additions, repairs, remodeling, walk-through and permitting procedures; provides information regarding foundation surveys, elevation certificates for floodplain areas, and permitting procedures for construction of principal and accessory structures, including swimming pools, decks, fences and accessory structures; investigates citizen complaints regarding overgrown lots, housing conditions, abandoned vehicles and procedures for compliance thereof.
Our staff handles permit application, approval, and issuance.
Plumbing and Gas/Mechanical Contractor Licensing
The Staff requires all plumbing work to be licensed and to obtain permits for any work. Permits are also issued for all gas/mechanical work.
Inspections
Conducted by appointment, 24-hour advance notice, which include footers, framing, preliminary gas/mechanical, plumbing, final gas/mechanical and final inspection for certificate of occupancy. All permit fees must be paid before an inspection can be scheduled. Call the staff for an appointment. Electrical inspections are performed by State Inspector Gale Carter.
Fire & Safety Inspections
The Staff works jointly with the Alcoa Fire Department in conducting fire and safety inspections. These inspections occur on a scheduled basis or when there is a change in occupancy in a building. New commercial plans are reviewed and construction is inspected to ensure compliance with fire codes. Codes staff will contact the appropriate fire personnel for inspections.
Residential Housing Construction
Pursuant to TCA 62-6-103, a property owner, acting as his own contractor, may be permitted to construct up to one personal residence per two years without a license. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that such person or firm intends to construct for the purpose of resale, lease, rent or any other similar purpose if more than one application is made for a permit to construct a single residence or if more than one single residence is constructed within a period of two years.
- International Building Code [IBC]
(2018 Edition/International Code Council/ICC) - International Residential Code [IRC]
(2018 Edition/International Code Council/ICC) - International Mechanical Code [IMC]
(2018 Edition/International Code Council/ICC) - International Plumbing Code [IPC]
(2018 Edition/International Code Council/ICC) - International Property Maintenance Code [IPMC]
(2018 Edition/International Code Council/ICC) - International Energy Conservation Code [IECC]
(2018 Edition/International Code Council/ICC) - International Fire Code [IFC]
(2018 Edition/International Code Council/ICC) - Life Safety Code [NFPA 101]
(2018 Edition/National Fire Protection Association/NFPA) - National Electric Code [NEC]
(2017 Edition/National Fire Protection Association/NFPA)
Certain adopted codes have been amended, as shall be expected from time to time. To be informed of up to date requirements, please contact Gary Holloway (Building Official) or Joe Ellis (Codes Enforcement Officer) at 865-380-4730.
Upon determination that a violation of the Alcoa Municipal Code has occurred, a Codes Enforcement Officer will initiate the following procedure:
- The Codes Enforcement Officer shall issue a Notice of Municipal Code Violation by mail, with return receipt requested, or by personal service, notifying the offending party that a violation has occurred and allowing the person 10 working days to correct or abate such violation. The notice shall clearly identify the property, the particular violation involved, the action necessary to correct it, and the time permitted for any such correction.
- Where, after issuance of a Notice of Municipal Code Violation, but prior to the commencement of any judicial proceedings, the Codes Enforcement Officer determines that the person in violation is making a diligent effort to comply with the requirements of the Notice said Officer may stay initiation of further enforcement actions pending full compliance.
- Upon making a finding that a diligent effort is not being made to comply with the Alcoa Municipal Code, the Codes Enforcement Officer shall cite the offending party to the proper court authority.
Overgrown Lots
Alcoa Municipal Code 13-103
Prohibition. Pursuant to the authority granted to municipalities under Tennessee Code Annotated, § 6-54-113, it shall be unlawful for any owner of record of real property to create, maintain, or permit to be maintained on such property the growth of trees, vines, grass, underbrush and/or the accumulations of debris, trash, litter, or garbage or any combination of preceding elements so as to endanger the health, safety, or welfare of other citizens or to encourage the infestation of rats and other harmful animals.
For a more detailed explanation of complete regulations, please contact the Planning and Codes Department at 865-380-4730.
Vehicles on Private Property
Alcoa Municipal Code 14-2.2103. Storage of Rusted, Wrecked, Junked, Partly Dismantled, Inoperable or Abandoned Vehicles on Residential Property
No person shall park, store or leave, or permit the parking storage or leaving of any vehicle that is rusted, wrecked, junked, partly dismantled, inoperable or abandoned upon any residential property within the city for a period of more than ten (10) days unless such vehicle is completely enclosed in a building. All vehicles on residential property shall be parked or stored on asphalt, cement or any other impervious surface, or gravel or similar driveway, parking and vehicle storage area.
Alcoa Municipal Code 14-2.2104. Storage of Operable Vehicles on Residential Property
No more than four (4) operable vehicles may be parked or stored at a dwelling unit for more than a ten (10) day period unless they are enclosed in a building.
Alcoa Municipal Code14-2.2105. Exemption From Maximum Number of Operable Vehicles That May Be Parked or Stored Unenclosed at Residential Property
A household having more than four drivers, each with their own vehicle, may apply for an exemption from the City Manager, or designee, for consideration. Exemptions will be applicable for up to one year from the date of their approval and will need to be renewed on an annual basis. Annual exemptions shall be based on each driver having a valid Tennessee driver’s license, with the same address as that where the vehicle is to be parked. An application form, available at the offices of the Department of Planning and Codes, must be completed with the required documentation.
Alcoa Municipal Code 14-2.2106. Vehicle Parking in Front Yard on Residential Lots
The parking of vehicles on lawn compacts the soil, damages the landscaping and detracts from the visual appearance of not only the individual property, but of the neighborhood as well. Further, parking on an unimproved surface: 1) Stirs up dust; 2) Negatively impacts the aesthetics of the area; 3) Allows oils and other unwanted substances to drip onto untreated dirt surface, creating potential environmental problems. It is for that reason that no vehicle, including for the purposes of this paragraph a passenger vehicle, truck, van, motorized recreational vehicle, motorcycle, camper, golf cart, travel trailer, boat trailer, car trailer, or other similar vehicle, shall be routinely parked or stored on unsurfaced areas, such as dirt and grass, in the front yard of residential lots. Parking on sidewalks or bike paths is prohibited. The purpose of this regulation is to prevent excessive use of required front yards for the parking of vehicles.
Alcoa Municipal Code 14-2.2107. Vehicles Stored in Residential Side & Rear Yards
Up to two (2) trailers, golf carts, boats, or similar vehicles may be stored on un-surfaced areas in the side and rear yard of residential lots.
Alcoa Municipal Code14-2.2108. Lot Coverage for Surfaced Driveway, Parking & Vehicle Storage Areas
Surfaced driveway, parking and vehicle storage areas include asphalt, cement, or any other impervious surface, or gravel or similar driveway, parking and vehicle storage area.
- Front yard limitations: No more than thirty percent (30%) of the front yard of any lot improved with a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced driveway, parking or vehicle storage area.
- Rear yard limitations: No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the rear yard of any lot improved with a single-family dwelling shall be surfaced driveway, parking or vehicle storage area. In addition, no surfaced area for a driveway providing access to garages, vehicle parking and storage areas, may be located closer than five (5) feet to a rear lot line or within a recorded easement.
- Side yard limitations: A surfaced area for parking or vehicle storage shall be located no closer than five (5) feet to a side lot line or within a recorded easement.
- Variances: The board of zoning appeals may, by the granting of a variance based on a hardship as defined by state statute and section of this Ordinance referring to the powers of the Board of Zoning Appeals, modify the minimum yard and building setback requirements or the maximum lot coverage for surfaced driveway, parking and vehicle storage areas contained in this division.
Alcoa Municipal Code 14-2.2109. Storage of Vehicles on Non-Residential Property
No business enterprise shall park, store or leave, or permit the parking, storage or leaving of any vehicle that is rusted, wrecked, junked, partly dismantled, inoperable or abandoned on any private property within the city for more than ten (10) days unless the vehicle is completely enclosed in a building or:
- The area of property devoted to the storage of the vehicle(s) is enclosed by a solid masonry wall or sight proof fence not less than six (6) feet high; and
- The area of property devoted to the storage of the vehicle(s) does not exceed seventy percent (70%) of the total lot area.
Alcoa Municipal Code 14-2.2110. Removal Required
The accumulation and storage of one or more nuisance vehicles in violation of the provisions of this chapter will be considered rubbish and debris detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the public. The registered owners of said vehicles and the person in control (owner, tenant, occupant or guest) of the property on which the vehicles are located shall be responsible for removal of the vehicles to a place of lawful storage or an enclosed building.