The Planning Department is responsible for the following areas: long range planning (including the comprehensive plan and its included elements); short range planning (including the development and administration of a comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and zoning map with review of rezoning requests and proposed ordinance revisions); special studies (annexation studies, small area zoning studies, flood area studies and impact analysis); economic development and grants (in conjunction with other community development departments and including the development of state and federal grant applications seeking funding for such diverse functions as industrial development, infrastructure development, urban tree planting, parks and recreation, housing and center city redevelopment).

In addition, the department staff provides technical assistance to the Morristown Regional Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, City Council, Tree Board, the Mayor, and City Administrator. It also provides a liaison function with citizen groups and other governmental jurisdictions.

EnerGov Citizen Access Portal

Frequently Asked Questions

Zoning Ordinance

Recent Updates:

Landscape, Buffers and Screening: Chapter 33 (October 2008)
Exterior Lighting: Chapter 32
(January 2008)
Habitation of Rear Dwelling: Section 14-214
(October 2007)
Off-street parking, multi-family: Section 14-216-3
(June 2007)
Swimming Pool Parking Requirements: Section 14-216-3/e26
(October 2006)
Definition of Building Line: Section 14-203
(June 2006)

Zoning Ordinance Table of Contents

Zoning Ordinance

Subdivision Regulations Revised April 10, 2007

Developer's Guide For the City of Morristown
And it's Urban Growth Boundary




Morristown Regional Planning Commission & Board of Zoning Appeals

The Morristown Regional Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meet every second Tuesday of the month at 4:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at the City Center. For applications, fees and deadline dates, please see the links below:

Annexation is the legal procedure by which a city adds land to its jurisdiction in order to extend its services, laws and voting privileges to better meet the needs of residents. Areas within the Morristown Urban Growth Boundary have been approved by the State of Tennessee as appropriate to consider for future annexation into the city. For more information on annexation, please read our Citizen Information Bulletin on Annexation or call the Department of Community Development at (423) 585-4620.

The Morristown Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) was established by Public Chapter 1101 on May 19, 1998. The UGB acts as a guide for the growth of the city in the coming years. Areas within the UGB have been approved for the expansion of the city limits through annexation, although this doesn’t mean formal plans have been made for such annexation in any given area. The Morristown Regional Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals review all requests submitted to the Hamblen County Planning Department for properties located within the UGB. For more information on this process, please contact the Hamblen County Planning and Zoning office at (423) 581-1373.