Knox County Tennesee

The Blighted Property Ordinance defines a blighted (or deteriorated) property as any vacant structure, vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground, whether residential, commercial or industrial in a predominately built-up neighborhood which because of physical condition or use is regarded as:

• A public nuisance (either by common law or in accordance with local property maintenance, building, plumbing, fire or related codes);
• An attractive nuisance to children, including, but not limited to, abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations, and unsafe fences or structures;
• Unfit for human habitation;
• A fire hazard, or is otherwise dangerous to the safety of persons or property;
• A place for accumulation of trash and debris, or a haven for rodents or other vermin; and
• Tax delinquent for a period of at least three years.

Also considered blighted (or deteriorated) properties are those that have not been rehabilitated within the time constraints placed upon the owner by the appropriate code enforcement agency.  Property used for agricultural purposes cannot be deemed blighted or deteriorated under the above conditions.  Knox County will address these problem properties through the Codes Enforcement Office.  To report a blighted property, contact the Office of Neighborhoods at 215-HELP or email neighborhoods@knoxcounty.org