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Zoning Library › Tennessee › Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga, TN zoning: where a drive-thru restaurant is allowed

Hamilton County · 79 districts on file · last read 2026-11-14 · data.json

Is a drive-thru allowed in Chattanooga, TN?

A drive-thru restaurant is allowed by right (no conditional use permit, special exception or rezoning) in these zoning districts: C-R, I-H, I-L, INST.

It needs a conditional or special use approval in: C-C.

It is not allowed in 15 districts: A-1, C-MU1, C-MU2, C-N, C-NT, I-X, OS, R-MH, RN-1-3, RN-1-5, RN-1-6, RN-1-7.5, RN-2, RN-3, TRN-3.

59 districts are not confirmed yet.

Drive-thru restaurant rule by zoning district

DistrictDrive-thru restaurantWhat the code saysSectionSourceRead on
A-1Not allowedTable 38-41.1: blank cell = use not allowed in the zone.
Drive-Through Facility cell blank.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
B-CX-12Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
B-CX-20Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
B-PKNot confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-CConditionalTable 38-41.1 Drive-Through Facility: SE in C-C; P in C-R, I-L, I-H (note 1), INST; standalone P in I-MU.
SE = special exception permit; 4 stacking spaces per lane.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-CIVNot confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-CX-9Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-CX-12Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-MU1Not allowedTable 38-41.1: blank cell = use not allowed in the zone.
Drive-Through Facility cell blank.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-MU2Not allowedTable 38-41.1: blank cell = use not allowed in the zone.
Drive-Through Facility cell blank.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-NNot allowedTable 38-41.1: blank cell = use not allowed in the zone.
Drive-Through Facility cell blank.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-NTNot allowedTable 38-41.1: blank cell = use not allowed in the zone.
Drive-Through Facility cell blank.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-PKNot confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
C-RBy rightTable 38-41.1 Drive-Through Facility: SE in C-C; P in C-R, I-L, I-H (note 1), INST; standalone P in I-MU.
By right; use standard (a): at least 4 stacking spaces per lane or bay.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1; use standard (a)zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-CIV-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-CX-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-CX-8Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-CX-12Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-CX-20Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-PKNot confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-RA-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-RM-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-SH-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
D-SH-8Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-CX-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-CX-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-IN-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-IX-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-IX-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-RA-2Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-RA-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-RD-2Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-RD-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-RM-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-SH-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
E-SH-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
I-HBy rightTable 38-41.1 Drive-Through Facility: SE in C-C; P in C-R, I-L, I-H (note 1), INST; standalone P in I-MU.
P with table note 1 (not read); 4 stacking spaces per lane.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
I-LBy rightTable 38-41.1 Drive-Through Facility: SE in C-C; P in C-R, I-L, I-H (note 1), INST; standalone P in I-MU.
By right; use standard (a): at least 4 stacking spaces per lane or bay.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1; use standard (a)zoneomics.com2026-11-14
I-XNot allowedTable 38-41.1: blank cell = use not allowed in the zone.
Drive-Through Facility cell blank.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
INSTBy rightTable 38-41.1 Drive-Through Facility: SE in C-C; P in C-R, I-L, I-H (note 1), INST; standalone P in I-MU.
By right; use standard (a): at least 4 stacking spaces per lane or bay.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1; use standard (a)zoneomics.com2026-11-14
OSNot allowedTable 38-41.1: blank cell = use not allowed in the zone.
Drive-Through Facility cell blank.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-CIV-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-CIV-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-MHNot allowedTable 38-41.1: Drive-Through Facility cells blank in RN, TRN and R-MH.
Residential district.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-PKNot confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-RF-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-RF-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-RF-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-RV-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
R-RV-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
RN-1-3Not allowedTable 38-41.1: Drive-Through Facility cells blank in RN, TRN and R-MH.
Residential district.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
RN-1-5Not allowedTable 38-41.1: Drive-Through Facility cells blank in RN, TRN and R-MH.
Residential district.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
RN-1-6Not allowedTable 38-41.1: Drive-Through Facility cells blank in RN, TRN and R-MH.
Residential district.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
RN-1-7.5Not allowedTable 38-41.1: Drive-Through Facility cells blank in RN, TRN and R-MH.
Residential district.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
RN-2Not allowedTable 38-41.1: Drive-Through Facility cells blank in RN, TRN and R-MH.
Residential district.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
RN-3Not allowedTable 38-41.1: Drive-Through Facility cells blank in RN, TRN and R-MH.
Residential district.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
TRN-3Not allowedTable 38-41.1: Drive-Through Facility cells blank in RN, TRN and R-MH.
Residential district.		Zoning Code Table 38-41.1zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-CC-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-CIV-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-CIV-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-CIV-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-CX-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-CX-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-CX-5Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-CX-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-IN-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-IN-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-IX-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-IX-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-IX-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-IX-8Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-PKNot confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-RA-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-RD-2Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-RM-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-SH-3Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-SH-4Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
U-SH-6Not confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14
W-NNot confirmedNot read closely enough to state a rule.zoneomics.com2026-11-14

"By right" means permitted with site plan and building permit review only. Overlay districts, planned developments (PD/PUD) and conditions attached to a past rezoning can change the answer for a single parcel.

Official zoning map layer

To find the district for a parcel, query the jurisdiction's own GIS zoning layer: https://services5.arcgis.com/74bZbbuf05Ctvbzv/arcgis/rest/services/Chattanooga_Zoning/FeatureServer/0 (district field: new_zone)

Chattanooga zoning after the Dec 18 2024 code (field new_zone). Form-based districts (B-, C-CX, D-, E-, U-, R-RF/RV/CIV/PK, W-N) are outside Table 38-41.1.

Sources

How to confirm before you buy

  1. Look up the parcel on the official zoning map to get its district and any overlay.
  2. Open the code section linked in the table and read the use table and the drive-thru standards.
  3. Call the planning office and ask whether a drive-thru restaurant needs anything beyond site plan review at that address.

Why this library exists

I'm Luke Smith. I find land for drive-thru brands like 7 Brew, Ellianos Coffee and Starbucks, sign the tenant, build the shop and sell it as a net lease property. Every deal starts with the same question: is the use allowed here without a rezoning? Getting that answer takes too long, so we read the codes (with AI research help), and I publish what we find with a link back to every source so you can check it yourself.

If you have a site that fits a drive-thru, or you want to learn how these deals are put together, join the free Reverse Deal Finder community on Skool, see cap rates and land prices by brand, or call 1-760-392-1525. Brokers welcome: I pay commissions.