[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,96],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":43,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6146556,"mediaKeyId","5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b","parentId",5526097,"title","City describes scooter rules, operator tech and 311/dashboard upgrades at workshop","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4311000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b&start=4311&end=4311","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b/thumbnail_4311000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146556/Tennessee/City-describes-scooter-rules-operator-tech-and-311dashboard-upgrades-at-workshop","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146556-54e12231f5b9b9c033ac599aebc9aff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1769700025&Signature=nP8Mv95J2f9yXTMhANC5SH9JiLN3vwBP~x5R~iLIdXDfpqVKCkkQuFl4WZ4XenJTquKoy~5gw2HSgYSJdqGzUHNhAHHcdF-dR3WvHp1qcxr0qmMnCsNlHtfXTbhWn~aD5XeTw9LChW16yFBpPdrak9keJ7Lp8YLHy2Ny1bNGjajepkId0nPrXB2HrIaAtdpe-IXbxyPzCnxjhApzjT730WAmJvB0B~RUf6yg2oMGMhmi4zUeAUxOiguMI9oSe6lBANVr7zjiLQ9eXoGjPRgPi4UfdZZsXUnEWU-V7cxx39VPJbQwwMD-OLKUgo3PsDDQPCiddjyam6riUGVLi5u7OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Knoxville, TN","date","2025-08-03T19:24:26.913Z","article","Transportation and service-innovation staff described the city’s approach to shared electric scooters, how operators use geofencing and in‑app enforcement and how 311 and IT improvements will give callers better follow-up on complaints.

John Livengood, transportation engineer, and Chad West summarized scooter operations: two operators — Bird (black dots on the city map) and Lime (green dots) — operate under city agreements with standard hours from 7 a.m. to midnight and a no‑ride geofence on University of Tennessee game weekends (no ride from 11 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Sunday). Staff said first‑half 2025 usage included roughly 90,000 trips and about 85,000 miles, with an average ride of a little under one mile.

On enforcement, staff described new operator features that use machine learning and geofencing to prevent improper parking and riding in restricted zones. West described an AI‑assisted validation that will prevent riders from ending a trip if a scooter is parked in a restricted location and generates in‑app prompts and emails to remind riders of proper parking. Staff emphasized geofence accuracy can vary and that in‑app systems are being improved to reduce sidewalk riding and improperly parked scooters.

311 and IT improvements: Russ Jensen, director of 311, and Carter Hall described current service-request workflows. Every caller receives a service‑request number and can view a request’s workflow in an online portal; callers who provide contact information can use that number to ask 311 for updates. Jensen said staff are evaluating automated follow-up messages and that the city has budgeted work on a new website and a data dashboard that can overlay 311 complaints, police data and code enforcement for targeted sweeps.

Ending: Council members urged continued improvements to geofencing and rider controls and supported automated 311 follow-up so complainants can see outcomes without calling back; staff said upgrades and dashboard work are underway.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council WS R 3877 250731","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reviewed scooter operator rules and new app- and AI-based parking/geofence enforcement, and 311 and IT staff outlined steps to provide service-request updates and a data dashboard for targeted enforcement.","taxTitle","City Council Workshop Meetings, Knoxville City, Knox County, Tennessee","taxId",69352,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":84,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":85,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72},6146559,"Short‑term rental renewals, affidavits and state preemption explained to council",683,3097000,3780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b&start=3097&end=3780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b/thumbnail_3097000.jpg","/articles/6146559/Tennessee/Shortterm-rental-renewals-affidavits-and-state-preemption-explained-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146559-d1461e86cec1ac65ff576102d79b6e4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1769700025&Signature=VHckmyfHqYW8kf1hwTcO1QQZq-Mz-MjIRo2kLtLFjpKuIT1jLz66rh-p4LdaJWHmwKG1q-tI4z0SMVqqkqBNwRylGcY5A4V8TSiHYWAq81~Map-RqpnIQfrWv617BZ~6OFuTNssIhRqHRZfQ8T1L2I7r4-6hPcYujVHuR9A~0IITyfioKc3UoLyRlrHMlzApS-eOV1-RbJD57oofJ7nV0nNGmQlyF21sW8JLu--PwIyrkTE48SUoDVfK2KVkqSOrmcT2mvQRkkH5ZSbL306MD9WWYSHYMVHBTL3nb6SeAn0k7SANeclVCaAkJd-16e3iUZzN3BaIUS9WU7oA-cRBQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and a legal consultant told the City Council how Knoxville enforces its short‑term rental ordinance, how the city verifies owner residency and what legal limits it faces. Donna Dyer and Cheryl Ball described two permit types: a type‑1 operating permit for owner‑occupied units and a type‑2 permit for non‑owner‑occupied properties. The city’s counts were nearly even: 203 type‑1 permits and 197 type‑2 permits in the current inventory, as staff reported.

The city requires an annual renewal for short‑term rental permits, which includes resubmitting residency documentation and a signed affidavit. Cheryl Ball said the renewal process and affidavit were added after a prior council workshop and must be completed each year; there is a $50 renewal fee. Ball said the affidavit requires owners to attest that the rental is their primary residence. When neighbors raise complaints, the city’s contractor Host Compliance monitors online platforms and the city also maintains a hotline listed on the short‑term rental web page. Ball provided the contractor’s hotline number: (865) 337‑8275.

Legal limits and enforcement options: Stephanie O’Hara, a legal consultant with MTAS, explained the difficulty of proving residency fraud. “Residency is just a really hard thing to prove,” she said, noting that a court‑level action such as a declaratory‑judgment suit would likely be needed if staff were to challenge residency on the basis of falsified documents. Staff also noted state law limits and preemption: West and others said a state law that went into effect in January preempts some local ordinance provisions, constraining enforcement options and requiring careful legal steps to revoke permits. Chad West said revocation of a permit is available in limited circumstances, for example after repeated violations: “there’s only revocation if they have 3 violations,” he said.

How enforcement typically works: staff described a three‑notice process for noncompliant listings identified by Host Compliance, after which the city may issue a citation. Staff told council members that citations for short‑term rental violations have been rare since January 2024 and that many cases resolve when owners convert to long‑term rentals or otherwise come into compliance.

Ending: Council members pushed staff to continue using the annual affidavit and Host Compliance monitoring and asked staff to provide follow‑up information on whether the renewal and affidavit process is reducing nonowner residency violations. Staff said they will provide additional monitoring data on renewal compliance and enforcement outcomes on request.","Staff described owner‑occupied and non‑owner short‑term rental permits, the annual renewal and affidavit process, monitoring arrangements with Host Compliance and the legal limits imposed by state law.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":41,"_42":89,"_44":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":94,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":95,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72},6146564,"Council hears how zoning enforcement addresses front‑yard parking, unpermitted uses and commercial vehicles",3023000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b&start=3023&end=3023","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b/thumbnail_3023000.jpg","/articles/6146564/Tennessee/Council-hears-how-zoning-enforcement-addresses-frontyard-parking-unpermitted-uses-and-commercial-vehicles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146564-d6a34cf824ecebd3cb937b8c5f2b3aa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1769700025&Signature=LUTJ2IfIhniNc6fBHJ~NmtvsKkCHa6MV9ioc98NKjxzx9weOO8f7rIxsAepxGjZHYjYmJfHkbKHuzwj-~FPxALAxpGP2ijRVVvHDZK7GWhZNJa2WLUkglAsdIW5bcJm1nUt7DB5SW8fHkFUE6s~VqSm30JI9dxTtC-kCrp6IUWNlCnOugz4uJVqdXHCqpzbaSvF5MR9GJ8273BITfmQ1TIUDFGYgmD~yHBoQYyxA0x39lRB2oPV56cCADboohFaQe56CnVChurtRcwY6rY5tqO63pA2AIMxUpOkLAapltaU67yDWbRYDbguJKxNLkdZ0UXznnXCioKIy4KVpmz-U1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brian Barry, deputy director of zoning, told council members the most frequent zoning complaints involve prohibited uses, front‑yard parking and unpermitted work such as unpermitted accessory structures or conversions. “Front yard is not okay,” staff said during the presentation while explaining the zoning rules for single‑family and two‑family dwellings.

Barry and colleagues said the typical enforcement path begins with education and a notice of violation (NOV). Barry described a multi-step escalation: inspectors commonly issue multiple NOVs and, if issues persist, a citation can go to municipal or circuit court. Barry cited past cases from 2024 to illustrate escalations involving business activities in residential zones.

Council members asked specific questions: whether there is a numeric limit on vehicles for a household, how commercial vehicles are treated, and who is contacted when renters create violations. Barry said the zoning code prohibits parking in front and corner side yards except on approved driveways; driveway capacity determines how many cars are permitted on approved parking spaces. If a rental occupant is unresponsive, staff will contact the property owner and pursue NOVs directed to the owner.

Staff also described timing metrics: zoning complaints are typically inspected within about four days and, if compliance occurs, closed in roughly 17 days on average; when public‑service work orders are required (for example, mowing an overgrown lot) the end‑to‑end timeline averages longer. Staff reiterated that state law caps many municipal fines at $50 per day and that zoning’s enforcement often relies on NOVs and escalation to court for persistent violations.

Ending: Council members requested district breakdowns of zoning complaints and counts of invoices or citations actually issued; Barry said the data can be prepared for council and noted the department refers higher‑penalty enforcement (for example, stormwater violations) to technical departments when appropriate.","Zoning staff described common violations—front‑yard parking, prohibited uses, unpermitted work—and explained the standard notice-and-escalation process, limits on fines and when cases go to court.",{"_32":97,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":98,"_40":99,"_42":100,"_44":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":106,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":107,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72},6146569,"Knoxville staff outline property-maintenance enforcement, timelines and limits at council workshop",2395,257000,2652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b&start=257&end=2652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5526097-17310634474912ef60eab8bd7a1b6c5b/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6146569/Tennessee/Knoxville-staff-outline-property-maintenance-enforcement-timelines-and-limits-at-council-workshop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146569-6ba3c9db7e8a33c256ba84c7b52f81a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1769700025&Signature=anZAPtDYzXGHI-a5Ttr-c9usTWcnIbJR2gTLWUDIe7w7mHCkcfbYaVl7bEUOOcjV4J1HdDA2WEBHMjQb~35DM6keAUJO5Ee~WRyurrJrblSVttYCm~UQMtJsS9TaYH4zxoXR~UBN48tw0lGCR-w~4i1kGcqyhQS0apFy08UkDUgEQZ1Jxxaf3c1cc-AW4XI1fLxMlGI6JM2Uu0rAn--0Nld10fO86MM4FNV2t0RjxJz0VqVrKbUAadsJDWqFKt1H1SbDLOwlrnXFn97z6avJQtCOGo0i8zafHOV3MED1uvcTIsd43AYc2r~mAhnyc8pCtJvT-85Z~0gHLcEA4ONPmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Knoxville deputy chief operating officer Chad West told the City Council at a workshop that the city’s neighborhood codes program focuses on health and safety and on “identify[ing] and deter[ing] disinvestment” by addressing dirty and overgrown lots, inoperable vehicles, dilapidated housing and solid-waste violations. “The biggest thing that we are here to do from a codes enforcement stance is, to address safety and health issues,” West said. He said the office emphasizes education as the first enforcement step.

The presentation laid out typical compliance timelines and tools. West said property owners generally have seven days to correct an inoperable-vehicle issue on private property and 48 hours to remove a vehicle on public property. He described other common timeframes: 10 days for correcting dirty or overgrown lots and 30–120 days for many structure-repair orders depending on severity. “If it’s on private property, it’s 7 days,” West said. Scott Elder, codes enforcement section manager, explained the practical threshold for an “inoperable” vehicle: it must meet two listed criteria such as broken windows, flat tires or other defects before enforcement will proceed. “There’s there’s no limit on how many cars you can actually have as long as they’re functioning,” Elder said.

Why it matters: council members said frustrated neighbors often ask about pace and deterrence. Councilwoman Fugate pressed staff on fines and follow-up; West said state law caps most zoning- and code-related fines at $50 per day. Staff described other enforcement options beyond daily fines, including liens on properties and a code “lane” process that can build fees and penalties for structural problems; Laura Frost, speaking about liens, said they “seem to work better for, structural property.”

Staff described how the city now pursues layered enforcement on high-profile or long-running problem properties. West and other staff said they coordinate more with permitting, the police department and fire department and can pursue demolition or condemnation when a property is an active public-safety risk. West said the city has seen far fewer demolitions than during the 2010 housing downturn: “we’ve done 14” demolitions this year, four of them accessory structures, compared with roughly 130 in 2010.

Data and process details: staff said one complaint can generate multiple inspections and that improved software now schedules re-inspections automatically. West gave 2025 midyear volumes as background: roughly 3,200 dirty/overgrown-lot complaints and thousands of inspections across codes and zoning, noting the city’s IT team is working to separate public-versus-private-property tallies and produce clearer, district-level data. Russ Jensen, director of 311, and Carter Hall, deputy director of the Center for Service Innovation, outlined caller tools: every 311 service request produces a service-request number; requesters who provide contact information can view the request’s workflow online and use the number to get updates. Jensen said staff are evaluating automated follow-up messages for callers.

Discussion vs. decision: the session was informational; no ordinance or fines policy changes were proposed or voted on. Council members asked staff to return with more district-level breakdowns, counts of invoices/citations issued and clearer data on how often liens or fee invoices are used to resolve cases. West said staff can provide those figures on request.

Ending: Council members and staff emphasized continued use of education as the first enforcement tool, while also pursuing targeted, multi-department responses for chronic or high-risk properties. West said that callers should continue to use 311 to start the enforcement timeline and to help the city measure performance.","City staff told Knoxville City Council members that codes enforcement prioritizes health and safety, uses education first and relies on a mix of notices, liens and limited fines; staff outlined correction windows, data gaps and recent demolition trends.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City describes scooter rules, operator tech and 311/dashboard upgrades at workshop

Short‑term rental renewals, affidavits and state preemption explained to council

Council hears how zoning enforcement addresses front‑yard parking, unpermitted uses and commercial vehicles

Knoxville staff outline property-maintenance enforcement, timelines and limits at council workshop