Housing (Zoning) in Tennessee

died · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2340: Housing - As introduced, encourages municipalities to study and assess housing affordability and inventory availability, and to adopt a pattern book for purposes of encouraging the construction of medium-density housing. - Amends TCA Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

HB 2340 encourages Tennessee municipalities to study housing affordability and inventory by requiring them to: (1) conduct a detailed housing stock inventory, (2) assess current/future housing needs based on demographics and income gaps, and (3) create a pre-approved "pattern book" of medium-density housing designs. This pattern book would include standardized floor plans, building layouts, and streamlined permit processes for "missing middle" housing - mid-sized developments between single-family homes and large apartment buildings (under 12 units). The bill directly affects local governments and developers by aiming to make housing construction more efficient and affordable within existing neighborhoods. It does not mandate adoption but provides a framework for communities to address housing shortages through planning. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2516: Housing - As introduced, encourages municipalities to study and assess housing affordability and inventory availability, and to adopt a pattern book for purposes of encouraging the construction of medium-density housing. - Amends TCA Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

SB 2516 encourages Tennessee municipalities to study local housing needs and adopt standardized design guides for medium-density housing (such as townhouses or small apartment buildings). It requires cities to inventory housing stock, assess affordability gaps between household income and housing costs, and create "pattern books" with pre-approved designs and streamlined permitting processes. These pattern books would help developers build more housing options without altering neighborhood character by providing clear, approved layouts. The bill applies to all Tennessee cities and towns that choose to participate in these planning efforts.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2131: Housing - As introduced, provides for the regulation of accessory dwelling units. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 66 and Title 68.

SB 2131 regulates accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary housing units (like in-law suites or backyard cottages) on lots zoned for single-family or duplex homes. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing more restrictive rules on ADUs than on primary homes, such as requiring smaller sizes (minimum 850 sq ft), banning ADUs on single-family lots, mandating owner occupancy, or limiting parking. It also requires local governments to process ADU building permits within 60 days without discretionary review or extra hearings. This bill directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs and local governments managing zoning and building codes across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1685: Zoning - As introduced, removes requirement that a structure rebuilt on a site must conform to the zoning regulations existing at the time of the new construction. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 7.

SB 1685 removes a requirement that structures rebuilt on a site must follow the current zoning regulations in place when construction begins. This change allows property owners and developers to rebuild using the zoning rules that applied when the original structure was built, rather than adapting to updated regulations. The bill specifically amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 13-7-208(d)(1) and (i) by deleting the referenced language. It directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to reconstruct damaged or demolished properties in areas where zoning has changed since the original building was constructed. The law would take effect upon becoming enacted.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Zoning

died · Tennessee · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 1676: Zoning - As introduced, removes requirement that a structure rebuilt on a site must conform to the zoning regulations existing at the time of the new construction. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 7.

SB 1676 would have amended Tennessee zoning law by removing the requirement that rebuilt structures must conform to current zoning regulations. Instead, rebuilding would have followed the zoning rules in effect when the original structure was built, affecting property owners after losses like fire or demolition. The bill deleted specific language from two sections of Tennessee’s zoning code (TCA Title 13, Chapter 7) related to construction requirements. However, the bill was withdrawn on the day it was filed and never became law.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Zoning

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 1657: Zoning - As introduced, removes requirement that a structure rebuilt on a site must conform to the zoning regulations existing at the time of the new construction. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 7.

HB 1657 removes a requirement that structures rebuilt on a site must comply with the zoning regulations in effect when the new construction begins. This change directly affects property owners and developers rebuilding structures on existing sites, particularly in areas where zoning rules have changed since the original construction. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 7, by deleting specific language from sections 13-7-208(d)(1) and removing subsection 13-7-208(i). The key provision allows rebuilt structures to follow the zoning rules that were in place when they were originally built, rather than current rules.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Zoning

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2031: Housing - As introduced, provides for the regulation of accessory dwelling units. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 66 and Title 68.

HB 2031 standardizes regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary housing units like backyard cottages - across Tennessee. It directly affects homeowners in single-family or duplex zones and local governments, by prohibiting municipalities from imposing stricter rules on ADUs than on primary homes (e.g., requiring smaller sizes, banning ADUs on eligible lots, or mandating excessive parking). Key provisions include setting a minimum 850-square-foot size for ADUs, banning restrictions on ADU leasing or occupancy, and requiring local governments to approve ADU permits within 60 days without discretionary review. The bill also mandates that ADU regulations align with those for primary homes, such as setbacks and height limits, while allowing local governments to adopt more permissive standards.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 1045: Real Property - As introduced, prohibits the state or a local or municipal government from requiring a builder or developer of real property to pay for the building or development of infrastructure that is nonessential to the development, maintenance, or growth of the builder's development property. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 54 and Title 66.

SB 1045 prohibits state and local governments from requiring developers to pay for infrastructure that isn't essential to their project, such as roads or utilities not directly connected to the development. It specifically applies to residential projects with fewer than 300 single-family homes or 500 multi-family units, defining "nonessential infrastructure" as anything not contiguous to the property or exceeding initial planning estimates. The bill does not change existing tax, zoning, or permitting rules but takes effect July 1, 2025, for new contracts. This directly affects builders and developers by limiting government demands for off-site infrastructure costs.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1381: Housing - As enacted, authorizes local governments to regulate sober living homes for recovery from alcohol, drug, and substance abuse to the extent such regulation complies with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13 and Title 33.

SB 1381 authorizes Tennessee local governments (cities, counties, or metropolitan areas) to regulate sober living homes - alcohol- and drug-free residences where adults recovering from substance abuse live together - to ensure compliance with federal Fair Housing and ADA laws. Key provisions require such homes to be at least 1,000 feet from schools/daycares, allow local zoning rules for location/operation, and mandate clinical referrals from licensed providers before admission. The bill directly affects sober living home operators, local governments creating regulations, and residents seeking recovery housing. It updates state housing laws to clarify that these homes are not treatment facilities and must avoid discriminatory practices under federal law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Zoning

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 608: Real Property - As introduced, prohibits the state or a local or municipal government from requiring a builder or developer of real property to pay for the building or development of infrastructure that is nonessential to the development, maintenance, or growth of the builder's development property. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 54 and Title 66.

HB 608 prohibits Tennessee state and local governments from requiring builders or developers to fund infrastructure that isn't essential to their specific project. It specifically prevents governments from mandating payment for non-adjacent infrastructure or infrastructure beyond what was initially estimated for the development. The bill applies only to residential projects under 300 homes or multi-family housing under 500 units, covering elements like roads, utilities, or internet cabling not directly needed for the property's creation, maintenance, or growth. It does not affect existing zoning, tax laws, or permits, and takes effect July 1, 2025, for new contracts.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Development Property Taxes Zoning

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