Planning Department

Zoning

Planning commission and city council agendas often include zoning issues. In order to help you better understand zoning and the rezoning process, Planning Director Joseph Aydelott has provided the following overview.

The zoning ordinance for the City of Murfreesboro establishes minimum lot size, minimum building setbacks, maximum height, and maximum density permitted for development and land use in the city. It also establishes the manner in which land can be used. The City of Murfreesboro is divided into 28 zoning districts; five of the districts "overlay" other districts and place additional zoning requirements beyond what would otherwise be required.

The zoning ordinance allows some land uses by right in certain districts. For instance, a single family residence is permitted by right in a district zoned for single family residences and a building permit will be issued for a single family residence if all other requirements have been met. Other uses are allowed subject to the issuance of a special use permit by the board of zoning appeals. An example of a special permit use would be a church in a single-family zoning district. A church in most instances will be compatible with adjoining residential uses if certain performance measures can be met such as adequate parking, proper access, appropriate screening, and proper placement of dumpsters.

The city's zoning ordinance makes provision for property to be zoned as a planned development. With a planned development a developer can devise a development plan for his property that may deviate from other provisions of the zoning ordinance. Basically, if it is approved, the property will be zoned for that plan and significant deviations will not be permitted unless the developer applies for an amendment to the plan. The planned development zoning alternative allows for innovation for a developer while assuring the maximum amount of protection for adjoining property owners.

Zoning is often confused with deed restrictions and restrictive covenants. Zoning does not regulate the size of a residence nor the materials with which it is constructed, as may be the case with deed restrictions and covenants. Only the owners of property who are affected by the restrictions and covenants can enforce them and the city will have no standing to enforce them.

Any property owner may request consideration by the city for rezoning his property. This is certainly to be expected as conditions in the community change and land is annexed into the city and is a normal symptom of a growing community. The process for re-zoning property requires an application describing the proposed zoning change, reasons for the change, and justifications for the change along with a $350 application fee. Upon receipt of the complete application and fee, the application will be considered by the planning commission, which will study the request and schedule a public hearing. Notices will be mailed to property owners within 250 feet of the property, a sign will be posted on the property, and a legal notice will be advertised in the local newspaper. After conclusion of the public hearing, the planning commission will prepare a recommendation for the city council, which will also conduct a public hearing after which it will consider the adoption of an ordinance to implement the rezoning.

Download the zoning map and zoning ordinance, or they are available for review and/or purchase at the Murfreesboro Planning Department in City Hall at 111 W. Vine St., Murfreesboro, TN 37129 or by calling (615) 893-6441.

A consultant was hired by Murfreesboro to develop general design standards that promote a consistent citywide appearance for large projects. That study continues.

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Murfreesboro Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a five-member body appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the city council. Members of the BZA are: Adam Dodd, Ken Halliburton, Frances Mosby, John Rodgers, Jr. (Chair) and Davis Young (Vice Chair).

The board hears requests for variances from the zoning and sign ordinance, requests for special use permits set forth in the zoning ordinance and hears appeals from administrative decisions. The Board's most recent agenda can be downloaded. Also see the Board's calendar of meetings and deadlines.

Welcome!

from Joseph Aydelott, Planning Director

and Chris Griffith, Engineering Director

The Murfreesboro Planning Department is responsible for coordinating the physical development of the city. In order to do this the planning staff is available to assist the public to obtain information regarding use and development of land in the city and to review development plans for conformance with the city's ordinances and development regulations.

Whether by telephone or in person, it is our goal to provide prompt, courteous, and professional assistance. We invite the pubic to call upon us with their inquiries regarding such matters as zoning, floodplain management, annexation, land development, land subdivision, historic zoning, and property addressing. The information on these pages is intended to be basic information regarding the department. We invite your calls and inquiries for more specific information and would welcome you to visit the planning department in person on the second floor of City Hall.

The goal of the engineering department is to provide our citizens with good, safe streets and storm drainage that functions well. Our staff is committed to improving our streets and drainage systems and we would welcome the opportunity to answer your questions.