Murfreesboro, Tennessee zoning

A plain-language summary of the Murfreesboro zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on official City of Murfreesboro Appendix A Zoning Ordinance PDF, last revised May 21, 2026, last reviewed July 5, 2026.

Zoning districts

RS-15Residential
Single-Family Residential District
The largest-lot single-family district, with at least 15,000 square feet per dwelling and an express aim of preserving open space and natural amenities.
RS-12Residential
Single-Family Residential District
Single-family homes on lots of at least 12,000 square feet.
RS-10Residential
Single-Family Residential District
Single-family homes on lots of at least 10,000 square feet.
RS-8Residential
Single-Family Residential District
Single-family homes on lots of at least 8,000 square feet.
RS-6Residential
Single-Family Residential District
Single-family homes on lots of at least 6,000 square feet.
RS-4Residential
Single-Family Residential District
Maintains existing 4,000 square foot single-family lots in the older parts of the city; not intended for new subdivisions in undeveloped areas.
RS-AResidential
Single-Family Attached District
Single-family attached housing in three forms: zero-lot-line pairs, suburban townhouses, and urban townhouses on lots as small as 2,000 square feet per dwelling.
RS-A1Residential
RS-A Type 1, Zero-Lot Line
The RS-A zero-lot-line form: two-unit structures with at least 3,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling.
RS-A2Residential
RS-A Type 2, Suburban Townhouse
The RS-A suburban townhouse form: multi-unit townhouses with broad setbacks and dedicated open space, at least 2,000 square feet of lot per dwelling.
RS-A3Residential
RS-A Type 3, Urban Townhouse
The RS-A urban townhouse form: shallow setbacks and no dedicated open space requirement, suited to urban infill.
R-DResidential
Duplex Residential District
The duplex district. Single-family and two-family dwellings with compatible church and service uses.
RM-12Residential
Residential Multi-Family District
A broad range of housing types up to four-family dwellings; new multiple-family dwellings are allowed only where the land was zoned RM-12 on or before December 31, 2017.
RM-16Residential
Residential Multi-Family District
A broad range of housing types up to four-family dwellings; new multiple-family dwellings are allowed only where the land was zoned RM-16 on or before December 31, 2017.
R-MOResidential
Mobile Home District
Mobile home parks and subdivisions on sites of at least five acres, with siting and design standards to fit surrounding districts.
OGCommercial
General Office District
Administrative, executive, and professional offices with specified institutional and limited retail uses, placed along thoroughfares as a buffer between commercial routes and homes.
OG-RMixed use
General Office District - Residential
The office district that also allows residential uses, sharing the OG buffer role along highways and next to commercial areas.
CLCommercial
Local Commercial District
Retail and personal services serving the needs of a relatively small surrounding area, developed as a unit or on individual parcels.
CPSpecial purpose
Legacy Commercial Planned / Reserved Commercial Code
Appears in the city GIS layer, but Section 14 lists the corresponding commercial entry as reserved and names PCD for planned commercial development; treat CP as legacy and confirm with Planning.
CHCommercial
Highway Commercial District
General commercial uses in a linear pattern along highways and near transportation facilities and industrial areas.
CBDCommercial
Central Business District
Reinforces downtown as a residential, employment, commercial, governmental, and cultural center; new multiple-family dwellings require CBD zoning in place on or before December 31, 2017.
CM-RMixed use
Medical District Residential
The residential category of the medical district: health-related uses such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and medical offices alongside dwellings.
CMCommercial
Medical District Commercial
The commercial category of the medical district, built for the development, expansion, and modernization of hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, and medical offices.
CM-RS-8Mixed use
Medical District Residential Single Family
The medical district category that pairs health-related uses with single-family homes on 8,000 square foot lots.
CFCommercial
Commercial Fringe District
General commercial along highways and major arterials limited to uses that tend not to be a nuisance to neighboring homes, with separation rules for drive-up windows and fuel sales.
MUMixed use
Mixed Use District
Vertical and horizontal mixtures of commercial and institutional uses, allowed only within a GDO or similar overlay; new multiple-family dwellings require MU zoning in place on or before December 31, 2017.
H-IIndustrial
Heavy Industrial District
Manufacturing, wholesaling, and warehousing on land accessible to major transportation routes.
G-IIndustrial
General Industrial District
Wholesaling, warehousing, and limited manufacturing, regulated to reduce impacts on nearby districts.
L-IIndustrial
Light Industrial District
Warehousing, wholesaling, and light assembly with little neighborhood impact beyond truck traffic; steel mills and similar heavy uses are excluded.
CUSpecial purpose
College and University District
Colleges and universities and the uses attracted to and compatible with them.
PSpecial purpose
Park District
Parks, recreation, and open space, under either public or private ownership.
PRDSpecial purpose
Planned Residential District
Planned development for residential uses drawn from the RS, R-D, RM, R-MO, and MU districts; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
PCDSpecial purpose
Planned Commercial District
Planned development for commercial uses drawn from the CL, CF, CH, OG, CM-R, CM, and CBD districts; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
PIDSpecial purpose
Planned Industrial District
Planned development for industrial uses drawn from the H-I, G-I, and L-I districts; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
PUDMixed use
Planned Unit District
Planned development combining uses from multiple districts that does not qualify as PRD, PCD, or PID; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
PNDSpecial purpose
Planned Institutional District
Planned development for institutional uses permitted in any district; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
AODSpecial purpose
Airport Overlay District
Limits heights and airport-hazard uses in the approach, horizontal, conical, transitional, and runway protection zones around Murfreesboro Municipal Airport; Section 14(F)(3) lists it as AHR.
BPDSpecial purpose
Battlefield Protection District
Named as an overlay district in Section 14(F)(4), but Appendix A contains no standards article for it; confirm applicability with Planning.
H-1Special purpose
Historic District
Preserves designated historic sites and structures; the Historic Zoning Commission must approve construction, alteration, moving, or demolition before a permit issues.
GDO-1Special purpose
Gateway Design Overlay District 1
Gateway design overlay subdistrict with full design review and the tallest allowances: offices, hotels, and hospitals may reach 150 feet.
GDO-2Special purpose
Gateway Design Overlay District 2
Gateway design overlay subdistrict with mid-range height allowances: offices, hotels, and hospitals may reach 75 feet and other commercial 45 feet.
GDO-3Special purpose
Gateway Design Overlay District 3
Gateway design overlay subdistrict with the same 150 foot allowances as GDO-1 plus an added list of excluded commercial uses such as gas stations and vehicle sales.
GDO-4Special purpose
Gateway Design Overlay District 4
The most restrictive gateway design overlay subdistrict: 35 feet maximum building height for all uses.
PSSpecial purpose
Planned Signage Overlay District
Allows a master signage plan on developments of 20 acres or more; once approved, the plan replaces the standard sign ordinance for the district.
CCOSpecial purpose
City Core Overlay District
Promotes compatible infill and reinvestment in and around downtown; its standards override the base district, except H-1 rules prevail where they conflict.

Code	Name	Category	Summary
RS-15	Single-Family Residential District	Residential	The largest-lot single-family district, with at least 15,000 square feet per dwelling and an express aim of preserving open space and natural amenities.
RS-12	Single-Family Residential District	Residential	Single-family homes on lots of at least 12,000 square feet.
RS-10	Single-Family Residential District	Residential	Single-family homes on lots of at least 10,000 square feet.
RS-8	Single-Family Residential District	Residential	Single-family homes on lots of at least 8,000 square feet.
RS-6	Single-Family Residential District	Residential	Single-family homes on lots of at least 6,000 square feet.
RS-4	Single-Family Residential District	Residential	Maintains existing 4,000 square foot single-family lots in the older parts of the city; not intended for new subdivisions in undeveloped areas.
RS-A	Single-Family Attached District	Residential	Single-family attached housing in three forms: zero-lot-line pairs, suburban townhouses, and urban townhouses on lots as small as 2,000 square feet per dwelling.
RS-A1	RS-A Type 1, Zero-Lot Line	Residential	The RS-A zero-lot-line form: two-unit structures with at least 3,000 square feet of lot area per dwelling.
RS-A2	RS-A Type 2, Suburban Townhouse	Residential	The RS-A suburban townhouse form: multi-unit townhouses with broad setbacks and dedicated open space, at least 2,000 square feet of lot per dwelling.
RS-A3	RS-A Type 3, Urban Townhouse	Residential	The RS-A urban townhouse form: shallow setbacks and no dedicated open space requirement, suited to urban infill.
R-D	Duplex Residential District	Residential	The duplex district. Single-family and two-family dwellings with compatible church and service uses.
RM-12	Residential Multi-Family District	Residential	A broad range of housing types up to four-family dwellings; new multiple-family dwellings are allowed only where the land was zoned RM-12 on or before December 31, 2017.
RM-16	Residential Multi-Family District	Residential	A broad range of housing types up to four-family dwellings; new multiple-family dwellings are allowed only where the land was zoned RM-16 on or before December 31, 2017.
R-MO	Mobile Home District	Residential	Mobile home parks and subdivisions on sites of at least five acres, with siting and design standards to fit surrounding districts.
OG	General Office District	Commercial	Administrative, executive, and professional offices with specified institutional and limited retail uses, placed along thoroughfares as a buffer between commercial routes and homes.
OG-R	General Office District - Residential	Mixed use	The office district that also allows residential uses, sharing the OG buffer role along highways and next to commercial areas.
CL	Local Commercial District	Commercial	Retail and personal services serving the needs of a relatively small surrounding area, developed as a unit or on individual parcels.
CP	Legacy Commercial Planned / Reserved Commercial Code	Special purpose	Appears in the city GIS layer, but Section 14 lists the corresponding commercial entry as reserved and names PCD for planned commercial development; treat CP as legacy and confirm with Planning.
CH	Highway Commercial District	Commercial	General commercial uses in a linear pattern along highways and near transportation facilities and industrial areas.
CBD	Central Business District	Commercial	Reinforces downtown as a residential, employment, commercial, governmental, and cultural center; new multiple-family dwellings require CBD zoning in place on or before December 31, 2017.
CM-R	Medical District Residential	Mixed use	The residential category of the medical district: health-related uses such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and medical offices alongside dwellings.
CM	Medical District Commercial	Commercial	The commercial category of the medical district, built for the development, expansion, and modernization of hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, and medical offices.
CM-RS-8	Medical District Residential Single Family	Mixed use	The medical district category that pairs health-related uses with single-family homes on 8,000 square foot lots.
CF	Commercial Fringe District	Commercial	General commercial along highways and major arterials limited to uses that tend not to be a nuisance to neighboring homes, with separation rules for drive-up windows and fuel sales.
MU	Mixed Use District	Mixed use	Vertical and horizontal mixtures of commercial and institutional uses, allowed only within a GDO or similar overlay; new multiple-family dwellings require MU zoning in place on or before December 31, 2017.
H-I	Heavy Industrial District	Industrial	Manufacturing, wholesaling, and warehousing on land accessible to major transportation routes.
G-I	General Industrial District	Industrial	Wholesaling, warehousing, and limited manufacturing, regulated to reduce impacts on nearby districts.
L-I	Light Industrial District	Industrial	Warehousing, wholesaling, and light assembly with little neighborhood impact beyond truck traffic; steel mills and similar heavy uses are excluded.
CU	College and University District	Special purpose	Colleges and universities and the uses attracted to and compatible with them.
P	Park District	Special purpose	Parks, recreation, and open space, under either public or private ownership.
PRD	Planned Residential District	Special purpose	Planned development for residential uses drawn from the RS, R-D, RM, R-MO, and MU districts; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
PCD	Planned Commercial District	Special purpose	Planned development for commercial uses drawn from the CL, CF, CH, OG, CM-R, CM, and CBD districts; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
PID	Planned Industrial District	Special purpose	Planned development for industrial uses drawn from the H-I, G-I, and L-I districts; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
PUD	Planned Unit District	Mixed use	Planned development combining uses from multiple districts that does not qualify as PRD, PCD, or PID; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
PND	Planned Institutional District	Special purpose	Planned development for institutional uses permitted in any district; the approved plan controls layout and conditions.
AOD	Airport Overlay District	Special purpose	Limits heights and airport-hazard uses in the approach, horizontal, conical, transitional, and runway protection zones around Murfreesboro Municipal Airport; Section 14(F)(3) lists it as AHR.
BPD	Battlefield Protection District	Special purpose	Named as an overlay district in Section 14(F)(4), but Appendix A contains no standards article for it; confirm applicability with Planning.
H-1	Historic District	Special purpose	Preserves designated historic sites and structures; the Historic Zoning Commission must approve construction, alteration, moving, or demolition before a permit issues.
GDO-1	Gateway Design Overlay District 1	Special purpose	Gateway design overlay subdistrict with full design review and the tallest allowances: offices, hotels, and hospitals may reach 150 feet.
GDO-2	Gateway Design Overlay District 2	Special purpose	Gateway design overlay subdistrict with mid-range height allowances: offices, hotels, and hospitals may reach 75 feet and other commercial 45 feet.
GDO-3	Gateway Design Overlay District 3	Special purpose	Gateway design overlay subdistrict with the same 150 foot allowances as GDO-1 plus an added list of excluded commercial uses such as gas stations and vehicle sales.
GDO-4	Gateway Design Overlay District 4	Special purpose	The most restrictive gateway design overlay subdistrict: 35 feet maximum building height for all uses.
PS	Planned Signage Overlay District	Special purpose	Allows a master signage plan on developments of 20 acres or more; once approved, the plan replaces the standard sign ordinance for the district.
CCO	City Core Overlay District	Special purpose	Promotes compatible infill and reinvestment in and around downtown; its standards override the base district, except H-1 rules prevail where they conflict.

Rules by topic

Common questions

Get alerted when Murfreesboro zoning rules change

$49/month. An email when a human-reviewed rule change is published for Murfreesboro — with the citation, the date, and a link to the updated page. Quiet months get a short note confirming we checked. Cancel any time.

Alerts come only from reviewed changes, never from raw ordinance-site noise. Billing via Stripe; unsubscribe and cancellation links in every email.

Get the full picture for your property

Enter an address. We identify the zoning district and assemble what the ordinance says about it: permitted uses, dimensional rules, accessory structures, and the approval process.

District identification is free. The full brief is $79.