Explore zoning districts and recent rezoning activity in Memphis, TN. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.
Live records updated through October 20, 2026
Updated with meetings through October 20, 2026.
The zoning information on this page comes from official sources. Confirm the zoning of a specific parcel with the Memphis planning department.
Zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction, from the adopted local code.
Single-family detached houses on individual lots; the smallest minimum lot area among the four single-family residential districts established by the Unified Development Code.
Single-family detached houses on individual lots, differentiated from other single-family districts primarily by minimum lot area and setback requirements.
Single-family detached houses on individual lots, with larger minimum lot area and setbacks than R-6 and R-8.
Single-family detached houses on individual lots; the largest minimum lot area among the four single-family residential districts.
Provides for neighborhood-serving commercial, office, and employment uses, with residential uses encouraged above the ground floor; compatible nonresidential uses are located within walking distance of the residential neighborhoods they serve.
Provides for commercial, office, and employment uses that serve through traffic as well as surrounding neighborhoods; residential uses allowed on the ground floor but upper-story units encouraged, with centers that may include anchor tenants up to 80,000 square feet of ground floor area.
Accommodates business, office, and industrial employment uses within the City of Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County.
These parcels came up for a zoning decision in Memphis in the last 30 days, often before they hit the market. See what changed, how the vote went, and hear the moment it happened. According to ZoneWire's analysis of official public meeting records, each decision below links to its timestamped source.
Memphis · Oct 20, 2026
Denied · 6-6Item 19 – 18-month data center moratorium, denied by a 6-6 vote on Oct 20, 2026 in Memphis.
Your move: Denied. Check this board's approval pattern before filing a similar request.
Memphis · Oct 20, 2026
ContinuedOrdinance 5985 – Strategic Large Load / Digital Infrastructure District, continued on Oct 20, 2026 in Memphis.
Your move: Still pending. Track the next hearing before it's decided.
Memphis · Oct 8, 2026
Approved · UnanimousData center zoning ordinances, first reading, approved unanimously on Oct 8, 2026 in Memphis.
Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.
Memphis · Oct 8, 2026
Approved · UnanimousConsent agenda items 2-18, approved unanimously on Oct 8, 2026 in Memphis.
Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.
Memphis · Oct 6, 2026
Approved · 7-5Temporary moratorium on data center development permits (Ordinance No. 5982), approved by a 7-5 vote on Oct 6, 2026 in Memphis.
Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.
Memphis · Oct 20, 2026
Approved · UnanimousSpecial use permit at 1288 Sycamore View Road, approved unanimously on Oct 20, 2026 in Memphis.
Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.
In Memphis, 79% of land-use board decisions were approved over the last 24 months. Variance clear 79%, Special exception / conditional use 82%. ZoneWire analyzed 70 land-use board decisions in Memphis over the last 24 months. Here are the most active project types and how often each one clears.
| Project type | Decisions | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|
| Variance | 19 | 79% |
| Special exception / conditional use | 11 | 82% |
| Data center | 6 | 50% |
| Multifamily / attached housing | 6 | 100% |
| Subdivision / plat | 5 | 100% |
| Single-family homes | 5 | 80% |
These are the denials and deferrals in categories that usually sail through, the deals worth understanding before you commit capital.
Get free county alertsThe official Memphis zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. The zoning information on this page comes from official sources, and ZoneWire monitors council meetings for rezoning activity and zoning changes in Memphis.
Zoning districts in Memphis include R-6 (Single-Family Residential (R-6)), R-8 (Single-Family Residential (R-8)), R-10 (Single-Family Residential (R-10)), R-15 (Single-Family Residential (R-15)), CMU-1 (Commercial Mixed-Use District 1 (CMU-1)), CMU-2 (Commercial Mixed-Use District 2 (CMU-2)), EMP (Employment District (EMP)). Each district has specific permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements set by the local code.
ZoneWire reads every council meeting in Memphis to detect rezoning discussions, variances, and zoning amendments. Start a free trial to receive alerts when rezoning activity is detected.
Zoning in Memphis is governed by the Unified Development Code (UDC), which serves as the Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations for the City of Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County. The UDC is administered jointly through the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. Property owners can look up a specific parcel's zoning district using the Zoning Atlas referenced on the Division's Develop901 site.
The Land Use Control Board (LUCB) is a joint body serving both the City of Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County. It reviews area and neighborhood plans, zoning map changes (rezonings), zoning text changes, planned developments, special use permits, and street closures before those items advance to the Memphis City Council or the Shelby County Board of Commissioners. The LUCB has final approval authority over special exceptions, subdivisions, and major modifications to permits and planned developments unless a decision is appealed to the relevant legislative body.
The Land Use Control Board meets on the second Thursday of the month at 9:00 AM in the City Council Chambers at 125 North Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103. Agendas and meeting minutes are posted by the Division of Planning and Development.
Variances are heard by the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment. The Board hears variances from provisions of the Unified Development Code when an applicant demonstrates exceptional circumstances and practical difficulties or undue hardships. It also hears conditional use permits for select uses, appeals of staff interpretation of the zoning regulations, requests to extend a zoning district boundary up to 25 feet, and nonconforming use permits. The Board is staffed by Land Use and Development Services within the Division of Planning and Development.
The Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment is composed of eight members serving three-year terms: four appointed by the Mayor of Shelby County and confirmed by the County Board of Commissioners, and four appointed by the Mayor of Memphis and confirmed by the Memphis City Council. Established in 1925, it is Tennessee's oldest administrative zoning board. It meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 2:00 PM (moving to the third Wednesday in November and December) in the City Council Chambers at 125 North Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103.
Yes. ZoneWire Free sends New Meeting Alerts for Memphis at no cost, with the agenda for each meeting. ZoneWire Pro adds full transcripts, zoning and development analysis, and keyword alerts for $39 per market per month.
Our Memphis record holds 21 land-use decisions heard in the last 60 days, with the vote where one was recorded.
7-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Get an email when a new meeting is posted for Memphis, with the agenda. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We'll email you a 6-digit code, no password.