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Memphis

Memphis Zoning Map & Districts 2026

Explore zoning districts, official map resources, and recent rezoning activity in Memphis, TN. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.

Live records updated through July 29, 2026

Key facts: Memphis land-use record

  • Memphis approved 77% of 31 land-use decisions in the last 24 months.
  • Memphis has 14 rezoning-related records across 3 recent public meetings tracked by ZoneWire.
  • The most recent tracked meeting in Memphis was on July 29, 2026.

Updated with meetings through July 29, 2026.

Recent Rezoning Activity in Memphis

Meetings
3
Rezoning Mentions
14
Last Detected
Jul 9, 2026

Zoning Districts in Memphis

Zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction, from the adopted local code.

R-6Single-Family Residential (R-6)

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.

R-8Single-Family Residential (R-8)

Single-family detached houses on individual lots, differentiated from other single-family districts primarily by minimum lot area and setback requirements.

R-10Single-Family Residential (R-10)

Single-family detached houses on individual lots, with larger minimum lot area and setbacks than R-6 and R-8.

R-15Single-Family Residential (R-15)

Single-family detached houses on individual lots; the largest minimum lot area among the four single-family residential districts.

CMU-1Commercial Mixed-Use District 1 (CMU-1)

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.

CMU-2Commercial Mixed-Use District 2 (CMU-2)

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.

EMPEmployment District (EMP)

Accommodates business, office, and industrial employment uses within the City of Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County.

Recent rezoning decisions in Memphis

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 · Jul 9, 2026

Approved · Unanimous

Rezoned CA to R-6

2021 Berry Hill Road, just south of 2047 Berry Hill Road, Cordova

CA to R-6

Zoning change from CA to R-6, approved unanimously on Jul 9, 2026 in Memphis.

Entitlement

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

Memphis · Jul 9, 2026

Approved · Unanimous

Consent agenda (items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12)

Consent agenda (items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12), approved unanimously on Jul 9, 2026 in Memphis.

Entitlement

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

Memphis · Jul 9, 2026

Approved

Cell tower special use permit at church in Commission District 12

Cell tower special use permit at church in Commission District 12, approved on Jul 9, 2026 in Memphis.

Entitlement

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

Memphis · Jul 7, 2026

Approved · Unanimous

Special Use Permit at 2465 Millbrook Avenue

Special Use Permit at 2465 Millbrook Avenue, approved unanimously on Jul 7, 2026 in Memphis.

Entitlement

Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.

What gets approved in Memphis

In Memphis, 77% of land-use board decisions were approved over the last 24 months. Variance clear 79%. ZoneWire analyzed 31 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 typeDecisionsApproval rate
Variance1479%

Frequently Asked Questions

The official Memphis zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. You can access the interactive GIS map at https://www.develop901.com/maps-atlas. ZoneWire also tracks rezoning activity discussed in council meetings.

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.

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