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Murfreesboro BZA OKs accessory apartment at 835 River Rock Boulevard with owner-occupancy conditions
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals approved special-use permit Z25031 to allow a 390 sq ft accessory apartment within a larger accessory structure at 835 River Rock Boulevard, subject to staff conditions including owner-occupancy, no separate utilities or mailbox, a recorded land-use restriction and a paved pathway.
The City of Murfreesboro Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously on Dec. 18, 2025, to approve special-use permit Z25031, allowing an accessory apartment at 835 River Rock Boulevard.
Planning staff described the proposal as an accessory structure of just over 1,500 square feet that includes a 390-square-foot accessory apartment (below the city’s 700-square-foot cap) and approximately 1,170 square feet of garage space. The structure will sit behind the primary house with setbacks that staff said conform to the city’s accessory-structure bulk requirements. "Staff is recommending approval of the 390 square foot accessory apartment," planning staff member Mr. Donovan told the board.
Staff recommended several conditions to ensure the unit is used as intended: the property owner must occupy one unit on the site; no separate electricity, gas, water or sewer shall be installed or requested for the accessory apartment; no separate mailbox shall be designated for the apartment; and a land-use restriction must be executed and recorded prior to building permits. Donovan also said the city’s building-permit inspections and subsequent zoning compliance checks are the primary enforcement mechanisms and that the city can revoke a special-use permit if violations are found.
There were no public speakers during the hearing. After brief board questions on setbacks, visibility and enforcement, a board member moved to approve the application subject to staff comments; the motion passed on a roll call vote of four in favor and zero opposed (Mister Bachelor: Aye; Mister Kimberly: Aye; Vice Chair Halliburton: Aye; Chair Young: Aye).
The approval allows the applicant to move forward with building permits after recording the required land-use restriction and complying with building and code requirements.
