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Murfreesboro staff proposes easing rear-yard setbacks on shallow lots; public hearing set for March 11
Summary
Staff proposed a zoning ordinance amendment to reduce rear-yard setback requirements to 10 feet for single-family lots 80 feet deep or less existing as of April 1, 2026; the commission agreed to set a March 11 public hearing to consider the change.
City planning staff proposed an ordinance amendment on Feb. 18 that would grant reduced rear-yard setbacks for older, shallow single-family lots across Murfreesboro.
Under the proposal, lots 80 feet in depth or less that were in existence as of April 1, 2026, would be eligible for a reduced rear-yard setback of 10 feet (down from a typical 20–30 feet depending on district). Staff said the change is intended to ease redevelopment of very shallow lots and cut back on routine variance requests to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Staff emphasized this would apply citywide but is targeted at older, shallow lots that predate recent subdivision patterns. Commissioners asked clarification questions about scope and whether the amendment would be district-specific; staff confirmed it is citywide but primarily intended for older lots where current standards make rebuilding impractical.
The commission voted to set a public hearing for March 11. If approved after the public process, the change would alter rear-yard requirements only for qualifying lots that meet the depth and date criteria; other setbacks and district standards would remain in effect.
