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ADUs are allowed in Memphis
Types:DetachedInternal

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Memphis, TN

Is your property eligible for an ADU?

# of Properties
191,456
Owner-occupied
58%
Zoning districts
61
Avg Home Value
$212,644
Median Lot Size
0.21 acres
Avg Income
$64,092
Residential Types:
191,456 housing units
Single Family
92%
Apts (4+ units)
8%
Zoning Districts:
236,107 parcels · 61 districts
R-6
39%(91,969)
R-10
14%(33,111)
R-8
11%(24,832)
RU-1
10%(23,219)
Other
27%(62,976)

ADU Rules

What can you build in Memphis, TN?

Memphis, TN follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.

Detached ADU Size Limits

  • –By-right maximum: 0 sq ft on lots under 7,000 sq ft; otherwise the smaller of 700 sq ft or one-third of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area on lots under 1.5 acres, or up to 50% of that gross floor area on lots 1.5 acres or larger; in all cases not exceeding the principal dwelling’s habitable area.
  • –With administrative deviation, the maximum in the by-right rule may be increased by up to 10%, but still may not exceed the principal dwelling’s habitable area.

Max Units

  • –1 ADU per lot (detached single-family)
  • –0 ADUs for duplex/townhouse/multifamily; 0 on lots under 7,000 sq ft

Owner Occupancy

  • –No owner-occupancy requirement.

Parking

  • –0 spaces per ADU; 1 additional off-street space only if ADU reduces on-site parking below the underlying zoning minimum; no minimum in CBD/SCBID/MU; spaces must be on the same lot (side/rear yard or ground floor of the ADU); on-street parking cannot count; tandem parking allowed for single-family detached and attached housing.

What's allowed on your lot?

These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.

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Is your property eligible for an ADU?

ADU rules in other Tennessee municipalities

Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.

Shelby County

BartlettColliervilleGermantownLakelandMillingtonUnincorporated Shelby
See all municipalities in Shelby County →See all Tennessee municipalities →
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