Nashville Zoning Reform Opens Commercial, Retail Zones to Housing

An ordinance expanding ‘adaptive residential development’ could lead to thousands of new housing units.

1 minute read

July 29, 2024, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Neon signs on nightlife strip in Nashville, Tennessee.

Commercial strip on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. | 4kclips / Adobe Stock

Changes to Nashville’s zoning regulations could help create thousands of new housing units. As Adam Mintzer explains for WKRN, a law passed by the city’s Metro Council expands “adaptive residential development,” opening up areas zoned for commercial, office, and retail use to residential projects.

Current city code allows for residential development along major arterial and collector streets in commercial districts, but Councilmember Rollin Horton says this is inappropriate because it puts homes near dangerous roadways.

According to Mintzer, “The final version of the bill also included an amendment making it so there can be no short-term rentals in the new housing units this bill creates.” The change could also help affordable housing developers, who can now avoid going through a costly zoning variance process.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in WKRN

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post