Murfreesboro regulates accessory dwelling units under the Murfreesboro Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A) as 'accessory apartments,' defined as a secondary dwelling unit either within or added to an existing single-family detached dwelling, or in a separate accessory structure on the same lot. A zoning compliance review and building permit through the Building and Codes Department on the 2nd floor of City Hall (111 W. Vine St.) are required. TCA § 13-7-602 enables Tennessee localities to regulate ADUs locally without state preemption analogous to California's.
The City of Murfreesboro Zoning Ordinance, codified as Appendix A to the Murfreesboro City Code, defines an 'accessory apartment' as a secondary dwelling unit either in or added to an existing single family detached dwelling, or in a separate accessory structure on the same lot of record, with its own separate exterior entry door and provisions for cooking (sink and electrical outlets for refrigerator, oven, or stove), sanitation (toilet, sink, and shower or bathtub), and sleeping. The accessory apartment must be subordinate to the main dwelling. Accessory apartments are permitted in specified residential zoning districts subject to district standards in the Zoning Ordinance. Applicants file a zoning compliance application with the Planning Department followed by a building permit application with the Building and Codes Department at 111 W. Vine St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Plans are reviewed against the 2018 International Residential Code as adopted in Murfreesboro City Code Chapter 7 (Buildings), the 2018 International Fire Code, and Tennessee state electrical/plumbing codes. Inspections include footing, framing, rough-in trades, and final. Tennessee Code Annotated Title 13, Chapter 7 (Zoning) reserves zoning authority to municipalities; there is no state ADU preemption statute comparable to California's Government Code § 65852.2. For unincorporated Rutherford County, the County Zoning Ordinance Section 1101.Q governs ADUs with its own by-right and special exception categories — these County rules do not apply inside Murfreesboro city limits. Middle Tennessee State University rental neighborhoods near Greenland Drive and East Main Street face particular scrutiny for accessory apartments to avoid de facto boarding houses.
Building an accessory apartment without zoning compliance and a building permit is a violation of Murfreesboro City Code Chapter 7 and the Zoning Ordinance. Penalties under TCA § 13-7-208 and Murfreesboro City Code § 1-8 can reach $50 per offense per day with each day a continuing violation. The Building and Codes Department may issue stop-work orders, and Municipal Court can order removal of unpermitted structures.
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