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Shelby County, TN Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

ADU rules in Shelby County, TN, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.

Key Facts

Governing code: Memphis/Shelby County UDC 2.7.2D
ADUs per lot: One maximum
Under 10,000 sq ft lot: No new ADU
10,000 sq ft to 1.5 ac: 700 sq ft or 1/3 max
Review required: Administrative site plan

ADU Eligibility Quick-Check

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent living unit on the same lot as a single-family home: converted garages, detached cottages, basement or attic conversions, and attached additions all qualify. Most states have streamlined ADU permitting since 2020, but local rules still control size, height, and setback.

Is your lot zoned single-family or multi-family residential?
Does your lot have at least 1,200 sq ft of buildable space?
Is your existing home owner-occupied (in most states this is not required, but some require it for ADU permits)?
Will the ADU stay under your state's size cap (commonly 850-1,200 sq ft for detached)?
Can you provide one off-street parking space (waived in many states within 0.5 mi of transit)?

If you answered 'yes' to most of these, you likely qualify in Tennessee under recent ADU streamlining laws. The Shelby County, TN rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

In unincorporated Shelby County, the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot, only accessory to a single-family detached home, with living area capped by lot size and subject to administrative site plan review.

City-specific rules exist: Memphis has its own adu rules rules that differ from Shelby County's county-level regulations. If you live in Memphis, check the city-specific page instead.

Accessory dwelling units shall only be permitted as accessory to single-family detached dwellings that do not contain multiple dwelling units. No more than one accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted per lot. Accessory dwelling structures shall be subject to administrative site plan review as well as the standards of this Section.

View official code

Full Breakdown

The Memphis/Shelby County UDC governs accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on unincorporated county land. Under UDC Sec. 2.7.2D, an ADU is permitted only as accessory to a single-family detached dwelling, no more than one per lot, and requires administrative site plan review. Size is set by lot area: on lots under 10,000 square feet, no ADU may be built after March 11, 2014; on lots of at least 10,000 square feet but under 1.5 acres, the ADU cannot exceed 700 square feet or one-third of the principal dwelling's ground-floor area, whichever is smaller; on 1.5-acre-plus lots, it cannot exceed 50 percent of that area. One extra parking space is required per 500 square feet. Cities apply their own zoning.

Violations & Fines

Building an ADU that exceeds the lot-based size cap, adds a second ADU, or skips administrative site plan review is a UDC zoning violation in unincorporated Shelby County, enforced by Planning and Development under the joint zoning ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build a backyard ADU in unincorporated Shelby County?

Yes, if your lot is at least 10,000 square feet and has a single-family detached home. Only one ADU is allowed per lot, its size is capped by lot area, and it needs administrative site plan review under UDC 2.7.2D.

How big can my ADU be?

On lots from 10,000 sq ft to 1.5 acres, an ADU cannot exceed 700 sq ft or one-third of the main home's ground floor, whichever is smaller. On 1.5+ acre lots, up to 50 percent of the ground floor.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Shelby County

Shed & Carport RulesSome Restrictions Garage ConversionsSome Restrictions Tiny HomesSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsFew Restrictions Fire Regulations: Brush ClearanceSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions Fire Regulations: FireworksSignificant Restrictions

All Shelby County rules

How Shelby County compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Shelby County to another location·View the Tennessee accessory structures overview

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ADU Rules in Cities Across Shelby County

Memphis, TN