Garage conversion rules in Shelby County, TN — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Converting a garage to living space in unincorporated Shelby County is governed by the Unified Development Code. If it creates a separate dwelling it is an accessory dwelling unit under UDC 2.7.2D; attached garages count as part of the principal structure and must meet its setbacks.
In unincorporated Shelby County, a garage conversion is regulated through the Memphis/Shelby County UDC, not a standalone county ordinance. Under UDC Sec. 3.9.1, attached garages and carports are part of the principal structure and must meet its requirements, while detached garages are accessory structures subject to Chapter 2.7. If the conversion produces a second, self-contained living unit, it is an accessory dwelling unit and must comply with UDC Sec. 2.7.2D: one ADU per lot, accessory to a single-family detached home, sized by lot area, with administrative site plan review and one added parking space per 500 square feet. A converted garage remains subject to county building and residential codes. Incorporated cities apply their own rules.
Converting a garage into an unpermitted second dwelling, or one exceeding ADU size limits, is a UDC zoning violation in unincorporated Shelby County, enforced by Planning and Development. Building without required permits also violates the adopted building codes.
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See how Shelby County's garage conversions rules stack up against other locations.
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