Murfreesboro's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Murfreesboro, Tennessee, there are 9 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

ADU Rules

Murfreesboro regulates accessory dwelling units through zoning. Tennessee has no statewide ADU mandate. Rules vary by city. Nashville has active ADU development.

Key details: State Law: No TN mandate. Nashville: Active ADU regulations. Permit: Building permit required. HOA: Usually prohibited.

Unpermitted ADU: standard building code enforcement. May require demolition or legalization. Occupying unpermitted dwelling: code violation.

Shed Rules

Murfreesboro allows small sheds without permits (typically under 120 to 200 sq ft). Larger structures need building permits. Setback requirements apply.

Key details: No Permit: Under 120 to 200 sq ft. Permit: Over threshold. Setbacks: Per zoning code. Habitation: Prohibited.

Unpermitted structure: retroactive permit with penalty. Non-compliant setback: modification or removal.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Murfreesboro gives residents more flexibility on shed rules.

Garage Conversions

Murfreesboro may allow garage conversions with permits. Tennessee has no statewide mandate. Replacement parking typically required.

Key details: Permit: Building permit required. Parking: Replacement usually required. State Law: No TN mandate. HOA: Usually prohibited.

Unpermitted conversion: building code enforcement. Must bring to code or restore. Safety violations: immediate correction.

Carport Rules

Murfreesboro requires permits for carport construction. Setback requirements, height limits, and lot coverage maximums apply.

Key details: Permit: Required. Side Setback: 3 to 5 feet typical. Lot Coverage: Counts toward maximum. HOA: May restrict or prohibit.

Unpermitted carports: stop-work orders, required removal or retroactive permitting with penalty fees. Fines $200 to $1,000.

Tiny Homes

Murfreesboro regulates tiny homes differently based on whether they are on a permanent foundation or on wheels. Zoning and minimum square footage requirements apply.

Key details: Foundation: Treated as dwelling. On Wheels: RV classification typically. Min Size: 400 to 800 sq ft varies. ADU Path: May allow as secondary.

Unpermitted dwellings: removal or retroactive permitting. Zoning violations: fines and required relocation. Occupancy without certificate: prohibited.

ADU Impact Fees

Murfreesboro charges standard building permit fees based on construction valuation through the Building and Codes Department, plus Murfreesboro Water Resources Department tap and capacity fees for new water/sewer connections. Tennessee has no statewide ADU impact-fee waiver. Accessory apartments sharing the principal dwelling's water/sewer service avoid most utility tap fees. Murfreesboro Electric Department charges separate service-extension fees.

Key details: Building Permit: Valuation-based per Ch. 7. Water/Sewer: Murfreesboro Water Resources tap fees. Electric: Murfreesboro Electric Dept. (MED). Shared Tap: Typically no new impact fee. State Waiver: None — TN has no ADU exemption.

Failure to pay required fees results in permit denial or revocation under Murfreesboro City Code Chapter 7. Building or occupying an accessory apartment on an unauthorized utility connection is a code violation subject to penalties of up to $50 per offense per day under Murfreesboro City Code § 1-8 and TCA § 13-7-208. Murfreesboro Water Resources may disconnect unauthorized taps.

ADU Permits

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.

Key details: Code Section: Murfreesboro Zoning Ord. App. A. Permitting Office: Building & Codes, 111 W. Vine St.. Building Code: 2018 IRC via City Code Ch. 7. State Preemption: None — TCA Title 13 Ch. 7. County Rule (Outside City): Rutherford Co. Zoning § 1101.Q.

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.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Murfreesboro's Zoning Ordinance defines an accessory apartment as 'accessory to the main dwelling,' implying the main dwelling remains a single-family residence in fact and use. The Planning Department typically applies owner-occupancy expectations to prevent de facto duplex use in single-family districts. Rutherford County's Zoning Ordinance § 1101.Q expressly requires owner-occupancy of one unit for unincorporated parcels. Tennessee has not preempted local owner-occupancy rules.

Key details: City Owner-Occupancy: Implied via 'accessory' definition. County Rule: Rutherford § 1101.Q requires 6 mo/yr owner. Both Units Rented: Treated as unpermitted duplex. State Preemption: None — TCA Title 13 Ch. 7.

Operating both units as separate rentals can be cited as an unpermitted duplex/two-family use in single-family districts under the Murfreesboro Zoning Ordinance with fines up to $50 per offense per day under City Code § 1-8 and TCA § 13-7-208. The city may revoke zoning compliance and refer matters to Municipal Court. Repeat violations near MTSU rental areas receive aggressive enforcement.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Murfreesboro accessory apartments can be rented for long-term residential use but face additional restrictions for short-term (under 30 days) use. The Tennessee Short-Term Rental Unit Act, TCA §§ 13-7-601 through 13-7-606, permits local STR regulation 'by the least restrictive means' for public health and safety. Murfreesboro requires STR registration and limits non-owner-occupied STRs in residential districts. MTSU-adjacent neighborhoods face heightened enforcement.

Key details: State STR Act: TCA §§ 13-7-601 to 606. Local Authority: Least restrictive means — TCA § 13-7-603. Grandfather Clause: Pre-ordinance STRs protected. Long-Term Statute: TN URLTA TCA § 66-28. Occupancy Tax: State + Rutherford County.

Unpermitted STR operation can be cited under the Murfreesboro STR ordinance with fines up to $50 per offense per day under City Code § 1-8 and TCA § 13-7-208. Unpaid hotel-motel taxes are pursued separately by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. URLTA violations in long-term rentals are litigated in General Sessions or Circuit Court.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Murfreesboro actively enforces its adu rental restrictions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Murfreesboro's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Murfreesboro is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Murfreesboro's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.