Building Setbacks & Zoning in Murfreesboro, TN

If you live in Murfreesboro or are thinking about moving there, building setbacks & zoning are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Murfreesboro has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of building setbacks & zoning, and some of them might surprise you.

Setback Rules

Murfreesboro's Chart 2 sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks by residential district: 40 feet front in RS-15, 35 feet front with 10-foot sides in RS-12 and RS-10, and 35 feet front with 5-foot sides in RS-8 through RS-4.

Key details: RS-15 setbacks: 40 ft front, 12.5 side, 30 rear. RS-12 & RS-10 setbacks: 35 ft front, 10 side, 25 rear. RS-8 to RS-4 setbacks: 35 ft front, 5 side, 20 rear. Source: Appendix A – Zoning, Chart 2.

Building a structure inside the required front, side, or rear setback for its district, for example inside RS-15's 40-foot front yard or RS-8 through RS-4's 5-foot side yard, is a zoning violation without a variance.

Lot Coverage Limits

Murfreesboro's Chart 2 limits how much of a residential lot buildings can cover: 35% in the largest-lot single-family districts, rising to 40% and 50% as minimum lot sizes shrink toward RS-4.

Key details: RS-15 / RS-12: 35% maximum coverage. RS-10 / RS-8: 40% maximum coverage. RS-6 / RS-4: 50% maximum coverage. Source: Appendix A – Zoning, Chart 2.

Building beyond a district's Chart 2 maximum lot coverage, 35% in RS-15/RS-12, 40% in RS-10/RS-8, 50% in RS-6/RS-4, without a variance is a zoning violation subject to enforcement.

Structure Height Limits

Murfreesboro caps residential building height at 35 feet across every single-family zoning district, rising to 45 feet only for multi-family and townhouse dwellings in the RM-12 and RM-16 districts.

Key details: RS districts cap: 35 feet maximum. Multi-family cap: 45 feet in RM-12/RM-16. Measured from: Grade to roof per Section 2. Source: Appendix A – Zoning, Chart 2.

Constructing a residence taller than the district's Chart 2 maximum, 35 feet in RS-15 through RS-4 and most R-D/RM-12/RM-16 uses, 45 feet for RM-12/RM-16 multi-family, requires a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The Bottom Line

Murfreesboro's building setbacks & zoning 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.