What's This All About?

Think of the Unified Development Code (UDC) as the rulebook for growth and development in Memphis and Shelby County. It guides everything from how land can be used to where structures can be placed, how big they can be, how much parking they need, what kind of landscaping is required, and how property owners can build additions to their homes, among other things.

We're giving these rules a much-needed refresh to better match the community's vision and make them easier to understand. This updated Code will help us create the vibrant, livable places envisioned in the City’s Comprehensive Plan: Memphis 3.0. An updated UDC will:

  • Address the City’s housing challenges and welcome more choices for everyone who calls Memphis and Shelby County home

  • Make it easier to build lively, walkable neighborhoods where people can live, work, and play

  • Ensure that new development enhances our community's unique character

  • Make the development process clearer and simpler while keeping our standards high

Frequently Asked Questions

The updated Unified Development Code will be a crucial tool for putting Memphis 3.0's policies into action. Creating effective development rules requires two key things: a thorough understanding of how land is currently used and developed across our city, and agreement on how to interpret and apply Memphis 3.0's policies in different areas. Here, you will find some frequently asked questions about zoning and how it works together with our city's other plans and policies.

This FAQ will be updated and expanded to address commonly asked questions throughout the course of the Memphis and Shelby County UDC Update process.

  • Zoning is a set of rules used to manage land use and development in Memphis. Specifically, zoning contains rules that address:

    • What kinds of buildings, businesses, and activities can go where

    • Where buildings can be placed on a particular piece of property

    • How big and tall those buildings can be

    • Other important elements of development like parking requirements, landscaping, and rules for additional or “accessory” structures

    Zoning regulations are divided into zoning districts, each with its own set of rules. These districts are then mapped onto the City, so that the rules match the unique character, needs, and future vision for different areas across Memphis.

  • Memphis’ current Unified Development Code, which has been in place since 2010, has become complex and outdated following years of piecemeal amendments. Here are just a couple of key reasons why we need to update it:

    • A 2022 study showed that Memphis is relying too heavily on special permits and variations from the basic rules, which tells us the current code isn't working as well as it should.

    • The current code also doesn't align with Memphis 3.0's vision for walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods and fair, equitable growth; the update can help to align the rules with this vision.

    • A comprehensive update to the UDC will result in simpler, clearer rules that better support Memphis’ goals for diverse housing options, sustainability, and neighborhood revitalization.

  • Memphis 3.0, the city’s Comprehensive Plan, lays out a long-term vision for how Memphis should grow and develop. A key part of this plan is the Future Land Use Map, which serves as a guide for how land in different parts of the city should be used and developed in the future.

    The updated UDC will help turn this vision into reality by creating rules that match the goals and land use plans in Memphis 3.0. As part of this process, the zoning map will be updated to make sure development standards align with the community's vision for Memphis's future.