Nashville just took another meaningful step toward shaping the future of housing in our city. At last week’s Metro Council meeting, two major zoning measures advanced that could influence everything from housing supply to neighborhood character to long term affordability across Nashville.

If you follow Nashville real estate, you know the big challenge: demand has remained strong while the number of homes for sale has often lagged behind. When cities want to create more options without relying only on large apartment projects, they typically turn to zoning. That is exactly what Nashville is doing right now.

Metro Council approves two new residential zoning districts 

The Metro Council approved the creation of two new zoning districts called Residential Neighborhood and Residential Limited. The purpose is to allow a wider range of housing types in places where they have historically been restricted.

These districts can support housing forms like:

• Townhomes
• Courtyard homes
• Triplexes
• Quadplexes

The core idea is flexibility. These new districts do not automatically rezone neighborhoods across the city. Instead, they give council districts a tool that can be applied selectively, where additional housing options make sense. That means each Councilmember can decide whether to use it and where.

The bill passed 28 to 10, with amendments that delay the rollout until April 2026. A separate resolution also passed requesting a countywide map to improve transparency around where the tool might be used.

Expanded DADU options move Nashville toward gentle density

A second bill received final approval expanding options for DADUs, which include formats like carriage houses and garage apartments. This change allows more gentle density across both the Urban Services District and the General Services District.

As part of the compromise, parking requirements were increased. The bill passed 29 to 8.

From a Nashville housing market perspective, DADUs can matter because they can add smaller, often more attainable units within established neighborhoods. They can also create new opportunities for homeowners who want a rental unit for supplemental income, multigenerational living, or a flexible guest space.

Metro Planning must track the real world impact 

One of the most important parts of these changes is not just what passed, but what happens next.

Both housing bills require Metro Planning to track:

• Units added
• Permits issued
• Infrastructure costs

That impact report is scheduled to be delivered in April 2027. In other words, Nashville is putting measurement behind the policy. This data will be critical for understanding whether these changes expand housing options without creating unintended strain on streets, schools, utilities, and other infrastructure.

Another bill to watch: residential height limits 

A separate bill that would limit the height of certain residential buildings in single family and two family zones also moved forward. An amendment is expected that would exempt the downtown core before the final vote.

This matters because height rules shape what is possible even when zoning technically allows more units. If height is capped too tightly, it can limit the practicality of certain housing types. If it is too permissive, it can create conflict with existing neighborhood expectations. The details of the amendment will be worth watching closely.

What this means for Nashville real estate and neighborhood change 

Taken together, these votes signal something bigger. Nashville is actively reshaping the rules that will define our neighborhoods, our housing supply, and our long term affordability. These decisions can influence:

• Where new housing can be added
• What types of homes get built
• How quickly housing supply can respond to demand
• Which neighborhoods see the most change
• How property values evolve over time

Whether you are a homeowner, buyer, builder, or investor, zoning is one of the strongest forces behind future development patterns. The decisions being made right now will influence how Nashville grows for years to come.

Want to stay ahead of Nashville zoning and housing updates? 

If you want to understand how these zoning changes could affect your neighborhood, your property value, or your next purchase, pay attention to the maps, the timelines, and the April rollout. And if you want, I can help you track what Metro Planning publishes, summarize the final versions of each bill, and translate what they mean in plain English for a real estate decision.