Zoning

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was withdrawn on January 14, 2026, which means it did not become law.

Zoning Changes for Business Establishments

This bill changes Tennessee's zoning laws to allow businesses more freedom to demolish and rebuild their facilities after a zoning change.

What This Bill Does

• Allows businesses that were operating before a zoning change to tear down existing buildings and build new ones, not only those necessary for business operations.
• Removes the requirement that rebuilt structures must follow current zoning rules about setbacks, height limits, and other physical requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

• Businesses that were operating before a zoning change in Tennessee
• Local governments and planning departments responsible for enforcing zoning laws

Terms To Know

Zoning regulations

Rules set by local government to control how land is used, such as where buildings can be built or what types of businesses are allowed.

Setbacks

The minimum distance a building must be from the edge of a property line.

Limits and Unknowns

• This bill was withdrawn on January 14, 2026.
• It is unclear how many businesses will take advantage of these changes if the bill were to pass.
• The exact impact on local zoning enforcement and community development remains uncertain.

Official Summary Text

Present law generally provides that i
ndustrial, commercial, or other business establishments in operation and permitted to operate under zoning regulations or exceptions thereto immediately preceding a change in zoning
are
allowed to destroy present facilities and reconstruct new facilities necessary to the conduct of such industry or business subsequent to the zoning change
. However, certain other requirements and prohibitions apply in present law relative to such authority.

This bill expands the authority of such establishments to
destroy
any
present facilities and reconstruct new facilities
, not only those necessary to the conduct of such industry or business, as long as such destruction adheres the other requirements and prohibitions in present law relative to such authority.

ZONING REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO STRUCTURES BUILT ON SUCH SITE

Present law requires
any structure rebuilt on the site
to
conform to the existing zoning regulations as to setbacks, height, bulk, or requirements as to the physical location of a structure upon the site,
despite having the ability to destroy and reconstruct facilities necessary to the conduct of such industry or business after a zoning change. This bill removes this requirement.

Current Bill Text

<BillNo> <Sponsor>

SENATE BILL 1676
By Walley
SB1676
010808
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13,
Chapter 7, relative to zoning.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 13-7-208(d)(1), is amended by
deleting the language "necessary to the conduct of such industry or business".
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 13-7-208(i), is amended by deleting
the subsection.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.