NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 14, 2025) — In an effort to address Nashville’s growing housing affordability challenges, Metro Council will consider four major zoning bills on November 4 that stem from the Metro Planning Department’s Unified Housing Strategy, released earlier this year.
The report found that Nashville must add approximately 90,000 new housing units by 2034 to meet projected demand. Under current zoning, only 70,000 units can be built — leaving a shortfall of 20,000 homes.
“As REALTORS®, we see firsthand the impact that limited housing supply has on families across Middle Tennessee,” said Collyn Wainwright, president of Greater Nashville REALTORS®. “These proposed zoning updates are an important step toward expanding attainable housing options while preserving the integrity of our city’s neighborhoods.”
Representing more than 6,800 REALTOR® members across Middle Tennessee, Greater Nashville REALTORS® is committed to working alongside policymakers to craft smart, effective solutions that create more opportunities for residents to achieve homeownership.
The four bills scheduled for consideration will streamline the planning process for alternative housing types and expand the range of attainable housing options available to Nashvillians:
- BL2025-1005 introduces two new zoning districts that would give developers greater flexibility to deliver a broader mix of housing options. Planning Director Lucy Kempf described these new districts as a “buffet” of choices that better align with the diverse needs of homebuyers and renters when speaking to our association in May.
- BL2025-1006 and BL2025-1007 update regulations for two-family dwellings and detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) — also known as “in-law suites.” These changes extend eligibility to more properties, allowing for responsible infill that fits within existing community overlays.
- BL2025-1008 creates the Voluntary Attainability Housing Incentive Program, enabling the Planning Department to offer incentives for developers building multi-family dwellings of five or more units that include income-restricted housing for at least 30 years.
Greater Nashville REALTORS® recognizes that solving Nashville’s housing challenges will require a broad set of policy tools and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. These bills represent practical, forward-thinking steps to make housing more accessible and attainable for residents across income levels.
Importantly, the character of Nashville’s neighborhoods will remain protected under existing overlays and design standards. The proposed changes simply expand the tools available to create diverse, affordable housing options within the city’s existing development framework.
“The goal is not to change our neighborhoods, it’s to ensure more Nashvillians can afford to call them home,” said Jarron Springer, CEO of Greater Nashville REALTORS®. “By working together with city leaders, we can make progress toward a more inclusive, sustainable housing future.”
About Us: Greater Nashville REALTORS® is one of Middle Tennessee’s largest professional trade associations and serves as the primary voice for Nashville-area property owners. REALTOR® is a registered trademark that may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict code of ethics.
