Two proposals that could shape Murfreesboro neighborhoods are on city agendas this week: a minimum lot width for new single-family homes and rules for outdoor pickleball and paddle courts.
Proposed 55-Foot Minimum Lot Width
At a joint City Council and Planning Commission conceptual workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 111 W. Vine St., City Manager Darren Gore is presenting a staff recommendation for:
- A 55-foot minimum lot width for single-family homes with front driveways
- A 40-foot minimum for homes with rear driveways
The rule would apply to new zoning and development applications, with narrow exceptions for existing entitlements, infill sites and lots where utilities are already installed.
Staff say narrow lots squeeze utilities, drainage and driveways into the same strip of land. The packet compares recent subdivisions:
- Shelton Square (lots 70 feet and wider): all 47 lots reviewed met both the 3-foot and 5-foot utility separation thresholds
- Slatewood (75 feet and wider): 19 of 24 met the 3-foot threshold, and 16 of 24 met the 5-foot threshold
- River Landing (lots 41 feet or narrower): 4 of 74 met the 3-foot threshold, and none met the 5-foot threshold
Staff calculate that an 18-foot driveway plus the required utility separations needs about 43 feet of frontage. The workshop is a discussion; any change would require a later ordinance. The same workshop includes the proposed Cedar Grove youth psychiatric hospital on Lascassas Pike.
Pickleball and Paddle Court Rules: Oct. 1 Public Hearing
On Thursday, Oct. 1, the City Council holds a public hearing on Ordinance 26-O-35, covering "outdoor paddle sport facility uses." Public comment begins at 5:30 p.m. (sign up at least six hours ahead), and public hearings start at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
When the proposal surfaced in July, Mix 92.9 reported it would bar new outdoor courts within 300 feet of homes, limit hours and, in some cases, require noise mitigation. The final ordinance text may differ from that early description.
The Oct. 1 agenda also includes a rezoning from Commercial Fringe to single-family RS-6 (Ordinance 26-OZ-36) and an annexation with PRD zoning (Resolution 26-R-PSA-37 and Ordinance 26-OZ-37). The Planning Commission meets Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. to consider rezoning 2.51 acres on Brinkley Avenue from CH to PUD.
For places to play racket sports now, see the Adams Tennis Complex and Murfreesboro parks guides. For neighborhood and housing context, see the Murfreesboro neighborhoods guide and Murfreesboro real estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Murfreesboro changing minimum lot sizes?
City staff are recommending a 55-foot minimum lot width for new single-family homes with front driveways and 40 feet for homes with rear driveways. It will be discussed at a Sept. 30, 2026, workshop; no ordinance has been adopted.
Is Murfreesboro regulating pickleball courts?
The City Council holds a public hearing on Oct. 1, 2026, on Ordinance 26-O-35 on outdoor paddle sport facilities. Early reporting in July described limits on courts near homes, hours and noise.
How do I speak at a Murfreesboro City Council meeting?
Public comment begins at 5:30 p.m. before the meeting, and speakers must sign up at least six hours ahead, according to the city's Oct. 1 public hearing notice.
Sources: City of Murfreesboro: Public Hearings, Oct. 1, 2026, Sept. 30 Joint Conceptual Workshop packet, Oct. 1 City Council agenda, Sept. 30 Planning Commission agenda and Mix 92.9.
*Illustration: AI-generated image of pickleball courts; not a specific Murfreesboro location.*