Memphis officials have dropped a sweeping new zoning proposal in the public’s lap and are asking residents to help decide what their blocks should look like for decades to come. The first public draft of a citywide zoning map is now out, part of a larger Memphis 3.0 overhaul that pairs a rewritten Unified Development Code with a revised future land use map aimed at steering growth toward walkable, mixed-use areas. The rollout is already stirring debate in some neighborhoods, where critics are sounding alarms about upzoning and the future of single-family streets.
City posted two versions of the draft map
On Feb. 13, the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning & Development posted two versions of the proposed zoning map: a simplified overview and a detailed version that drills down to parcel-level changes with short staff notes. The detailed map lets residents plug in a specific address and leave public comments directly on that parcel, and officials say staff will review every comment as they refine the proposal. The Division is casting this release as the opening round of a public review phase that will lead to later refinements and hearings, according to 901UDCUpdate.com.
Maps, guides and background resources
The Memphis 3.0 site hosts interactive planning maps, a land use categories guide, and a zoning district guide that spell out how the proposed districts differ from today’s rules. Its Document Dashboard pulls together Comprehensive Plan materials, a draft Use Matrix, and district guidance so residents can translate zoning labels into real-world impacts. Those materials repeatedly stress a “build up, not out” approach and the use of a planning district framework, per Memphis 3.0.
How to view the technical map
For anyone who wants to dig into the data instead of just clicking around a web map, Shelby County’s GIS server hosts a "Memphis 3.0 Future Land Use" layer that can be viewed and queried through the county’s ArcGIS services. That layer lays out the proposed categories across Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County and can be used to analyze parcel-level changes or export data for closer review, according to Shelby County GIS.
Neighborhood concerns surface
Local reporting and neighborhood groups say the draft has already sparked concern among residents who worry that the proposed rezones could allow denser housing on blocks now dominated by detached single-family homes. The Daily Memphian reports that officials are urging people to use the interactive comment tools and attend drop-in events so planners can gather parcel-level feedback, and that the release has already drawn public pushback in parts of the city. For more on local reactions, see coverage from the Daily Memphian.
What zoning changes would mean
Rezoning would change what property owners are allowed to build and how lots can be used, potentially opening the door for duplexes, townhouses, or small multifamily buildings in places where only detached single-family houses are permitted today. The UDC rewrite and the proposed map are meant to simplify outdated rules, cut down on the need for special permits, and line up the code with Memphis 3.0’s goals for walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, according to materials on the Memphis 3.0 site. For now, these are proposals only; any final changes will come after more review, revisions, and public hearings.
How to comment and next steps
The detailed draft map allows users to leave parcel-specific comments, and planning staff says they will review each submission. The Division is also hosting a series of drop-in sessions where residents can sit down one-on-one with planners. Questions and written comments can be sent to [email protected], and the UDC update site lists the maps, tutorials, and event schedule. Officials say public feedback will drive revisions before any proposed districts move into formal code update steps and public hearings, per 901UDCUpdate.com.
For now, if you want a say in how your street is zoned, the job is clear: pull up the interactive map, leave specific parcel-level comments, and keep an eye on the Division’s event schedule. This draft marks the start of a months-long process, and officials say the maps will change as staff work through public input and technical review.
