Tennessee Senate Bill SB2237

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 7 and Title 67, relative to housing.

Impact

The bill's implementation is expected to have notable impacts on state laws by providing financial incentives for local governments that adopt these zoning reform strategies. Specifically, counties and municipalities that facilitate such measures can receive a percentage of revenue collected from certain transactions, potentially up to 20%. This is an attempt to encourage local governments to embrace reforms that facilitate more housing options for residents, addressing the critical housing shortages in many areas of Tennessee.

Summary

Senate Bill 2237 is designed to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated by introducing measures aimed at enhancing housing development through various zoning reforms. The bill includes provisions that allow counties and municipalities to adopt specific strategies that promote increased housing density and more flexible zoning regulations. Among these strategies, the bill allows for the construction of duplexes, quadplexes, and townhouses on single-family zoned lots, as well as the establishment of mixed-use developments in areas designated for offices or commercial use. Furthermore, it proposes enabling faith institutions and healthcare facilities to build multifamily housing on their existing land with adequate sewer access.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB2237 center on the balance of local versus state authority in zoning matters. While the bill aims to simplify housing development processes, critics may argue that it risks undermining local control over land use and development decisions. Questions about how these changes will affect community character, infrastructure, and local property values are likely to arise, particularly from community advocacy groups and residents concerned about the rapid proliferation of multifamily units in historically single-family neighborhoods.