Zoning and Development Glossary
Wedgewood-Houston Neighborhood: Zoning and Development Glossary
Introduction
This glossary provides explanations of planning and zoning terminology relevant to Nashville's Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. Terms are organized alphabetically and include definitions tailored to the neighborhood's specific context and development patterns.
Wedgewood-Houston Zoning Districts
IR - Industrial Restrictive
A zoning district prevalent in the northern sections of Wedgewood-Houston that permits light industrial uses, artisan manufacturing, and creative maker spaces. This zone has been instrumental in preserving the neighborhood's industrial character while allowing for adaptive reuse projects. Maximum building height is typically 3-5 stories depending on proximity to residential zones.
Building Examples:
Fort Houston creative complex (adaptive reuse of industrial warehouse)
Dozen Bakery (converted industrial space)
Nashville Craft Distillery
Co-working spaces in former warehouses
Artist collective workshops with exhibition spaces
Policy Requirements & Approval Process:
Site Plan Review required for developments over 10,000 square feet
Industrial Emissions Compliance Form for manufacturing uses
Sound mitigation plan for uses within 200 feet of residential zones
Arts District Compatibility Review if within Arts District Overlay
Traffic Impact Study for developments exceeding 20,000 square feet
Standard approval path: Metro Planning Department's Development Services → Industrial Districts Design Review Committee → Building Permits
MUN - Mixed Use Neighborhood
Common along Wedgewood Avenue and other major corridors, this zone encourages pedestrian-friendly mixed-use development with ground-floor commercial and upper-floor residential. In Wedgewood-Houston, this zoning supports the neighborhood's transformation into a vibrant, walkable community. FAR limits typically range from 1.0 to 3.0, with height limits of 3-5 stories.
Building Examples:
The Finery (four-story mixed-use building with ground floor retail and upper floor apartments)
Humphreys Street development (coffee shop with residential above)
Six10 Merritt (mixed-use building with commercial space and condominiums)
Wedgewood-Houston corner establishments with apartments above
Small-scale office buildings with first-floor retail
Policy Requirements & Approval Process:
Mandatory ground-floor transparency (minimum 60% glazing)
Active use requirement for first 30 feet of building depth along primary streets
Public realm improvement plan (sidewalks, street trees, lighting)
Community meeting required for developments over 20 units or 15,000 square feet
Affordable housing requirement (15% of units) for projects seeking height bonuses
Standard approval path: Concept Conference → Community Meeting → Urban Design Review Committee → Metro Planning Commission → Building Permits
MUL - Mixed Use Limited
Applied to transition areas between commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods in Wedgewood-Houston. This zone allows for less intensive mixed-use development than MUN, with smaller-scale retail and office uses. Building heights are typically limited to 3 stories.
Building Examples:
Corner cafés with 1-2 apartments above
Small professional offices in converted residential structures
Boutique retail in house-scale buildings
Live-work buildings with studios and galleries
Small neighborhood markets with apartments above
Policy Requirements & Approval Process:
Neighborhood Compatibility Form demonstrating scale relationship to adjacent properties
Parking screening and access management plan
Limited operating hours (typically 7am-10pm) for commercial uses
Landscape buffer requirements when adjacent to RS zones
Signage limited to building-mounted and small monument types
Standard approval path: Concept Review → Neighborhood Meeting (recommended) → Administrative Approval → Building Permits
RM20 - Multi-Family Residential (20 units/acre)
Found in sections of Wedgewood-Houston that have transitioned from industrial to residential use. This zone allows for medium-density residential development including townhouses and small apartment buildings. Maximum height is typically 3 stories.
Building Examples:
The Finery townhouses
Martin Corner row houses
Cottage court developments with shared courtyard
Small-scale apartment buildings (12-24 units)
Stacked flats in 2-3 story buildings
Policy Requirements & Approval Process:
Tree density requirements (minimum 14 tree density units per acre)
Open space requirement (minimum 15% of site area)
Building articulation requirements for facades over 40 feet
Stormwater management plan
Sidewalk construction or in-lieu fee
Standard approval path: Pre-Application Meeting → Development Services → Metro Planning Staff Review → Building Permits
RS5 - Single-Family Residential (5,000 sq ft minimum lot)
Applied to established residential pockets within Wedgewood-Houston. This zone preserves the character of single-family areas while allowing for compatible infill development. Maximum building height is typically 2.5 stories.
Building Examples:
Traditional craftsman bungalows
Modern infill single-family homes
Early 20th century worker cottages
Contemporary single-family homes with accessory dwelling units
Renovated historic residences
Policy Requirements & Approval Process:
Contextual front setback (average of adjacent properties)
Maximum 40% lot coverage
Accessory Dwelling Unit review if applicable
Basic stormwater management plan
Historic overlay review if in designated areas
Standard approval path: Zoning Clearance → Building Permits → Optional Board of Zoning Appeals for variances
SP - Specific Plan
Several parcels in Wedgewood-Houston are designated as Specific Plan zones, which are customized zoning districts with unique regulations tailored to specific development projects. These often include requirements for community benefits, design standards, and mixed uses that exceed standard zoning requirements.
Building Examples:
May Hosiery Mill complex (mixed-use redevelopment of historic industrial complex)
Merritt Mansion development (combination of historic preservation and new construction)
Nashville Warehouse Co. development
Core Development's multi-building communities
Innovative mixed-use developments with public plazas
Policy Requirements & Approval Process:
Preliminary SP Conference with Planning Department
Detailed Development Plan including land use mix, building massing, and public benefits
Multiple community engagement meetings (minimum 2)
Traffic and infrastructure impact analyses
Council Member briefing
Standard approval path: Pre-Application → Community Meetings → Metro Planning Commission Recommendation → Metro Council (Three Readings) → Detailed Design Review → Building Permits
CN - Commercial Neighborhood
Applied to small commercial nodes within Wedgewood-Houston, this zone permits neighborhood-serving retail and services. Building heights are typically limited to 2-3 stories, with requirements for pedestrian-oriented design.
Building Examples:
Bastion restaurant building
Small commercial strip centers with local businesses
Neighborhood service centers (laundromats, convenience stores)
Standalone shops and cafes
Converted residential structures for small businesses
Policy Requirements & Approval Process:
Corner lot orientation requirements for buildings at intersections
Pedestrian entrance required to face primary street
Maximum building setback of 15 feet from street
Landscape buffer when adjacent to residential zones
Limited delivery hours when adjacent to residential zones
Standard approval path: Zoning Clearance → Site Plan Review → Building Permits
CF - Core Frame
Located near the northern edge of Wedgewood-Houston approaching downtown, this zone allows for higher-intensity development that serves as a transition between downtown and the neighborhood. Building heights can reach 5-8 stories, with requirements for active ground floors.
Building Examples:
Southbound mixed-use development
Office buildings with first-floor retail and restaurants
Mid-rise residential buildings with structured parking
Hotel developments with ground-floor activation
Tech and creative office buildings with amenity spaces
Policy Requirements & Approval Process:
Downtown Code Compliance Form
Urban Design Review
Public Space Provision (minimum 5% of site area)
Transportation Demand Management Plan for projects over 50,000 square feet
Wind study for buildings exceeding 6 stories
Standard approval path: Concept Conference → Design Review Committee → Metro Planning Commission → Building Permits
Glossary Terms
Accessory Use
A use that is incidental to and customarily found in connection with the principal use of a property. In Wedgewood-Houston, this often includes artist studios, workshops, or small-scale retail within primarily residential or mixed-use developments.
Adaptive Reuse
The process of repurposing an existing building for a use other than its original design. In Wedgewood-Houston, this commonly involves converting former industrial buildings and warehouses into residential lofts, artist studios, galleries, or commercial spaces.
Arterial Street
A major thoroughfare designed to carry large volumes of traffic. In Wedgewood-Houston, these include Wedgewood Avenue and 4th Avenue South, which serve as important connectors to other Nashville neighborhoods.
Arts and Crafts District Overlay
A special overlay zone in parts of Wedgewood-Houston that provides additional regulations and incentives to preserve and promote spaces for artists, craftspeople, and makers. This overlay may include reduced parking requirements for arts-related uses and incentives for including affordable studio spaces.
As-of-right Development
Development that complies with all applicable zoning regulations without requiring special permits or variances. Most small-scale residential developments in Wedgewood-Houston fall into this category.
Base Height
The maximum permitted height of the front wall of a building before any required setback. In Wedgewood-Houston's mixed-use corridors, this helps maintain a consistent street wall.
Bonus Height
Additional building height permitted in exchange for providing community benefits such as affordable housing, public art, or enhanced public space. In Wedgewood-Houston's MUN and CF zones, bonus height provisions can allow for 1-2 additional stories.
Building Code Modification for Historic Structures
Provisions in Nashville's building code that allow for modifications to standard requirements when renovating historic buildings in Wedgewood-Houston, facilitating adaptive reuse while maintaining safety standards.
Building Envelope
The maximum three-dimensional space on a lot within which a structure can be built, as permitted by applicable height, setback, and yard controls. This defines the buildable area for new construction in Wedgewood-Houston.
Commercial Overlay
A zoning designation superimposed on residential districts to allow for local retail needs. In Wedgewood-Houston, these overlays are concentrated along major corridors like Wedgewood Avenue and foster mixed-use development.
Community Benefits Agreement
A contract signed by community groups and a developer that requires the developer to provide specific amenities or mitigations to the local community. In Wedgewood-Houston, these often include provisions for affordable housing, artist spaces, or public realm improvements.
Contextual Zoning
Regulations that control the height and bulk of new buildings to maintain consistency with existing neighborhood character. In Wedgewood-Houston, this helps preserve the area's industrial heritage while allowing for new development.
Creative Maker Space
A designation specific to Wedgewood-Houston that allows for small-scale manufacturing, craft production, and artistic creation spaces within mixed-use developments.
Density
The number of dwelling units permitted on a zoning lot. In Wedgewood-Houston, higher density is generally permitted along major corridors and in former industrial areas to support urban infill development.
Design Review
The process by which proposed developments are evaluated for compliance with neighborhood design guidelines. In Wedgewood-Houston, this helps ensure new construction respects the area's industrial character and scale.
Development Services Center
Nashville's one-stop shop for development review and permitting, where applicants for projects in Wedgewood-Houston submit plans for zoning compliance review before receiving building permits.
Environmental Impact Review
An assessment of how a proposed development will affect the surrounding environment. In Wedgewood-Houston, these are required for developments over 50,000 square feet or those involving potential contamination remediation from former industrial uses.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
The ratio of a building's total floor area to the area of its zoning lot. In Wedgewood-Houston, higher FARs are typically allowed in mixed-use zones to encourage density along major corridors.
Historic Overlay
A zoning designation that provides additional protection for buildings with historical significance. Several industrial buildings in Wedgewood-Houston may qualify for this designation to preserve neighborhood character.
Inclusionary Housing Bonus
Incentives provided to developers who include affordable housing units in their projects. In Wedgewood-Houston's MUN and CF zones, this typically allows for increased density or height in exchange for affordable units.
Incentive Zoning
Zoning that grants floor area bonuses or other benefits to developers who provide public amenities. In Wedgewood-Houston, this may include provisions for affordable housing, public art, or community spaces.
Industrial Flex Space
A designation that allows for a mix of light industrial, office, and retail uses within a single building. This is common in Wedgewood-Houston's former industrial buildings.
Infill Development
New construction on vacant or underutilized parcels within an already developed area. In Wedgewood-Houston, this often takes the form of townhouses, small apartment buildings, or mixed-use developments that complement existing structures.
Live-Work Unit
A residential unit that includes dedicated space for commercial or artistic work. These are particularly common in Wedgewood-Houston due to the neighborhood's artistic community.
Lot Coverage
The percentage of a zoning lot that is covered by buildings. In Wedgewood-Houston, maximum lot coverage helps maintain open space and prevent overdevelopment.
Makerhood
A term specific to Wedgewood-Houston that describes an area with a concentration of makers, artists, and creative professionals who both live and work in the neighborhood.
Metro Planning Commission
The appointed body that reviews and approves development applications in Nashville, including those in Wedgewood-Houston. The Commission holds public hearings where community members can provide input on proposed projects.
Mixed-Use Development
A development that combines residential uses with commercial, community facility, or light industrial uses. These are encouraged along major corridors in Wedgewood-Houston to create a vibrant, walkable neighborhood.
Neighborhood Meeting
A required community engagement session for certain development applications in Wedgewood-Houston. Developers must present their plans and gather feedback from residents, which must be documented and submitted with their application.
Nonconforming Use
A use that was lawfully established but no longer conforms to current zoning regulations. In Wedgewood-Houston, some older industrial uses may fall into this category.
Parking Reduction Zone
Areas within Wedgewood-Houston where parking requirements are reduced to encourage walkability, transit use, and adaptive reuse of historic buildings that may lack space for standard parking requirements.
Pedestrian-Oriented Design
Design features that enhance the pedestrian experience, such as street-level retail, wide sidewalks, and building entrances facing the street. This is emphasized in Wedgewood-Houston's design guidelines.
Public Realm
The publicly accessible spaces between buildings, including streets, sidewalks, parks, and plazas. Improving the public realm is a priority in Wedgewood-Houston's development plans.
Setback
The required distance between a building and the property line. In Wedgewood-Houston, setbacks vary by zoning district but generally allow for smaller front setbacks to maintain the urban street wall.
Special Purpose District
A zoning district created to achieve specific planning objectives in a defined area. Wedgewood-Houston may have special districts to preserve its artistic character and industrial heritage.
Stormwater Management
Measures to control rainwater runoff from developed areas. In Wedgewood-Houston, green infrastructure like bioswales and permeable pavements are encouraged to manage stormwater sustainably.
Street Wall
The continuous front facades of buildings along a street. Preserving a consistent street wall is important in Wedgewood-Houston's commercial corridors.
Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)
A program that allows property owners to sell unused development rights to developers who can then use those rights to build additional floor area on other properties. In Wedgewood-Houston, this tool is sometimes used to preserve historic industrial buildings while allowing for growth elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Transitional Height Plane
A zoning requirement that limits building heights near residential zones to prevent overshadowing and maintain neighborhood scale. In Wedgewood-Houston, this applies particularly where IR and MUN zones border residential areas.
Upzoning
The rezoning of an area to allow for higher density development. Parts of Wedgewood-Houston have experienced upzoning to accommodate Nashville's growth while maintaining neighborhood character.
Urban Design Overlay
A supplementary zoning tool that provides specific design guidelines for development in designated areas of Wedgewood-Houston to ensure new construction contributes positively to the neighborhood's character.
Variance
A discretionary approval that permits a deviation from zoning regulations. In Wedgewood-Houston, variances might be granted for historic buildings or unique site conditions.
Walkability
A measure of how friendly an area is to walking. Improving walkability through connected sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian amenities is a priority in Wedgewood-Houston.
Public Approval Process Overview
Typical Development Approval Timeline
Pre-application Phase (2-4 weeks)
Initial concept development
Pre-application meeting with Metro Planning staff
Zoning compliance verification
Community Engagement Phase (4-8 weeks)
Presentation to Wedgewood-Houston Neighborhood Association
Required neighborhood meeting for projects over threshold size
Documentation of feedback and response
Application Review Phase (8-12 weeks)
Technical review by Metro departments
Design review (if applicable)
Staff report preparation
Planning Commission hearing
Legislative Approval Phase (if rezoning required) (10-14 weeks)
Planning Commission recommendation
First reading at Metro Council
Committee review
Second reading
Public hearing and third reading
Permitting Phase (6-10 weeks)
Final development plan submission
Building permit review
Construction permitting
Key Community Engagement Requirements
Notification to property owners within 300 feet of site
Community meeting with notice at least 14 days prior
Signage posted on development site
Project webpage for developments requiring Planning Commission review
Regular construction updates for major projects
Additional Resources
Nashville Planning Department: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/planning
Wedgewood-Houston Neighborhood Association
Nashville Next Comprehensive Plan
Wedgewood-Houston Detailed Neighborhood Design Plan
