Housing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2052: Planning, Public - As introduced, authorizes the City of Clarksville and Montgomery County to participate in the Tennessee local land bank program. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 30.

SB 2052 amends Tennessee law to allow the City of Clarksville (population 166,700-166,800 per 2020 census) and Montgomery County (population 220,000-220,100 per 2020 census) to join the state's local land bank program. The bill expands eligibility by adding specific population thresholds to existing criteria in Tennessee Code Title 13, Chapter 30. This change directly affects Clarksville and Montgomery County by enabling them to use the land bank program for managing vacant or abandoned properties. The policy change is purely procedural, creating new eligibility without altering land bank operations or funding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables land bank program to manage vacant properties, facilitating housing development and affordable housing opportunities through municipal participation.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2131: Housing - As introduced, provides for the regulation of accessory dwelling units. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 66 and Title 68.

SB 2131 regulates accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary housing units (like in-law suites or backyard cottages) on lots zoned for single-family or duplex homes. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing more restrictive rules on ADUs than on primary homes, such as requiring smaller sizes (minimum 850 sq ft), banning ADUs on single-family lots, mandating owner occupancy, or limiting parking. It also requires local governments to process ADU building permits within 60 days without discretionary review or extra hearings. This bill directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs and local governments managing zoning and building codes across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes barriers to ADUs (like size limits/bans), enabling more housing options and increasing supply, directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

Track

signed · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1892: Real Property - As enacted, authorizes a tax increment agency to enter into a taxpayer agreement relative to a plan area after obtaining a written statement executed by each holder of an existing, previously recorded mortgage or deed of trust on the property securing indebtedness and in which each holder consents to the taxpayer agreement and indicates that the assessment does not constitute an event of default under the existing mortgage or deed of trust. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 23 and Title 67, Chapter 5.

HB 1892 allows housing authorities, industrial development corporations, and community redevelopment agencies in Tennessee to require property owners in designated redevelopment areas to make payments securing the agencies' bonds. These payments create a recorded lien on the property that takes priority over all existing and future mortgages or liens, treated like property taxes for enforcement. The agreement must include specific details like property description and owner names when filed with the county, and the lien remains with the land even if other debts are paid.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables tax increment agencies to secure funding for redevelopment projects via property liens, advancing state budget capacity for public infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables housing authorities to secure bonds via priority liens for redevelopment projects, directly supporting housing development in designated areas through financing mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Housing Finance Property Development

died · Tennessee · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 1693: State Government - As introduced, adds a certificate of release or discharge from active duty (DD-214) issued by the United States department of defense to the list of items an applicant for a federal, state, or local public benefit may produce to a state governmental entity or local health department to verify the applicant's United States citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 58 and Title 49.

HB 1693 would have allowed veterans to use a DD-214 (a military discharge certificate) as proof of U.S. citizenship when applying for public benefits like food assistance or housing aid in Tennessee. It amended state law to add the DD-214 to the list of acceptable documents for verifying citizenship eligibility. The bill was introduced on January 15, 2026, but withdrawn the same day (January 21, 2026), so it did not become law. This procedural change would have directly affected veterans seeking state or local public benefits.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly enables veterans to use DD-214 for housing aid eligibility, directly supporting access to housing assistance programs under public benefits.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill would allow veterans to use DD-214 for citizenship verification when applying for public benefits, easing access to services like housing aid and food assistance.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1908: Real Property - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," which entitles a property owner to just compensation from a public entity if the public entity enacts a land use regulation that has the effect of reducing the fair market value of the property. - Amends TCA Title 29, Chapter 16.

SB 1908, the "Tennessee Private Property Vesting Rights of 2026," requires public entities (like cities or counties) to pay property owners just compensation when new land use regulations reduce a property's fair market value. It exempts regulations related to public health/safety (e.g., building codes), federal requirements, or common nuisances. Property owners must submit a written demand within three years of the regulation's enactment and can choose either compensation or a modification of the regulation. This applies to properties acquired after the regulation's adoption, not to pre-existing rules.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill requires compensation for property value loss from land use regulations, potentially deterring zoning reforms that expand housing development and affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Landlords

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2068: Zoning - As introduced, prohibits the adoption or enforcement of zoning regulations that have the effect of diminishing the value of a property; authorizes property owners to seek compensation for such diminished value. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13, Chapter 7.

HB 2068 prohibits Tennessee local governments from adopting or enforcing zoning changes that reduce a property's value ("downzoning"), such as limiting building density, height, or use. Property owners affected by such changes can seek compensation based on an independent appraisal showing the loss in fair market value. Exceptions allow downzoning for health/safety protections (like flood zones), federal law compliance (e.g., ADA), or compatible zoning overlays that don’t reduce residential capacity. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires local governments to pay compensation if they fail to provide it before a property owner sues.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingProhibits downzoning that limits housing development (e.g., density restrictions), protecting property owners over affordable housing access by discouraging local zoning changes that could increase supply.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1771: Zoning - As enacted, authorizes certain counties to adopt a resolution prohibiting a municipality or regional zoning commission from exercising zoning authority outside of the boundaries of the municipality. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

SB 1771 would allow counties with populations under 341,500 (per 2020 census) to prohibit municipalities from enforcing zoning rules outside their city limits. If a county passes a resolution approving this, any existing zoning ordinances applied beyond municipal boundaries become invalid. The bill requires counties to adopt this resolution via majority vote, but does not apply to metropolitan counties or prevent counties/municipalities from making interlocal agreements for ongoing projects. This directly affects local governments' authority over land use planning in unincorporated areas.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts municipal zoning authority outside city limits, limiting housing development options by invalidating existing ordinances beyond municipal boundaries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1716: Taxes, Real Property - As introduced, sets the value of residential property for tax purposes at the higher of the most recent price paid for the property or the value attributed to the property by a financial institution when the owner refinances the mortgage on the property or otherwise uses the property as collateral for a loan; prohibits the sale of real property used by the owner as a principal place of residence for 10 years or more to satisfy a tax debt. - Amends TCA Title 26 and Title 67.

HB 1716 changes how Tennessee taxes residential property by setting the tax value at the higher of the most recent sale price or a financial institution's appraisal during refinancing (effective after December 2020). It also protects homeowners who have lived in their primary residence as a U.S. citizen for 10+ years by prohibiting tax sales to satisfy property tax debt, requiring proof of residency and citizenship. Once eligibility is confirmed, interest stops accruing on the debt, which becomes due only upon property transfer. This applies to homes used as primary residences, directly affecting long-term residential property owners. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 26-2-301 and 67-5-2501.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents tax sales for primary residences owned 10+ years, providing relief and protecting homeowners from property seizure, aligning with fiscal responsibility and tax protection.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects long-term homeowners from tax sales, aligning with property rights under housing policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Mortgages Property Taxes

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1685: Zoning - As introduced, removes requirement that a structure rebuilt on a site must conform to the zoning regulations existing at the time of the new construction. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 7.

SB 1685 removes a requirement that structures rebuilt on a site must follow the current zoning regulations in place when construction begins. This change allows property owners and developers to rebuild using the zoning rules that applied when the original structure was built, rather than adapting to updated regulations. The bill specifically amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 13-7-208(d)(1) and (i) by deleting the referenced language. It directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to reconstruct damaged or demolished properties in areas where zoning has changed since the original building was constructed. The law would take effect upon becoming enacted.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves current zoning barriers for rebuilding, allowing development under older (often less restrictive) rules, directly facilitating housing development as defined in the topic.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1788: Local Government, General - As enacted, prohibits local governmental entities from relocating homeless individuals unless the relocation meets certain criteria; authorizes the receiving jurisdiction to seek damages and injunctive relief for violations. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 71, Chapter 5.

SB 1788 prohibits Tennessee local governments (like cities or counties) from moving homeless individuals to another jurisdiction without first getting written agreement from that receiving area. It also bans using public funds for such relocations unless housing and services are confirmed available in the new location. The bill authorizes Tennessee’s attorney general to impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and lets affected jurisdictions sue for damages or block violations through court orders. These changes apply to local government actions under Tennessee law, directly impacting how municipalities handle homeless population relocations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits non-coordinated homeless relocations, requiring housing/services availability - directly addresses homelessness protection per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness