Buildability™
Score a property
  1. Zoning
  2. Memphis, TN
  3. RU-5

Memphis, TN · zoning record

RU-5 zoning in Memphis.

The dimensional standards that govern what you can build in the RU-5 district, straight from Memphis's ordinance, with every figure quoting its source. Check a specific address to see how these rules apply to a real lot.

Free · Every figure cited · Read from the current code (2026-10-02)

RU-5 dimensional standards.

These are the letter-of-the-law limits for the base RU-5 district. Overlays (historic, neighborhood plan, and similar) can tighten them; a specific address check resolves the overlays that actually apply.

Maximum height

50 ft

How tall the building may be. The code sets this by what you build, not one number for the district.

Values, by what you build · 1
  • NONRESIDENTIAL USES50 ft
    “Height (max ft.) see also 3.2.6 45 45 45 50 50”table › Height (max ft.) see also 3.2.6 › RU-5 column · Memphis code

Minimum lot size

6,000 sf

Smallest conforming lot. The code sets this by what you build, not one number for the district.

Values, by what you build · 1
  • NONRESIDENTIAL USES6,000 sf
    “Area (sq. ft.) 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000”table › Area (sq. ft.) › RU-5 column · Memphis code

Minimum lot width

45 ft

Narrowest conforming lot. The code sets this by what you build, not one number for the district.

Values, by what you build · 1
  • NONRESIDENTIAL USES45 ft
    “Width (ft.) 45 45 45 45 45”table › Width (ft.) › RU-5 column · Memphis code

Front setback

2 ft

Required space from the front line. The code sets this by what you build, not one number for the district.

Values, by what you build · 1
  • NONRESIDENTIAL USES2 ft
    “Front (min) 2 2 2 2 2”table › Front (min) › RU-5 column · Memphis code

Interior side setback

5 ft

Required space from a side line. The code sets this by what you build, not one number for the district.

Values, by what you build · 1
  • NONRESIDENTIAL USES5 ft
    “Side (interior) 5 5 5 5 5”table › Side (interior) › RU-5 column · Memphis code

Street-side setback

10 ft

Required space from a side street on a corner lot. The code sets this by what you build, not one number for the district.

Values, by what you build · 1
  • NONRESIDENTIAL USES10 ft
    “Side (street) 10 10 10 10 10”table › Side (street) › RU-5 column · Memphis code

Rear setback

20 ft

Required space from the rear line. The code sets this by what you build, not one number for the district.

Values, by what you build · 1
  • NONRESIDENTIAL USES20 ft
    “Rear 20 20 20 20 20”table › Rear › RU-5 column · Memphis code

Sources

Every figure above is quoted verbatim from the current ordinance. We never substitute a typical-for-zone default: a field absent from the record shows nothing, not a guess.

Informational only — not a permit, appraisal, or professional engineering opinion. Verify with your local planning department before acting on it. See Terms and data sources.

Other Memphis districts on record.

RU-1RU-3RU-4R-6RU-2R-10R-8R-MPR-15R-3R-E

Check a real Memphis lot against RU-5.

See how these standards resolve on a specific parcel, with the overlays that actually apply, in about 20 seconds.

Free to score · No card, no signup · All 50 states