A draft image from Gallatin’s new zoning ordinance, which was approved on first reading at the city council’s July 21, 2026, meeting. CITY OF GALLATIN

The Gallatin City Council passed on first reading at its July 21, 2026, meeting the city’s new “ZoCo” – the first comprehensive update of the city’s zoning ordinance since 1998.

According to city officials, the new ordinance will group key requirements, such as setbacks, permitted building types, landscaping, parking, signage and frontage standards, into a consistent layout for each district. Each property within Gallatin would be assigned to one of 14 character districts, ranging from CD-1 for undeveloped land to CD-5 for high-density, mixed-use areas within the downtown area.

“When I look at the new zoning map and when I look at the map in Plan Gallatin (the city’s official comprehensive growth policy and long-range master plan), there are plenty of areas that don’t agree, one with the other,” Councilman Pascal Jouvence said.

Jouvence did say he liked the open-space designations within the new ordinance, something that does not exist in the current ordinance.

Mayor Paige Brown suggested that concerns over other points within the new ordinance be referred to the city’s Municipal Planning Commission for clarification prior to second reading in August.

“We’re making it harder for independent and local builders and businesses,” Brown said regarding her own concerns. “When only national builders can meet your requirements, that’s the only ones we’re going to get. We talk about wanting to retain character and personality, and I think having that open door to be creative in how we allow for things is really important.”

Brown also expressed concern that the new ordinance could make housing more expensive at a time when Tennessee is already experiencing struggles with first-time home ownership.

City Planner Brian Rose countered that some of the concerns had already been addressed through the designing of the new ZoCo, citing an example of current vs. new requirements on brick usage in new homes.

The draft ordinance and a draft map can be viewed online at www.gallatintn.gov/301/Planning.

Also discussed and approved on first reading was a proposal to move 255 acres of recently annexed property near the Meta data center into the General Urban Character District and add said property to the Gateway Industrial Center.

Jouvence reiterated his opposition to the move, saying, “I still have an issue with changing rural to urban just like that. Plan Gallatin is what we use and what’s going to be used with the new ‘ZoCo.’ Implementation of the new ‘ZoCo’ says a comprehensive plan is designed to guide development within the city.”

The proposed redefinition passed by a 6-1 vote with Jouvence in opposition. A second reading will be held in August.

The council also discussed and approved a resolution asking the city’s planning commission to report on the possibility of enacting a temporary moratorium on data centers in Gallatin.

Councilmembers had previously discussed a timeframe for having the report from the planning commission and amended the resolution to have it back in time for the council’s Sept. 8 meeting.

A resolution authorizing the application by a property owner to have the city annex 29.67 acres near Old Highway 109 and State Route 109 failed by a 4-3 margin after opponents noted it was not clear yet whether the Gallatin Department of Electricity could service the area.

The council also unanimously approved on second reading changes to the city’s fireworks ordinance that clarify certain definitions of fireworks and the times at which fireworks can be shot off in the city limits.