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A draft image from Gallatin\u2019s new zoning ordinance, which was approved on first reading at the city council\u2019s July 21, 2026, meeting. CITY OF GALLATIN<\/p>\nA draft image from Gallatin\u2019s new zoning ordinance, which was approved on first reading at the city council\u2019s July 21, 2026, meeting. CITY OF GALLATIN<\/p>\n
The Gallatin City Council passed on first reading at its July 21, 2026, meeting the city\u2019s new \u201cZoCo\u201d \u2013 the first comprehensive update of the city\u2019s zoning ordinance since 1998.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I look at the new zoning map and when I look at the map in Plan Gallatin (the city\u2019s official comprehensive growth policy and long-range master plan), there are plenty of areas that don\u2019t agree, one with the other,\u201d Councilman Pascal Jouvence said.<\/p>\n
Jouvence did say he liked the open-space designations within the new ordinance, something that does not exist in the current ordinance.<\/p>\n
Mayor Paige Brown suggested that concerns over other points within the new ordinance be referred to the city\u2019s Municipal Planning Commission for clarification prior to second reading in August.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re making it harder for independent and local builders and businesses,\u201d Brown said regarding her own concerns. \u201cWhen only national builders can meet your requirements, that\u2019s the only ones we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n