Memphis building permits
Building permits in Memphis are issued by the Construction Enforcement (Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development)1. You can apply and request inspections online through aca3.accela.com2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Building codes in force in Memphis
- Memphis building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Memphis
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Memphis
- Building without a permit in Memphis
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Tennessee rules that also apply in Memphis
- Sources
Building department contacts
Construction Enforcement (Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development)1
Building permits
- Website
- develop901.com1
- Apply online
- aca3.accela.com2
- Phone
- (901) 222-83003
- [email protected]3
- Address
- 6465 Mullins Station Rd, Memphis, TN 381344
- Hours
- M-F, 8 AM - 4:30 PM4
- Inspections
- Develop 901 Citizen Portal, after permits are issued5
Land Use and Development Services (Division of Planning and Development)6
Zoning and planning
- Website
- develop901.com6
- Phone
- (901) 636-66193
- [email protected]3
Memphis Landmarks Commission5
Historic preservation
- Website
- develop901.com6
- Phone
- (901) 636-66195
- [email protected]5
City of Memphis Code Enforcement (Department of Housing Code Enforcement)7
Code enforcement
- Website
- memphistn.gov7
- Phone
- (901) 636-74647
- Address
- 4225 Riverdale Rd, Memphis, TN 381417
- Hours
- M-F 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.7
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: aca-prod.accela.com5.
Building codes in force in Memphis
These are the model codes Memphis enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Tennessee building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2021 Edition International Building Code with Local Amendments1 | 20211 | Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council8 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2021 Edition International Existing Building Code with Local Amendments1 | 20211 | Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council9 |
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2021 Edition International Residential Code with Local Amendments1 | 20211 | Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council9 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2020 Edition National Electric Code with Local Amendments1 | 20201 | Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council10 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | 2021 Edition International Plumbing Code with Local Amendments1 | 20211 | City Ordinance # 5715; County Ordinance # 49611 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | 2021 Edition International Mechanical Code with Local Amendments1 | 20211 | Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council12 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | 2021 Edition International Fuel Gas Code with Local Amendments1 | 20211 | Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council13 |
| International Fire Code (IFC) | 2021 Edition International Fire Code with Local Amendments (City of Memphis)1 | 20211 | Memphis City Council, Ordinance No. 580814 |
| Energy code, residential | 2021 Edition International Energy Conservation Code with Local Amendments1 | – | Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council15 |
| Energy code, commercial | 2021 Edition International Energy Conservation Code with Local Amendments1 | – | Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council15 |
| Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) | Ordinance No. 5708, the International Property Maintenance Code7 | – | City of Memphis, Ordinance No. 57087 |
Transition rules. Six months from January 1, 2022 (now past)16.
Memphis building permit fees
Fees come from the 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section Fees17.
How valuation is set. Total project value, materials and labor8.
Each line is worded as in Memphis’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative charge and surcharge (added to fees) | State surcharge | ****ALL FEES BELOW DO NOT INCLUDE AN ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE OF $4.00 AND A SURCHARGE OF $1.00 FOR RESIDENTIAL OR $5.00 FOR COMMERCIAL (ADD $5 TO RESIDENTIAL TOTAL AND $9 TO COMMERCIAL TOTAL)17 |
| Residential application fee, new and additions | Flat fee | APPLICATION FEE – NEW, ADDITIONS $50.0017 |
| Residential application fee, alterations, repairs, accessory | Flat fee | APP. FEE – ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS, ACCESSORY $25.0017 |
| New construction or addition | Per square foot | NEW CONSTRUCTION OR ADDITION PER SQ. FT. $0.0717 |
| Minimum fee, new single-family or duplex | Minimum fee | MINIMUM FEE FOR NEW SFR OR DUP $125.0017 |
| Minimum fee, additions 400 sq ft or less | Minimum fee | MINIMUM FEE FOR ADDITIONS 400 SQ. FT. OR LESS $50.0017 |
| Minimum fee, additions 401-800 sq ft | Minimum fee | MINIMUM FEE FOR ADDITIONS 401 SQ. FT. - 800 SQ. FT. $75.0017 |
| Minimum fee, additions over 800 sq ft | Minimum fee | MINIMUM FEE FOR ADDITIONS OVER 800 SQ. FT. $125.0017 |
| Detached accessory buildings 400 sq ft or less | Flat fee | DETATCHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS 400 SQ. FT. OR LESS $25.0017 |
| Detached accessory buildings over 400 sq ft | Per square foot | DETATCHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS OVER 400 SQ. FT. ($0.07/SQ FT) $50.00 MIN17 |
| Alteration/repair | Based on project valuation | ALTERATION/REPAIR ($5.00/1,000 VALUATION) $50.00 MIN / $325.00 MAX17 |
| Decks, spas and similar structures | Flat fee | CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR/ALTERATION TO DECKS, SPAS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES $50.0017 |
| Pool or retaining wall | Based on project valuation | POOL OR RETAINING WALL $5.00/1,000 (NO MAX) $70.00 MIN17 |
| Residential fence, 400 linear ft or less | Flat fee | RESIDENTIAL FENCE PERMIT 400 LINEAR FT OR LESS $25.0017 |
| Curb cut driveway approach, new/replacement | Flat fee | NEW/REPLACEMENT $35.0017 |
| One and two family plan review, up to 2,500 sq ft | Plan review | UP TO 2,500 SQ FT $125.0017 |
| One and two family plan review, over 2,500 sq ft | Plan review | OVER 2,500 SQ FT $150.0017 |
| Demolition | Based on project valuation | a. Permits to demolish structures as provided for in the Existing Building Code, the fees shall be at the rate of $9 for each 25,000 cubic feet, or fraction thereof, with a minimum fee of $70 and maximum fee of $560.9 |
| Certificate of occupancy | Flat fee | CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY $125.0017 |
| Building reinspection | Re-inspection | REINSPECTION FEE $50.0017 |
| Mechanical fee, issuance | Flat fee | M-0 FEE ISSUANCE COST PER PERMIT $20.0017 |
| Mechanical fee, first $1,000 of valuation | Based on project valuation | M-3.1 FEE FOR FIRST $1,000 VALUATION $15.0017 |
| Mechanical fee, each additional $1,000 under $1,000,000 | Based on project valuation | FOR EACH ADDITIONAL $1,000 < $1,000,000 $8.0017 |
| Electrical issuance | Flat fee | E-0 FEE ISSUANCE COST PER PERMIT EXCEPT FOR METER PUT BACKS (E5.2) $20.0017 |
| Service, feeder or panel replacement | Flat fee | E6.3 SERVICE, FEEDER, OR PANEL REPLACEMENT $50.0017 |
| In-ground residential pool, electrical | Flat fee | E6.4 IN GROUND RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL $10017 |
| Plumbing issuance | Flat fee | PERMIT ISSUANCE $20.0017 |
| Electric water heater replacement | Flat fee | P-1.1 ELECTRIC WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT $7.5017 |
| Residential sewer repair or replacement | Flat fee | P-1.2.1 RESIDENTIAL SEWER REPAIR OR SEWER REPLACEMENT $30.0017 |
| Gas water heater, first $1,000 | Based on project valuation | G-3.1.3 WATER HEATER FIRST $1000 $15.0017 |
| Gas fee, issuance | Flat fee | G-0 FEE ISSUANCE COST PER PERMIT $20.0017 |
How to get a building permit in Memphis
- Check whether the project needs a permit by calling a service center5
- Register for a Citizen Portal account5
- Submit applications, documents and payments online5
- Plans are reviewed; other departments may be involved1
- Schedule inspections after the permit is issued5
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Invalid if work does not start within 6 months, or stops for 6 months9
- Extensions
- Written extensions of up to 90 days each, for justifiable cause9
Inspections in Memphis
Memphis’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- How to schedule
- Develop 901 Citizen Portal5
- Re-inspection fee
- REINSPECTION FEE $50.0017
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of completion may be issued9
Building without a permit in Memphis
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it |
|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee 2021 Memphis and Shelby County Building Code, Appendix A, para. 4 | Building work started before a permit is obtained9 | Double the normal fee9 |
| Higher permit fee | Mechanical work started before a permit is issued17 | Double fee17 |
| Higher permit fee | Electrical work started before a permit is issued17 | Double fee17 |
| Higher permit fee | Gas work started before a permit is issued17 | Double fee17 |
| Higher permit fee 2022 Joint Plumbing Code, P-4 | Plumbing work started before a permit is obtained11 | Triple the normal permit fee11 |
| Higher permit fee | Signs installed without a permit9 | Triple fees9 |
| Civil penalty 2021 Memphis and Shelby County Electrical Code § 1003.1 | Electrical code violations10 | Up to $50 per violation, each day separate10 |
| Daily fine 2022 Joint Plumbing Code § 108.4 | Plumbing code violations11 | Not more than $50 per day per violation11 |
| Stop-work order 2022 Joint Plumbing Code § 108.5 | Plumbing work contrary to code or unsafe11 | Work must immediately cease11 |
| Removal order 2021 Memphis and Shelby County Building Code § 114.11 | Work installed in violation of the Technical Codes9 | Removal in its entirety on written order9 |
| Permit revoked 2021 Memphis and Shelby County Building Code § 105.6 | Permits issued in error or used in violation9 | Suspension or revocation9 |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes1
- Homeowner plumbing work
- No18
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Primary residence or accessory to it18
- Affidavit or declaration
- Yes1
Tennessee's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Tennessee permit guide.
Tennessee rules that also apply in Memphis
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Tennessee
- Contractor licensing in Tennessee
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Tennessee
- Private plan review and inspections in Tennessee
Sources
- Construction EnforcementMemphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Building and ZoningCity of MemphisChecked November 6, 2026
- DepartmentsMemphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 6, 2026
- ContactMemphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 6, 2026
- DIY CornerMemphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Land Use and Development ServicesMemphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 6, 2026
- Code EnforcementCity of MemphisChecked November 6, 2026
- General Submittal DocumentsMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementChecked November 7, 2026
- 2021 Memphis and Shelby County Building Code (joint ordinance and local amendments)Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementChecked November 8, 2026
- 2021 Joint Electrical Code (Published)Shelby County Board of Commissioners and Memphis City Council (joint ordinance, posted by the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement)Checked November 6, 2026
- 2022 Joint Plumbing CodeMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementChecked November 8, 2026
- 2021 IMC Amendments - Final (joint ordinance)Shelby County Board of Commissioners and Memphis City Council (joint ordinance, posted by the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement)Checked November 6, 2026
- 2021 IFGC Amendments - Final (joint ordinance)Shelby County Board of Commissioners and Memphis City Council (joint ordinance, posted by the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement)Checked November 6, 2026
- City Council Ordinance IFC 2021 AmendmentCity of Memphis, Memphis City CouncilChecked November 6, 2026
- 2021 IECC Amendments - Final (joint ordinance)Shelby County Board of Commissioners and Memphis City Council (joint ordinance, posted by the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement)Checked November 6, 2026
- New Codes Effective January 1, 2022Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 6, 2026
- 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section FeesMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementPublished 2022Checked November 8, 2026
- Homeowner's Affidavit for Building PermitsMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementChecked November 7, 2026