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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Memphis
Permits are required when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install or alter regulated systems. Memphis also requires local land use approvals where applicable.
Playhouses, treehouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet
Retaining walls 3 feet high or less unless supporting surcharge or impounding listed liquids
Free-standing walls 4 feet high or less if not supporting surcharge
Private one- and two-family sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not part of an accessible route
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
Swings and other playground equipment
Detached single-family reroofing projects where no decking, structural members, or equipment supports are modified
- Exempt Playhouses, treehouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet
- Exempt Retaining walls 3 feet high or less unless supporting surcharge or impounding listed liquids
- Exempt Free-standing walls 4 feet high or less if not supporting surcharge
- Exempt Private one- and two-family sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not part of an accessible route
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment
- Exempt Detached single-family reroofing projects where no decking, structural members, or equipment supports are modified
Required documents
- Application form
- Plans or drawings as required
- Valuation
- Contractor information
- Trade-specific or project-specific supporting documents
- Construction documents and required special inspection statements when applicable
- Building code
- Develop901 announced enforcement of the 2021 I-Codes and 2020 National Electrical Code beginning January 1, 2022, with a six-month grace period for older work.
- Permit validity
- Permit applications are deemed abandoned after 180 days from filing if not pursued. Issued permits generally expire if work does not commence within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days.
- Owner-builder
- Public materials confirm homeowner work is addressed in Construction Enforcement FAQs, but the clearest published owner exception located is for owner-supervised residential demolition of an owner building up to two stories and 5,000 square feet per floor by affidavit.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must be properly licensed by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors when required, register with Shelby County Construction Code Enforcement, provide the state license certificate, qualifying agent affidavit letter, and Memphis and Shelby County business license.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general posted issuance SLA found; the office hours published for Construction Enforcement are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- 01 Confirm whether zoning or other prereview applies; Develop901's Project Locator FAQ describes the sequence as land use and zoning first, then building permits, then inspections.
- 02 Create an ACA account and start a Construction Enforcement building application using the Develop901/Accela portal.
- 03 Upload the required plans and supporting documents; the county quick reference guides include building application instructions and general submittal documents.
- 04 Pay the plan review fee at application; plan review fees are billed up front by valuation tier.
- 05 Address reviewer comments and obtain permit issuance after fees are paid.
- 06 Request inspections after issuance using the instructions tied to the permit number in the issuance email.
- 07 Complete finals and closeout; for occupancy, make sure the permit address and suite information are correct to avoid CO delays.
Typical processing time: No general posted issuance SLA found; the office hours published for Construction Enforcement are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Memphis building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Consult current county schedule
02
Plan check fee
$80 for $1 to $25,000 valuation; $160 for $25,001 to $50,000; $325 for $50,001 to $100,000; $650 for $100,001 to $200,000
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit fees are valuation-based under the adopted local amendments; reroofing, parking lot, and other specialized fees are separately listed.
ACA tutorials show online checkout and payment through the portal before issuance.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Permit-specific instructions sent by email upon issuance (email)
- Develop901 portal (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: Depends on scope, but Develop901 and code forms reference staged inspections through plan review, rough inspections, finals, and certificate of occupancy closeout where applicable.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Memphis permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Memphis, TN? ▸
Permits are required when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install or alter regulated systems. Memphis also requires local land use approvals where applicable.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Memphis, TN? ▸
Building permit fees in Memphis, TN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Consult current county schedule. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are valuation-based under the adopted local amendments; reroofing, parking lot, and other specialized fees are separately listed.. Plan check fee: $80 for $1 to $25,000 valuation; $160 for $25,001 to $50,000; $325 for $50,001 to $100,000; $650 for $100,001 to $200,000.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Memphis, TN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Memphis, TN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether zoning or other prereview applies; Develop901's Project Locator FAQ describes the sequence as land use and zoning first, then building permits, then inspections. 2. Create an ACA account and start a Construction Enforcement building application using the Develop901/Accela portal. 3. Upload the required plans and supporting documents; the county quick reference guides include building application instructions and general submittal documents. 4. Pay the plan review fee at application; plan review fees are billed up front by valuation tier. 5. Address reviewer comments and obtain permit issuance after fees are paid. 6. Request inspections after issuance using the instructions tied to the permit number in the issuance email. 7. Complete finals and closeout; for occupancy, make sure the permit address and suite information are correct to avoid CO delays.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Memphis, TN? ▸
Building permit processing times in Memphis, TN typically run No general posted issuance SLA found; the office hours published for Construction Enforcement are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Memphis, TN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Memphis, TN. The following work is generally exempt: Playhouses, treehouses, and similar uses not over 120 square feet; Retaining walls 3 feet high or less unless supporting surcharge or impounding listed liquids; Free-standing walls 4 feet high or less if not supporting surcharge; Private one- and two-family sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Above-ground prefabricated pools accessory to Group R-3 occupancies that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons; Swings and other playground equipment; Detached single-family reroofing projects where no decking, structural members, or equipment supports are modified. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Memphis, TN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Memphis, TN via: Permit-specific instructions sent by email upon issuance, Develop901 portal.
last verified April 2026
source Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement, within the Division of Planning and Development ↗
entry id permits/tennessee/shelby/memphis
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement, within the Division of Planning and Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.