Memphis, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Construction Enforcement states it handles projects in Memphis, Arlington, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington, and unincorporated Shelby County. Memphis zoning and land use are also administered through Develop901.

Department

Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement, within the Division of Planning and Development

Address

6465 Mullins Station Rd, Memphis, TN 38134

Phone

(901) 222-8300

Email

Use the Develop901 contact form for Construction Enforcement at https://www.develop901.com/contact , project-specific contacts are listed in the OPD customer service counter contact list at https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30322/OPD-Customer-Service-Counter-Contact-List

Website

https://www.develop901.com/construction-enforcement

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

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.

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.

Source: Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement, within the Division of Planning and Development

General Requirements

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Consult current county schedule

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

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are valuation-based under the adopted local amendments; reroofing, parking lot, and other specialized fees are separately listed.

Payment note

ACA tutorials show online checkout and payment through the portal before issuance.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• 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

Inspections

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 inspection 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.

Additional Resources

• 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.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Project Locator FAQ
• Quick Reference Guides
• Avoiding Delays with Certificates of Occupancy
• License lookup guide: Tennessee Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Tennessee Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Tennessee hub: Tennessee Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Shelby County