Building permits in Bartlett — a major Memphis suburb in Shelby County — are issued by the City of Bartlett Code Enforcement Department, at 6382 Stage Road. Like Germantown, Collierville and Millington, Bartlett does not use the Develop901 portal that serves Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County — applications go directly to the city.
This Bartlett building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how the Code Enforcement Department works, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Bartlett project starts clean.
Bartlett runs its own permitting — not through Develop901. Develop901 is the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development portal for Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County. Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville and Millington each run their own permitting. Apply directly with Bartlett's Code Enforcement Department.
What requires a building permit in Bartlett?
Under the International Codes as adopted by the City of Bartlett, a permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of most structures. Common triggers include:
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- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, doors, and exterior changes
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Decks, pools, fences, accessory structures
- Change of occupancy or use
- Demolition
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Like-for-like fixture swaps such as faucets (Bartlett requires permits for water heaters, HVAC, electrical, siding and window replacement)
- Minor repairs not affecting structural or safety systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Note that exemption from a building permit does not exempt a project from zoning requirements — confirm edge cases with the building department.
Who handles permitting in Bartlett?
Permitting, plan review, and inspections — building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical — run through the City of Bartlett's Code Enforcement Department. Bartlett is not on the Develop901 platform used by Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Code Enforcement Department — City of Bartlett, 6382 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN 38134; Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm |
| Phone | (901) 385-6425 |
| Apply | Directly with Bartlett, online through the city’s iWorQ permit portal (not Develop901) |
| Covers | City of Bartlett only |
| Shelby County | Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County use the Develop901 portal; Germantown, Collierville and Millington run their own |
| Code cycle | 2021 IBC, 2018 IRC, 2021 IPC, IMC and IECC, 2017 NEC (city’s Official Building Code page) |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Apply directly with Bartlett's Code Enforcement Department. Do not submit through Develop901 — Bartlett runs its own permitting process, with applications available online through the city’s iWorQ permit portal. Contact the department at (901) 385-6425 for current forms and requirements.
Bartlett building permit cost
Bartlett building permit fees are set by the city fee schedule and based on project type and valuation. Separate trade permit fees apply. Confirm current amounts with the Code Enforcement Department.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Per city fee schedule (type & valuation) |
| Plan review fee | Included in permit calculation |
| Trade permits (E / P / M / Gas) | Separate fee per trade |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Required before legal occupancy |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties + enforcement action |
Want a precise number for a specific Bartlett project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Bartlett trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits are filed separately through Bartlett's Code Enforcement Department. Each requires a Tennessee-licensed trade contractor.
Electrical permits
Required for service upgrades, panel work, solar PV, and most wiring — performed by a TN-licensed electrical contractor.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heaters, and gas piping — performed by a TN-licensed plumber.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration — performed by a TN-licensed mechanical contractor.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, decks, pools, fences, accessory structures, and demolition are permitted separately through Bartlett's own department.
Verify your contractor's license. Tennessee requires a state contractor license issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (under the Department of Commerce & Insurance / TDCI) for projects valued at $25,000 or more. Separate trade licenses are required for electrical (CE), plumbing, and HVAC/mechanical work. Homeowners may pull their own permit for personal-use construction once every 24 months under TCA § 62-6-103 — but the project must still meet all code and inspection requirements. Verify licensure at tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →How to get a building permit in Bartlett
Confirm jurisdiction
Verify the parcel is within Bartlett city limits (not Memphis, Collierville, or unincorporated Shelby County).
Contact Building & Codes
Call (901) 385-6425 or visit the department at 6382 Stage Road (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) for current application forms and requirements.
Submit application & plans
Deliver the completed application with construction plans and required documentation directly to Bartlett.
Plan review & corrections
Code Enforcement reviews against adopted codes. Address comments and resubmit as needed.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay calculated fees. Post the permit card on site.
Schedule inspections through CO
Request inspections through the department. Clear all checkpoints for your Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Bartlett
Schedule inspections through Bartlett's Code Enforcement Department. Typical checkpoints include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit and approved plans on site. A final inspection and CO are required before occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Bartlett permitting resources
- 🏛️ City of Bartlett official site
- 🏢 Develop901 (for other Shelby County areas)
- 🪪 TN Board for Licensing Contractors
- 📘 TN State Fire Marshal
Simplify Bartlett permitting with Alliance Permitting
Bartlett's independent permitting process — separate from the Develop901 portal used by Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County — rewards applicants who confirm jurisdiction upfront and apply through the correct office. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Bartlett — our permit expediting services in Tennessee pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Code Enforcement Department process, so your Bartlett submissions move faster.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Bartlett because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Bartlett's Code Enforcement Department and the distinction from the Develop901 portal.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Complete submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Bartlett permits while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
More Tennessee permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the City of Bartlett Code Enforcement Department before filing. This is not legal advice.