Building permits in Memphis — Tennessee's second-largest city and the Shelby County seat — are issued by Construction Code Enforcement (CCE), a division within the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. Applications are submitted through the Develop901 citizen portal.
This Memphis building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how CCE works, the Develop901 portal, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Memphis project starts clean.
Memphis and Shelby County share the Develop901 portal. The portal serves Memphis, Arlington, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington, and unincorporated Shelby County. Bartlett and Collierville have their own permitting offices — apply directly with those municipalities.
What requires a building permit in Memphis?
Under the International Building Codes as adopted by Memphis, a permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of most structures. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, doors, and exterior changes
- Electrical service upgrades and most wiring work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, pools, fences, accessory structures, and signs
- Change of occupancy or use
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- One-story detached accessory structure ≤ 200 sq ft
- Replacement of existing fixtures (like-for-like swaps)
- Minor repairs that don't affect 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 Memphis?
Permitting, plan review, and inspections run through Construction Code Enforcement (CCE), part of the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. Memphis uses the Develop901 citizen portal (Accela-based) for applications, plan submissions, fee payments, and inspection scheduling.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Memphis & Shelby County Division of Planning & Development — 125 N. Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 |
| Phone | (901) 636-6600 |
| Online portal | Develop901 Citizen Portal (Accela-based) |
| Covers | Memphis, Arlington, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington, unincorporated Shelby County |
| Not covered | Bartlett, Collierville (apply with those cities directly) |
| Code cycle | 2018 I-Codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFC, IECC) |
Apply through the Develop901 portal. Register for an account, submit your building permit application, upload plans, pay fees, and schedule inspections — all through the Accela-based Develop901 platform at develop901.com.
Memphis building permit cost
Memphis building permit fees are valuation-based, with separate charges for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits. Plan review for commercial projects typically costs $2,000–$7,000 in Metro fees depending on scope. Always confirm current fee amounts with CCE.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Valuation-based (per Memphis fee schedule) |
| Plan review fee | Included in permit calculation |
| Trade permits (E / P / M / Gas) | Separate fee per trade |
| Sign permit | Separate application and fee |
| Fire permit | Required for certain occupancy types |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + enforcement action |
Want a precise number for a specific Memphis project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Memphis trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and fire permits are filed separately through Develop901. 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 (CE classification).
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, signs, and accessory structures are permitted separately. Projects in local historic districts (South Main, Beale Street, Victorian Village) require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Memphis Landmarks Commission, adding 30–60 days.
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.
How to get a building permit in Memphis
Register in Develop901
Create an account in the Develop901 portal and register as a contractor with your TN state license.
Submit permit application
Complete the building permit application in Develop901, specifying project type, scope, and valuation.
Upload plans & documents
Upload construction plans, site plans, energy compliance documents, and any required historic-district applications.
Plan review & corrections
CCE reviews plans against adopted codes. Standard review takes 7–20 business days. Address correction comments and resubmit.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay calculated fees through the portal. Post the permit card on site before starting work.
Schedule inspections through CO
Request inspections through Develop901. Clear all required checkpoints — footing, framing, rough-in, final — for your Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Memphis
Schedule inspections through the Develop901 portal. Typical residential checkpoints include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit and approved plans on site. Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Memphis permitting resources
- 🏛️ Develop901 — Memphis & Shelby County portal
- 📋 City of Memphis official site
- 🏢 Shelby County Government
- 🪪 TN Board for Licensing Contractors
- 📘 TN State Fire Marshal — codes
- 🗺️ Memphis Landmarks Commission (historic districts)
Simplify Memphis permitting with Alliance Permitting
Memphis's Develop901 portal, CCE review process, historic-district overlay requirements, and stormwater management in the Wolf River watershed reward applicants who assemble complete packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Memphis — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Construction Code Enforcement process, so your Memphis submissions move faster.
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Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Memphis because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Construction Code Enforcement, the Develop901 portal, and Memphis's historic-district and flood-zone overlays.
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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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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 Memphis Construction Code Enforcement before filing. This is not legal advice.