city · Shelby County · Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee Building Permits & Zoning

Regulatory data for residential homebuilders and land developers

5.5

Friction Index Moderate Regulatory Environment

Permit Timeline

40 days

5-6 weeks

Total Fees Est.

$9,650

per residential lot

Impact Fees

$7,200

per lot

Permit Fee

$1,800

residential

Plan Review Fee

$650

per application

Delay Risk

28%

probability of delay

Zoning & Requirements

Overlay Districts

Permitted By-Right Uses

Permitting Requirements

✓ Building permit application
✓ Site plan with grading
✓ Stormwater management plan
✓ Erosion & sediment control plan
✓ Land Use Control Board review (rezonings)
✓ Fire department review
✓ Utility permits (MLGW)
✓ Tree preservation (if in conservation zone)
✓ Historic review (if in designated district)
✓ Traffic impact study (25+ lots)

Process Notes

Staffing & Operations

Memphis & Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement. Online permitting available. Staff shortages can create delays during peak season. Pre-development meetings recommended for larger projects.

Recent Changes

March 2025: Memphis 3.0 comprehensive plan updates affecting infill development density bonuses. September 2025: Updated floodplain management ordinance for Wolf River tributary areas.

Rezone Probability

68%

Contact Information

Permit Office Phone

(901) 636-6700

Official Website

https://www.memphisandshelbycountyoce.org/

Get Full Access to All 305+ Jurisdictions

Unlimited searches, parcel lookups, permit alerts, and friction scores for your entire pipeline. Plans from $49/mo.

Start Free Trial → View Full Pricing

Compare Memphis With Other Tennessee Cities

ZoneIQ tracks 305+ jurisdictions across 10 states — compare permit timelines, fees, and friction scores side by side.

Browse All Tennessee Jurisdictions Compare Side by Side