Deck Construction Permits in Memphis

Local Rule

City of Memphis and Shelby County Construction Code Enforcement

Memphis follows the general Tennessee pattern: any new deck attached to the home needs a permit regardless of size, and any detached deck more than 30 inches above grade at any point within 36 inches of the edge also needs one; a small freestanding deck under 200 square feet and 30 inches may be exempt. A real regional detail: West Tennessee near Memphis has a notably shallower frost line than the rest of the state, which reduces footing depth requirements compared to East Tennessee's mountain areas. Guardrails must resist a 200 lb concentrated force and use #2 grade lumber or better, with ground-contact wood preservative-treated per IRC Section R317.

Source · Verified September 2026

Memphis Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Shelby County

Memphis's own rule is shown above (Depends on project scope). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Shelby County Construction Code Enforcement

A building permit is required for decks in Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County regardless of size, consistent with Shelby County's stricter model for accessory structures generally (the county also requires a permit for storage sheds of any size, unlike most other Tennessee jurisdictions). Construction Code Enforcement covers Memphis, Arlington, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington, and unincorporated Shelby County.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Memphis with a confirmed deck construction rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a deck construction project:

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