ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Germantown, TN
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Germantown.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | No size threshold in the code |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2; Sec. 6-1 |
| Based on | IRC 2018 (Tennessee statewide, R105.2 unamended); Joint Building Code of Memphis & Shelby County adopted (Sec. 6-1) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Germantown building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Germantown's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown | — | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Memphis | 11 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit, such as a garage apa… |
| Jackson | 66 mi | Yes | building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Clarksville | 171 mi | Yes | A new accessory dwelling unit is new residential construc… |
| Franklin | 175 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Brentwood | 181 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Tennessee city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Germantown
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Germantown can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.