ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Memphis, TN
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Memphis.
Building an accessory dwelling unit, such as a garage apartment or casita, needs a building permit. It is a new habitable dwelling unit, which is new residential construction, and nothing on the exempt list covers it. The small-accessory-structure exemption is capped at a one-story detached building of 200 square feet or less, and it does not apply to a livable unit with its own kitchen and bath. Expect separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits too, and check the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code for zoning rules on whether and where an ADU is allowed.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Building an accessory dwelling unit, such as a garage apa… |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.1/R105.2 (a new dwelling unit is not exempt); adopted via Sec. 14-11-1 |
| Based on | 2015 ICC IRC as adopted by Memphis (Memphis and Shelby County Residential Code) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Memphis 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
Memphis'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | — | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit, such as a garage apa… |
| Germantown | 11 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Jackson | 74 mi | Yes | building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| Clarksville | 178 mi | Yes | A new accessory dwelling unit is new residential construc… |
| Franklin | 184 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Brentwood | 190 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Tennessee city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Memphis
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Memphis 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.