Deck Permit in Memphis, Tennessee
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
For a deck over 200 square feet, more than 30 inches above grade at any point, attached to the dwelling, or serving a required exit door
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
A deck escapes the permit requirement in Memphis only if it meets all four conditions in the locally amended 2021 International Residential Code: 200 square feet or less, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the exit door required by Section R311.4. Fail any one of those and a building permit is required from the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement. The fee schedule carries a flat $50.00 line for construction, repair or alteration to decks, spas and similar structures. Decks are exempt from the residential plan review fee.
Typical threshold: 200 square feet of deck area, taken with a 30 inch height above grade at any point, no attachment to the dwelling and no service to the exit door required by Section R311.4.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
When a permit is usually needed
For a deck over 200 square feet, more than 30 inches above grade at any point, attached to the dwelling, or serving a required exit door
What a deck permit costs in Memphis
How Memphis compares in Tennessee
No Tennessee jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Memphisthis page | It depends | CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR/ALTERATION TO DECKS, SPAS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES $50.00... |
| Nashville | Permit required | Billed as a residential building permit at $5 per $1,000 of total valuation... |
| Williamson County | Permit required | Deck permits follow the county's general building permit valuation table: no... |
Closest deck permit thresholds outside Tennessee
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Memphis's 200 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, uncovered decks with area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 30 inches above grade and not attached to the dwelling and not providing required egress and not in floodplain are exempt
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, deck floor area; the exemption also requires the deck to be less than 30 inches off the ground and located in a buildable area of the lot
- Boston, Massachusetts, detached decks not more than 30 inches above grade and under 200 sq ft that do not serve an exit door may be exempt
- Contra Costa County, California, area of a deck that is also no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, and does not serve a code-required exit door
How to apply in Memphis
A residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs.
What most deck permit applications include:
- A permit application identifying the work, the deck's size (square footage), and whether electrical work such as lights or receptacles is included, submitted for plan review before construction begins (IRC R106).
- A scaled site plan (for example 1/4 inch to 1 foot) showing the new deck's location relative to the house, its overall length and width, and dimensioned distances from the deck to all property lines and other structures so required setbacks can be verified (IRC R106.1.1).
- A deck plan drawn to scale showing overall dimensions and the framing layout: joist size, spacing, span, and species; beam size and span; post size and height; and footing or pier size and depth (IRC R507.4 posts, R507.5 beams, R507.6 joists, R507.3 footings).
- A section or side elevation with connection details showing the ledger attachment to the house band joist with flashing, the fastener or bolt schedule, joist hangers, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the required lateral load connection (IRC R507.9 ledger connection, R507.9.2 lateral connection, R507.2.4 flashing).
- Footing sizing derived from tributary area, the soil bearing value, and design loads per IRC Table R507.3.1, with footings shown bearing on undisturbed soil at the frost depth required by the jurisdiction (IRC R507.3).
- Details for the guards required where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above grade, and for the stairs and handrails, showing guard height and opening limits, stair riser and tread dimensions, and handrail location (IRC R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
- For designs that fall outside the prescriptive R507 tables (for example multi-story or stacked decks, or a ledger attached to a cantilever), engineered and stamped structural plans are submitted in place of the prescriptive details (IRC R507.1 and R301).
General submittal guidance from IRC R106.1.1 (construction documents) and IRC R507 (exterior decks), 2021 IRC. Source. Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, Office of Construction Code Enforcement (Construction Enforcement) sets the exact checklist for Memphis.
Where to apply in Memphis:
Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, Office of Construction Code Enforcement (Construction Enforcement)
- 6465 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134
- Phone: 901-222-8300
- Email: develop901@memphistn.gov
Inspections and closing out your permit
Deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
- Footing or pier inspection: after the holes are dug and any forms or reinforcing are set but before concrete is placed, the inspector checks footing depth and diameter, a flat undisturbed bearing surface, and that the holes are free of water (IRC R109.1.1 foundation inspection; R507.3 footings).
- Framing inspection: after the deck is framed but before the decking conceals it, the inspector verifies the ledger attachment and its flashing, the fastener and bolt schedule, joist hangers and metal connectors, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the lateral load connection; call it before decking is installed (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R507.9 ledger and flashing).
- Final inspection: after the deck is complete and before it is used, the inspector confirms guard height and opening limits (a 4 inch sphere must not pass, 4 3/8 inch at stairs), stair riser and tread dimensions, handrail height and graspability where there are 4 or more risers, stair landings, and required stair lighting (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Memphis permit portal or by phone at 901-222-8300.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109 (inspections: R109.1.1 footing before concrete, R109.1.4 frame, R109.1.6 final), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Deck Permit checklist for Memphis
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: 200 square feet of deck area, taken with a 30 inch height above grade at any point, no attachment to the dwelling and no service to the exit door required by Section R311.4. Usually needed: For a deck over 200 square feet, more than 30 inches above grade at any point, attached to the dwelling, or serving a required exit door.
- Budget the fee. CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR/ALTERATION TO DECKS, SPAS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES $50.00, plus the APP. FEE for ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS, ACCESSORY of $25.00, per the 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section, Residential Fees. Construction Enforcement states the one and two family plan review fee does not apply to decks. All fees exclude an administrative charge of $4.00 and a residential surcharge of $1.00, so $5.00 is added to the residential total, per the 2022 Fee Schedule. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. A residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs. Start at the Memphis permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, Office of Construction Code Enforcement (Construction Enforcement). Phone: 901-222-8300. Address: 6465 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134.
- Plan for inspections. Deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a deck permit in Memphis?
- A deck escapes the permit requirement in Memphis only if it meets all four conditions in the locally amended 2021 International Residential Code: 200 square feet or less, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the exit door required by Section R311.4. Fail any one of those and a building permit is required from the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement. The fee schedule carries a flat $50.00 line for construction, repair or alteration to decks, spas and similar structures. Decks are exempt from the residential plan review fee. 200 square feet of deck area, taken with a 30 inch height above grade at any point, no attachment to the dwelling and no service to the exit door required by Section R311.4. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a deck permit cost in Memphis?
- CONSTRUCTION/REPAIR/ALTERATION TO DECKS, SPAS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES $50.00, plus the APP. FEE for ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS, ACCESSORY of $25.00, per the 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section, Residential Fees. Construction Enforcement states the one and two family plan review fee does not apply to decks. All fees exclude an administrative charge of $4.00 and a residential surcharge of $1.00, so $5.00 is added to the residential total, per the 2022 Fee Schedule. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a deck permit in Memphis?
- You can apply through the Memphis permit portal or contact the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, Office of Construction Code Enforcement (Construction Enforcement) directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a deck permit themselves in Memphis?
- Under Tennessee law (T.C.A. 62-6-103; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-23-.01(1)(i), -.05(3), -.05(4)(b)2.; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-02-01-.05(2)(a)): Tennessee lets a homeowner act as their own builder. Under T.C.A. 62-6-103, as the State Fire Marshal's Office explains it, an owner may construct a single residence once every two years for personal use without a contractor's license, so long as the home is not for resale, lease, or rent, and anyone the homeowner hires whose portion of the work is $25,000 or more must be a licensed contractor. In state permit areas the owner pulls a property owner's permit, limited by rule to one per 24 month period, and the work is subject to the same inspections and fees as a contractor's job; proof of licensure is waived at permit purchase only when the owner personally performs the work. For electrical work, a homeowner may wire their own residence only after obtaining a residential property owner's electrical permit, which covers only the applicant and immediate family, does not authorize help from anyone unlicensed, and is limited to one per 12 month period unless the owner lost the home to fire or windstorm. Confirm how Memphis applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Memphis
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | E-0 fee issuance cost per permit $20.00, E3.1 minimum fee $15.00, E-6.2 EXISTING... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | Not specified | RESIDENTIAL FENCE PERMIT 400 LINEAR FT OR LESS $25.00 and RESIDENTIAL FENCE PERMIT 401... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | M-0 fee issuance cost per permit $20.00, M-3.1 fee for the first $1,000 valuation $15.00... |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | whether the work only stops a leak or clears a stoppage without replacing, rearranging or removing pipe, valve or fixture components | Permit issuance $20.00, plus $4.00 for issuing each permit (data processing) and a $1.00... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | prefabricated swimming pools, measured by the depth of the pool | POOL OR RETAINING WALL $5.00/1,000 (NO MAX) with a $70.00 minimum, per the 2022 Fee... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | whether decking, structural members or equipment supports are modified | No residential roofing line item. |
| Shed Permit | Permit required | Not specified | DETATCHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS 400 SQ. |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No solar line item. |
Deck Permit in other Tennessee localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Memphis documents; the office above sets the local rules.
Verified by a person against the sources above on , not confirmed with Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, Office of Construction Code Enforcement (Construction Enforcement). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Deck Permit requirements across Tennessee localities
Permit office
Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development, Office of Construction Code Enforcement (Construction Enforcement)
901-222-8300Permit portalTennessee rule changes
- Metro Nashville posts a current codes fee schedule, replacing the 2010 sheet
BL2022-1215 (Metro Fee Schedule Legislation) ·
Compare
Deck Permit across Tennessee