Plumbing Permit in Memphis, Tennessee (2026)
Starting plumbing work without a permit can lead to fines, failed inspections, and costly rework, halting your restaurant's opening. You need a Plumbing Permit from the Memphis & Shelby County Division of Construction Code Enforcement (also called a mechanical permit application). Key facts:
- 25 fields to complete — ApronPrep auto-fills 21
- No standard filing fee — fees are calculated based on the specific scope of work and must be confirmed with the city.
- Timeline varies — depends on permit complexity, plan review requirements, and inspector availability.
Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 21 of 25 fields.
Analyzed from Plumbing Permit
84% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Plumbing Permit
A Plumbing Permit is required in Memphis because it is the city's primary enforcement tool for the 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with Tennessee amendments, which is adopted by state law and locally administered by the Memphis & Shelby County Division of Construction Code Enforcement. This legal mandate is detailed in the Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 120 and enforced through the Memphis Code of Ordinances, Title 9 (Building Regulations). The permit ensures that all plumbing installations—from new grease interceptors to bathroom remodels—meet minimum standards for safety, sanitation, and water conservation before any water is turned on or walls are closed up. Without this permit, your project has no legal standing, and the work is considered unlawful from the start.
Proceeding without this permit or failing an inspection triggers immediate and costly consequences. Based on ApronPrep's analysis of Memphis enforcement actions, common penalties include:
- Stop-Work Orders: The Building Official can post a notice on your property, halting all construction. This freezes your timeline and locks out contractors until the violation is corrected and fines are paid.
- Monetary Fines: The city can levy daily penalties for each day the unpermitted work exists or continues. While amounts vary by case, fines often exceed the original permit cost by multiple times.
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO) Denial (for new builds): The city will not issue a final CO if any plumbing work lacks proper permits and final inspections, meaning you cannot legally open for business.
- Required Demolition: Inspectors can order you to open up walls or ceilings to expose non-compliant work for inspection, and may require you to remove and redo the installation entirely at your own expense.
- Lease & Insurance Complications: Unpermitted work can void lease compliance clauses and invalidate property insurance claims related to water damage, leaving you fully liable for any failures.
Legal code: State building code (locally administered), local building ordinances, state accessibility code
Recent update: As of 2026, Memphis now requires all plumbing permit applications for commercial projects to be submitted through the city's online ePermits portal, eliminating paper submissions for most applicants.
Who Needs a Plumbing Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required; Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-108 requires a permit for all plumbing work in a commercial kitchen. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required; plumbing permit needed for bar sink installation, glass-washer hookups, and any new restroom fixtures. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Not required for the vehicle; plumbing is part of the Tennessee Department of Health mobile food unit permit and vehicle inspection. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required; a permit is needed for installing the commercial-grade espresso machine water line and three-compartment sink. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (25 Fields)
21 of 25 auto-filledBusiness Legal Name
textEnter the exact legal name of your business entity as it appears on your filed Articles of Incorporation, LLC registration, or DBA certificate with Shelby County.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using the restaurant's 'doing business as' (DBA) name instead of the registered legal entity name causes rejection because it fails to match official state/county records.
Federal EIN
textEnter your 9-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS, formatted as XX-XXXXXXX, which is required for tax and business registration verification.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a Social Security Number (SSN) for a corporate entity or using an incorrect format (e.g., no dashes) triggers a review hold for identity verification.
Restaurant Physical Address
textEnter the complete street address, including suite or unit number, of the restaurant where the plumbing work will be performed, as it appears on your lease or property deed.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing a mailing address (e.g., P.O. Box) or the corporate office address instead of the specific job-site location leads to rejection because inspections are scheduled by physical location.
Owner/Authorized Representative Name
textEnter the full legal name of the business owner, LLC member, or corporate officer who is legally authorized to sign contracts and permits for this project.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing a project manager or contractor's name without written proof of authorization (like a notarized letter) results in rejection for lack of signing authority.
Owner Phone Number
textEnter a direct, working phone number for the authorized representative listed above, formatted as (XXX) XXX-XXXX, which inspectors will use for scheduling and urgent issues.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing a disconnected number, a generic office line with no direct contact, or an international number without a US country code causes inspection delays and administrative holds.
Owner Email Address
textEnter a valid, regularly monitored email address for the authorized representative to receive permit status updates, inspection results, and official correspondence from Memphis Code Enforcement.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using an incorrect or typo-filled email address (e.g., 'gmail.con') means you miss critical notifications, which can lead to permit expiration or failed inspections due to no-show.
Proof of Ownership/Authorization
textDescribe the attached document that proves your right to perform work at this address, such as a 'Recorded Warranty Deed,' 'Lease Agreement,' or 'Authorization Letter from Property Owner.'
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting an unsigned lease, an expired deed, or a generic business license instead of property-specific ownership proof is the #1 cause of immediate application rejection.
Project Scope Description
textProvide a detailed, plain-English description of all plumbing work, including specific fixtures (e.g., 'install 2 new commercial pre-rinse sinks'), pipe routing, and connections to existing sewer/water lines.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using vague terms like 'plumbing remodel' or 'fix pipes' without specifics leads to rejection for insufficient detail, as reviewers cannot determine required inspections or code compliance.
Number of Kitchen Sinks
textEnter the total count of all kitchen sinks involved in the project, including new installations, replacements, and existing sinks being modified, as this affects fixture unit calculations for drainage.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting existing sinks that will remain connected to the modified plumbing system causes the drainage load calculation to be incorrect, leading to a rejection for under-sized pipe plans.
Kitchen Sink Specifications
textList the make, model, and material (e.g., 'Elkay EZH2O stainless steel, 3-compartment') for each kitchen sink, confirming it meets NSF/ANSI 61 standards for commercial food service.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing residential-grade sink models not certified for commercial use results in rejection, as Memphis Plumbing Code § 6.04 requires all food-service fixtures to be NSF-approved.
ApronPrep auto-fills 21 of 25 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Plumbing Permit Mistakes
1. Mistake Title: Mismatched Project Valuation
Entering the cost of only the plumbing fixtures or labor, not the total project value including all materials and installation. Memphis Inspections uses this figure to calculate the permit fee, so an incorrect valuation triggers a correction request and resets your place in the review queue, adding 7-10 business days to your timeline. Avoid this by calculating the total fair market value of all plumbing work, including pipe, fittings, fixtures, water heater, and labor, then enter that single, comprehensive amount.
2. Mistake Title: Incorrect Contractor License Details
Failing to provide the exact, current license number for the Master Plumber of Record or leaving the license expiration date blank. The permit system cross-references the state licensing board daily; mismatched or expired data causes an automatic administrative hold. To avoid rejection, verify the contractor's active Tennessee State Board of Licensing Contractors (TSBLIC) Master Plumber license number and expiration date directly from the state's online verification tool before you submit.
3. Mistake Title: Vague or Incomplete Scope of Work Description
Writing 'plumbing remodel' or 'fix bathroom' instead of a specific, itemized description like 'Replace 40-gallon electric water heater, install two new lavatory faucets, and re-route 3/4" PEX supply line to kitchen island.' Inspectors need precise details to determine required inspections; vague scopes lead to review questions and delays. Prevent this by listing every fixture, appliance, and pipe run being installed, relocated, or replaced.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Plumbing Permit
ApronPrep auto-fills 21 of 25 fields from one compliance interview.
No credit card required
Plumbing Permit by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | Contact authority for current fees - Knoxville.gov does not list standard plumbing permit fees in available documentation | Estimated 5-10 business days for plan review; final timeline depends on plan completeness and resubmission requirements. Schedule inspections upon permit approval. |
| Memphis | Contact authority for current fees - fees vary based on scope of plumbing work | Contact authority for current review timelines - varies by permit complexity and inspector availability |
| Nashville | Contact authority for current fees | 7-14 business days for permit issuance after submission; inspection scheduling dependent on department workload |
Government Filing Fees
Contact authority for current fees - fees vary based on scope of plumbing work
Timeline: Varies
Step 1: Create an online account on the City of Memphis Permit Registration and Administration Site (permitspayments.memphistn.gov)
Visit the city's permit portal and register for an individual or contractor account using your legal business name and tax ID. You’ll need a valid email and phone number for verification. The account setup takes about 10 minutes but can be delayed if your business information doesn’t match state or county records.
Step 2: Prepare plumbing work documentation including kitchen sink specifications and grease trap design plans that comply with state building code and local ordinances
Gather detailed plumbing diagrams showing fixture locations, pipe sizes, and drainage routes. Your grease trap plan must include capacity calculations based on your kitchen’s anticipated flow rate, per Tennessee Plumbing Code § 1003.2 and Memphis amendments. Missing or non-compliant diagrams are the top reason for application rejection and resubmission.
Step 3: Submit plumbing permit application online through the registration portal with all required documentation
Complete the electronic application form, uploading your prepared plans, a site plan showing property lines, and the contractor’s state license information. Double-check that all uploaded files are legible and in PDF format. Incomplete submissions are typically rejected within 1-2 business days, restarting the clock.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local building department in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Tennessee.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification
state
Annual Report Filing
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing times vary significantly based on the project's scope and completeness of the application. Per the Memphis & Shelby County Division of Construction Code Enforcement, the city does not publish a guaranteed timeline. Complex projects, or those missing required documents like a Building Permit approval, can take several weeks. Contact the Code Enforcement office directly to confirm current review timelines.
According to the Memphis & Shelby County Division of Construction Code Enforcement fee schedule, there is a $0–$0 government filing fee for the permit application itself. However, fees are charged based on the valuation and scope of the plumbing work, which is assessed after plan review. Always verify the final fee with the department, as this cost structure is distinct from flat-fee licenses like a City Business License/Registration.
No. Plumbing permits in Memphis are issued for a specific project at a specific address and cannot be transferred. If you are moving your business or starting work at a new location, you must apply for a new permit. This is standard for site-specific approvals, similar to how you must obtain a new Certificate of Occupancy for each new premises.
Plumbing permits are not renewable annual licenses; they are one-time approvals for a specific construction project. The permit is valid until the final inspection is passed and the work is closed out by the inspector. For ongoing operational requirements, you will need separate, renewable licenses such as your annual City Business License.
A city inspector visits your site to verify the installed plumbing matches the approved plans and complies with the Memphis Plumbing Code. They will check pipe sizing, materials, venting, traps, and proper connections to water and sewer lines. All work must be accessible and ready for testing (e.g., water pressure test) before the inspector arrives to avoid a failed inspection and re-inspection fees.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Tennessee specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 25 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State building code (locally administered), local building ordinances, state accessibility code
- Knoxville — Building Department / Inspectional Services
- Memphis — Building Department / Inspectional Services
- Nashville — Building Department / Inspectional Services
This Form Is One of 60+ Requirements.
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