Water and Sewer Connection Permit in Memphis, Tennessee (2026)
Without a Water and Sewer Connection Permit from Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), you cannot legally connect your new restaurant to municipal water and sewer lines, halting all construction and risking fines. This utility permit, also called a public water/sewer tap permit, is required by the City of Memphis for any new commercial connection. Key facts:
- 30 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 25
- $150–$500 in estimated government filing fees
- Varies processing time, typically 4–8 weeks
Analyzed from Water and Sewer Connection Permit
83% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Water and Sewer Connection Permit
The Water and Sewer Connection Permit is a non-negotiable legal requirement for opening a food service establishment in Memphis. Your restaurant cannot be connected to the city's municipal systems without it. The permit is mandated by the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code (UDC), specifically under sections governing utility connections and infrastructure, and by local sewer use regulations that enforce federal standards like the Clean Water Act. The issuing authority is the City of Memphis Public Works Division, specifically its Engineering and Water Services Departments. This permit validates that your proposed plumbing and discharge systems meet city codes for pressure, capacity, and environmental protection.
Operating without this permit, or with an improper connection, triggers immediate and severe consequences. It's not just a fine—it's a direct threat to your ability to operate. Based on standard city enforcement protocols, common penalties include:
- Service Disconnection: The city can physically sever your water line, halting all operations immediately.
- Substantial Fines: Daily penalties accrue until compliance is achieved, often starting from the date of the violation discovery.
- Costly Required Remediation: You may be forced to excavate and re-install all non-compliant piping at your own expense.
- Permit Revocation: Your Certificate of Occupancy can be suspended, legally closing your business until the issue is resolved.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: As of 2026, Memphis Public Works has integrated its permit review with the Memphis-Shelby County Office of Planning and Development's online portal, requiring digital site plan submissions for most connection projects.
Who Needs a Water and Sewer Connection Permit?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required for all new construction and major renovations involving plumbing changes to connect to the City of Memphis public water and sewer system, per Memphis Code § 36-1-2. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required for new fixtures, bar sinks, and any new sanitary sewer connections for restrooms, as stated in Memphis Code § 36-1-2. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Typically exempt; you need a commercial water meter agreement and an approved sanitary dumping plan with a designated waste disposal facility, not a permanent connection permit. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required for installing commercial-grade espresso machines, three-compartment sinks, and restroom facilities that connect to city mains, per Memphis Plumbing Code. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (30 Fields)
25 of 30 auto-filledLegal Business Name
textEnter the exact legal name of your restaurant business as registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State, matching your Articles of Incorporation or LLC filing.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using the restaurant's trading name (e.g., 'Joe's Diner') instead of the registered legal entity name (e.g., 'J&J Memphis Foods, LLC'), which will cause the permit application to be rejected.
Applicant Full Name
textEnter the full name of the individual who has the legal authority to sign and submit this application, typically the business owner, a managing partner, or an authorized agent.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this blank or entering a business name; the permit application requires a natural person's name for the signature and liability section.
Contact Phone Number
textProvide a primary phone number where MLGW or city inspectors can reach you directly with questions about the application; include area code and format as (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing an incorrect or disconnected number; inspectors will call to schedule and verify, and failure to connect can delay the permit for weeks.
Contact Email Address
textProvide a valid, monitored business email address where official permit correspondence, approval notices, and invoices from MLGW will be sent.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a personal email that may be filtered to spam or entering an incorrect address, which can cause you to miss critical approval or fee notices.
Restaurant Property Address
textEnter the complete, physical street address where the restaurant is located, including street number, name, and suite/unit number if applicable; this must match the site plan submitted for inspection.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing a mailing address or P.O. Box, which is invalid for a utility connection; the address must be the exact service location for the water and sewer tap.
Property Ownership Status (Own/Lease)
textIndicate whether you own the property outright or are leasing it from another party; this determines which supporting property documents you must submit.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Own' when you are a tenant, which will trigger a request for a deed you don't have and delay the application for weeks.
Property Deed
textIf you own the property, enter the official recording information for the deed (e.g., Book/Page number from the Shelby County Register of Deeds) that proves ownership for the utility tap.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this blank if you selected 'Own' or entering an incorrect or outdated deed reference that MLGW cannot verify in public records.
Lease Agreement
textIf you are leasing the property, enter the relevant details from your executed commercial lease agreement (e.g., date, parties, property description) to demonstrate your right to obtain utility service.
COMMON MISTAKE: Failing to provide this when 'Lease' is selected, or providing an expired or unsigned lease that does not grant authority for utility connections.
Property Owner Name
textEnter the full legal name of the property owner(s) as listed on the deed; if you are the owner, enter your own name again for consistency.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the business name instead of the individual or entity listed on the property deed, which MLGW will cross-check and flag for correction.
Property Owner Contact Information
textProvide the current phone number and/or address for the property owner; MLGW uses this to verify ownership and may contact them to confirm the utility application.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing outdated or incorrect contact details for the owner, which can stall the application until correct information is submitted.
ApronPrep auto-fills 25 of 30 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Water and Sewer Connection Permit Mistakes
1. Incorrect Property or Tax Parcel ID
Entering an outdated or abbreviated parcel number instead of the full Shelby County Assessor's 19-digit ID. The MLGW application system cross-references this number. Using a shorthand like 'Lot 5, Block A' or an old number from a property listing causes an immediate application freeze. This mistake typically adds 3-5 business days to your timeline while you request the correct ID from the Shelby County Register of Deeds office or the Assessor's website.
2. Misrepresenting Scope of Work
Checking 'Repair' for what is legally a 'New Connection' or 'Relocation.' The City of Memphis Public Works Division defines a 'New Connection' as any service to a previously unconnected property or a change in the point of connection. Listing a major renovation as a simple repair often results in a rejected application and requires a new, more expensive permit fee. Be specific: if you're opening a new restaurant in a formerly retail space, it's almost certainly a new connection, even if pipes exist nearby.
3. Submitting Unsealed or Unapproved Site Plans
Attaching preliminary architect sketches instead of the final, wet-stamped site plan approved by the Memphis & Shelby County Office of Planning and Development (OPD). The MLGW Engineering department requires plans to show the exact location of the proposed tap relative to the public main, property lines, and existing structures. Sending unsealed drawings is the top cause for a 'Plans Review' rejection, adding 2-3 weeks for a professional redraw and resubmission.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Water and Sewer Connection Permit
ApronPrep auto-fills 25 of 30 fields from one compliance interview.
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Water and Sewer Connection Permit by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | Contact City of Knoxville Development Services for current Water and Sewer Connection Permit fees (fees vary by connection type and property size) | 7-14 business days for initial review; total process 2-4 weeks depending on completeness of submission and any required modifications |
| Memphis | Contact authority for current fees - typically ranges from $150-$500 depending on connection complexity | 4-8 weeks from complete application submission to permit issuance, plus 1-2 weeks for final inspection and connection authorization |
| Nashville | Contact authority for current fees - water connection and permit fees vary by project scope | 4-8 weeks from Pre-Con Meeting to permit issuance, depending on plan review requirements and any modifications needed |
Government Filing Fees
Contact authority for current fees - typically ranges from $150-$500 depending on connection complexity
Timeline: Varies
Step 1: Contact Memphis Water Services to request a Water and Sewer Connection Permit application
Initiate the process by calling the Memphis Water Services Department at (901) 636-7111 or visiting their office at 170 N. Main Street. Have your property address, Property Assessor's parcel number, and a general description of your restaurant project ready. The request typically takes 1-2 business days to process before the application packet is provided.
Step 2: Complete the permit application form with building address, property owner information, and intended use (restaurant)
Fill out the city-provided application form. Key fields include the full legal property owner name (matching deed records), the tenant/operator name (if a lease), and specific water fixture counts for the restaurant. ApronPrep auto-fills fields like business name and address from your master profile. This step takes most owners 30–60 minutes.
Step 3: Submit proof of property ownership or lease agreement
Attach a certified copy of the warranty deed or a fully executed lease agreement. The lease must explicitly grant the tenant permission to apply for utility permits and must be for a minimum term (often 3–5 years). Applications are rejected if the document is expired, not notarized, or does not name the current applicant.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local department of public works (dpw) 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 time varies significantly depending on project complexity and plan review needs. According to the Memphis Department of Public Works application guide, plan reviews for complex plumbing or site work add weeks, while simpler service line connections may be faster. Contact the Division of Water Services to confirm the current processing timeline for your specific project.
The government filing fees for this permit range from $150 to $500, as per the Memphis Department of Public Works fee schedule. The final cost depends on connection size, project scope, and whether it requires plan review. These fees are separate from connection fees charged by Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW). Not legal advice — verify with the Division of Water Services.
No, permits are site-specific and cannot be transferred. You must apply for a new permit for the new location, as this permit is tied to the physical property's infrastructure. Your new site will also likely require a new Building Permit for any related construction work. Always contact the issuing authority for site-specific requirements.
This permit does not require renewal; it is a one-time approval for constructing a specific connection. Once constructed and passed final inspection, the connection is permanent. Ongoing obligations include maintaining any required Backflow Prevention Device Certification and paying regular utility bills to MLGW.
A city inspector verifies installation complies with approved plans and Memphis plumbing codes. They check pipe materials, sizing, proper support, trench depth, and sealing to ensure no leaks or cross-connections. Failure requires re-inspection fees and delays. Schedule the inspection through the Department of Public Works after all work is complete and before backfilling trenches.
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 30 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
- Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
- Knoxville — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Nashville — Department of Public Works (DPW)
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