Building Safety in Memphis, TN (2026)
8 verified building safety rules for Memphis, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
Memphis Code Section 14-16-47 makes the owner or lessee of every elevator, escalator, dumbwaiter and amusement device responsible for keeping it in safe operating condition and for all required testing. Section 14-16-28 backs that duty with a fixed testing schedule: passenger elevators and escalators every six months, freight elevators every twelve, with safety devices and governors checked annually.
Memphis Elevator Maintenance & Inspection Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code § 14-16-47
A. Every elevator, escalator, dumbwaiter and amusement device shall be maintained by the owner or lessee in a safe operating condition so that it conforms to the provisions of this chapter and to rules and regulations adopted by the city council. B. The owner or his or her duly appointed agent shall be responsible for the safe operation and proper maintenance of an elevator, dumbwaiter or escal...
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Memphis's Fire Code amendments require monitored sprinkler systems to report through an approved central station under NFPA 72, extend floor control valve requirements from high-rise buildings to all buildings two or more stories, and set a $100 permit fee for a new sprinkler system installation through the Fire Prevention Bureau.
Memphis Sprinkler Monitoring & Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 9-36-4 (2021 IFC Amendments §§ 903.4.1.1, 903.4.3)
903.4.1.1 Where monitoring of an automatic sprinkler system is required in this jurisdiction, it shall be by an approved central station and shall be in accordance with the requirements of Fire Alarm Systems for Central Station Service as described in NFPA 72. The method of retransmission of signals shall be approved by the Fire Communications Bureau. 903.4.3 is amended to delete the words "hig...
Childcare Center Rules
Every Memphis day care center caring for five or more children for pay must register with the office of planning and development and win joint approval from the building official, fire marshal and health department before opening, under City Code Chapter 9-28. Centers must operate on the ground floor, give each child 30 square feet of open space, and post inspection records.
Memphis Day Care Center Safety Rules
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances §§ 9-28-5, 9-28-6, 9-28-7
Sec. 9-28-5. First-story operation required—Prohibited equipment. Day care centers shall operate on the first story only. There shall be no measures or devices that prohibit quick egress by all children in case of emergency. Each day care center shall contain a minimum open floor space of 30 square feet per child, excluding offices, halls, kitchens and bathrooms. Sec. 9-28-6. Age limit. Day car...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Every short-term rental in Memphis must have carbon monoxide detectors on each habitable floor and UL 217 smoke alarms in every sleeping area, per City Code § 5-44-6(B)-(C). The Division of Public Works can factor missing detectors into permit compliance and revocation.
Memphis Short-Term Rental CO Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 5-44-6(C)
C.The short term rental property owner shall meet all applicable requirements of the state and local building and fire safety codes, including, but not limited to, having approved carbon monoxide detectors meeting applicable state law standards installed on every habitable floor.
Building Permits
Memphis builds every construction and permit requirement on the 2015 ICC International Building Code, adopted by reference at Memphis Code Section 14-6-1. The city also locally adopted the Code's Appendix A, covering building permit, plans and inspection fees, plus appendices on agricultural buildings, the fire district, rodent-proofing and signs, while leaving out every other IBC appendix.
Memphis Building Code Adoption & Permits
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code § 14-6-1
The 2015 Edition of the ICC International Building Code is hereby adopted by reference, a copy of said code being on file in the Office of Council Records of the Memphis City Council. The following Appendices of the 2015 Edition of the ICC International Building Code, or as locally drafted, are also adopted, but that any appendix not listed in this [section] is specifically not adopted: Appendi...
Electrical Permits
Memphis regulates electrical work under the 2018 Memphis and Shelby County Electrical Code, which adopts the 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC) by reference along with locally drafted amendments and Appendix A, the electrical permit and inspection fee schedule, per Code Sec. 14-5-1. Ordinance No. 5714, passed December 18, 2018, put the current edition in force.
Memphis Electrical Code & NEC Adoption
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 14-5-1
The 2014 Edition of the National Electric Code (NEC) is hereby adopted by reference as if set out in its entirety herein, a copy of said code being on file in the Office of Council Records of the Memphis City Council. The local amendments, including certain amendments to the provision of the NEC and locally drafted Appendix A - Electrical Permit and Inspection Fees, as set forth in Exhibit A [o...
Plumbing Permits
Memphis Code Section 14-14-1 adopts the 2015 ICC International Plumbing Code by reference, together with local amendments, as the 2018 Memphis and Shelby County Plumbing Code. The city separately adopted a locally drafted Appendix A covering plumbing permit and inspection fees, plus Appendix H on cross-connection and backflow prevention, while leaving out every other IPC appendix except B, C, D and E.
Memphis Plumbing Code Adoption & Permits
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code § 14-14-1
The 2015 Edition of the International Code Council (ICC) International Plumbing Code is hereby adopted, a copy of said code being on file in the Office of Council Records of the Memphis City Council. The local amendments to the sections of the 2015 Edition of the ICC International Plumbing Code noted in the attached Exhibit A [on file with the city] are also adopted and together these provision...
Building Inspections
Memphis requires every boiler and unfired pressure vessel in the city to be inspected on a fixed schedule under Code Section 14-12-16: power boilers annually inside and out, low-pressure heating boilers and non-corroding unfired pressure vessels every two years, with a two-month grace period. Inspections are performed by the city's chief inspector, a deputy inspector or a licensed special inspector, and each passing unit receives a certificate valid up to 14 months.
Memphis Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspections
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code § 14-12-16
Each boiler and unfired pressure vessel used or proposed to be used within this city, except boilers or unfired pressure vessels specifically exempted therefrom, shall be thoroughly inspected as to their construction, installation and condition as follows: 1. Power boilers, meaning boilers operating at steam or vapor pressures in excess of 15 pounds per square inch gauge, shall be inspected ann...
Looking for Shelby County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Memphis city rules.
Building Safety in Shelby County →