Building Safety in Shelby County, TN (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Green Building Code
Unincorporated Shelby County's version of a green building code is the 2021 ICC International Energy Conservation Code, adopted by reference and amended locally under Joint Ordinance No. 524. Known jointly as the Memphis and Shelby County Energy Conservation Code, it sets the energy-efficiency standards builders must meet.
Shelby County Green Building Energy Code
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code § 6-48
(a) Adopted. The 2021 edition of the ICC International Energy Conservation Code is hereby adopted by reference, a copy of said code being on file in the Minutes Offices of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and of the Memphis Council. (b) Local amendments. The 2021 edition of the ICC International Energy Conservation Code is amended by adoption of the local amendments attached to Joint Or...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Every Shelby County short-term rental permit holder must install approved carbon monoxide detectors on every habitable floor of the unit, per Code § 8-810(c). The requirement rides alongside the county's building and fire safety code compliance duty and is checked before the county clerk's office issues or renews a rental permit.
Shelby County STR Carbon Monoxide Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code § 8-810(c)
The permit holder 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
Unincorporated Shelby County requires building permits under the 2021 ICC International Building Code, which the county has adopted by reference along with the code's Appendix A on building permits, plans and inspection fees. The Memphis and Shelby County Building Code, not a separate local ordinance, sets what triggers a permit.
Building Permits Required in Shelby County
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code § 6-42
That the following appendices of the 2021 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: Appendix A--Building Permit, Plans and Inspection Fees; Appendix C--Group U Agriculture Building; Appendix D--Fire District; Appendix F--Rodent proofing and Appendix H--Signs.
Electrical Permits
Unincorporated Shelby County requires electrical work to follow the 2020 National Electric Code, adopted by reference and packaged with a locally drafted Appendix A covering electrical permits and inspection fees. Together these form the 2021 Memphis and Shelby County Electrical Code, effective December 31, 2021.
Electrical Permits in Shelby County
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code §§ 6-73, 6-75
The 2020 edition of the National Electric Code (NEC) is hereby adopted by reference as if set out in its entirety herein. ... The 2020 edition of the National Electric Code (NEC) and those local amendments attached to Joint Ord. No. 528, Exh. B, including certain amendments to the NEC and locally drafted Appendix A--Electrical Permit and Inspection Fees, as herein set forth in exhibit A hereto,...
Plumbing Permits
Unincorporated Shelby County plumbing work runs under the 2021 ICC International Plumbing Code, adopted by reference and paired with a locally re-drafted Appendix A that sets plumbing permit and inspection fees. Local amendments from Ordinance No. 526 round out the 2021 Memphis and Shelby County Plumbing Code.
Plumbing Permits in Shelby County
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code §§ 6-115, 6-117
The 2021 Edition of the ICC International Plumbing Code is hereby adopted, a copy of said code being on file in the Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council Minutes Office. ... Appendix A - Plumbing Permit and Inspection Fees, as locally re-drafted, and as attached to Exhibit A hereto, Appendix B - Rates of Rainfall for Various Cities, Appendix C - Structural Safety, Appendix D - Degre...
Building Inspections
Unincorporated Shelby County enforces its building regulations through county-created offices of building official, electrical inspector and plumbing inspector, and the county can contract with Memphis, Bartlett, Collierville or other city inspectors to serve as ex officio county inspectors. Permit and inspection fees run through the Joint Memphis and Shelby County Construction Codes Permit and Inspection Fee Ordinance.
Shelby County Building Inspector Offices
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code § 6-2
For the purpose of enforcement of regulations under this article, the county is hereby empowered to create the offices of building officials, electrical inspector and plumbing inspector; to provide for the employment of such inspectors, and to fix their duties and compensation, and to contract with incorporated cities and towns for the services of such city inspectors having special skill in th...
Building Safety by City in Shelby County
1 cities in Shelby County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Shelby County ordinances
See every category we cover for Shelby County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Shelby County Ordinance Hub →