Permit Required? Required
Typical Fee Range $200–$800 Fees vary based on project value and trade requirements.
Fee Method Valuation-based
Apply Online Apply at Shelby County Department of Construction Code Enforcement →

What's Required in Memphis

  • Permit required for projects exceeding $1,000 or structural changes.
  • Plumbing permit required for changing fixture locations.
  • Electrical permit mandatory for new lighting or outlets.
  • Exhaust fan ventilation to the exterior is required.
  • Waterproofing systems in showers must be inspected.
  • Contractor must be licensed if project exceeds homeowner scope.

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Bathroom in Memphis

It depends on what you’re changing. A cosmetic bathroom refresh in Memphis — new paint, a vanity or toilet swapped in the same spot, re-tiling, or replacing a faucet — usually doesn’t need a building permit. You cross into permit territory once you move or add plumbing or electrical, relocate fixtures, change the layout, remove or move a wall, or add square footage. Because remodels often bundle plumbing and electrical work, many projects need those trade permits even when the building permit is borderline. Check the specifics with the Shelby County Department of Construction Code Enforcement; the requirements above outline what Memphis treats as permit-worthy.

What Bathroom Work Needs a Permit in Memphis

In Memphis, the trigger is usually moving systems, not refreshing surfaces. Work that typically requires a permit: relocating or adding plumbing (moving a toilet, sink, or shower drain), adding a shower or tub where there wasn’t one, new or moved electrical circuits and outlets, removing or altering a wall, converting a half bath to a full bath, or turning another room into a bathroom. Like-for-like swaps in the same location — same toilet spot, same tub footprint — usually don’t. Even removing a tub can need a plumbing permit if the drain is capped or moved, so confirm with the Shelby County Department of Construction Code Enforcement before you start.

How to Get a Bathroom Remodel Permit in Memphis

1

Step 1: Plan Layout

Draft a plan showing fixture and electrical placement.

2

Step 2: Online Filing

Submit through the official city permit portal.

3

Step 3: Pay Fees

Based on valuation and trade fixture count.

4

Step 4: Rough Inspections

Verify plumbing and wiring before wall closure.

5

Step 5: Final Audit

Final check of fixtures and code compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not for replacing fixtures in the same location.
Permits are typically not required for very minor cosmetic projects.
Additional fees and reviews apply if the home is in a historic district.
Only if you’re changing more than surfaces. Cosmetic work in Memphis — paint, re-tiling, swapping a vanity or toilet in the same spot — usually needs no permit, but moving or adding plumbing or electrical, relocating fixtures, or changing the layout does. Confirm the scope with the Shelby County Department of Construction Code Enforcement.
Yes — relocating a toilet, sink, or shower drain, or adding a new fixture, generally requires a plumbing permit in Memphis, even inside a cosmetic-looking remodel. Replacing a fixture in the same spot usually doesn’t. Check with the Shelby County Department of Construction Code Enforcement.