Site Plan for Permit in Memphis, TN

Example of a Memphis residential site plan showing the property boundaries, existing house, driveway, setback measurements, accessory improvements, and surrounding lot layout.

Planning a deck, detached garage, shed, home addition, carport, swimming pool, fence, driveway, patio cover, or other residential project in Memphis? A clear site plan may be one of the most important documents in your permit application.

A site plan for permit in Memphis, TN is an overhead drawing showing how the existing property and proposed project fit together. It normally identifies the property lines, existing buildings, proposed construction, setback measurements, streets, alleys, driveways, easements, utilities, drainage features, and other improvements that can affect approval.

Memphis and Shelby County Construction Enforcement reviews plans, issues construction permits, and inspects new buildings and building components. Planning and zoning requirements are administered through the joint Division of Planning and Development, while the Unified Development Code serves as the zoning code and subdivision regulations for Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County.^[1][2]

This guide explains what a Memphis permit site plan should show, how zoning and setbacks affect project placement, when additional engineering or historic review may apply, and what homeowners should collect before submitting their plans.

What is a Memphis permit site plan?

A residential site plan, sometimes called a plot plan, is a scaled drawing of the property as viewed from above.

Its main purpose is to show:

• What currently exists on the property
• What the homeowner proposes to build, alter, remove, or replace
• Where the proposed work will be located
• How far the project will be from each property line
• Whether streets, easements, utilities, drainage, or other restrictions affect the site

The site plan answers the question, “Where will the project be built?”

Other permit drawings answer the question, “How will it be built?”

• Floor plan: Shows rooms, walls, windows, doors, stairs, fixtures, and interior dimensions.
• Foundation plan: Shows footings, slabs, piers, foundation walls, reinforcement, and structural dimensions.
• Framing plan: Shows beams, posts, joists, headers, rafters, trusses, and structural spans.
• Exterior elevations: Show the building height, roof, doors, windows, exterior materials, and surrounding grade.
• Construction details: Show how foundations, walls, decks, stairs, roofs, and other components will be assembled.
• Grading or drainage plan: Shows elevations, contours, swales, runoff paths, cut, fill, and stormwater improvements where required.

A site plan does not replace architectural, structural, engineering, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or drainage drawings when those documents are required.

For a broader introduction, read our

site plan for permit guide
.

Who reviews residential permits in Memphis?

Construction Enforcement is part of the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. The department reviews plans, issues construction permits, and performs inspections for projects within Memphis and several other Shelby County jurisdictions.^[1]

A residential project may require review by more than one department:

• Construction Enforcement: Reviews the building and construction documents.
• Land Use and Development Services: Reviews zoning, setbacks, subdivision regulations, overlays, and related land-use matters.
• City Engineering: May review driveways, curb cuts, public improvements, storm drains, sanitary sewers, and work affecting public infrastructure.
• Memphis Landmarks Commission: Reviews applicable exterior work within local historic districts.
• Trade inspectors: Review electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and related permitted work.

Because several reviews may be involved, the site plan should contain enough information for each reviewer to understand the property and proposed project.

When may a Memphis project need a site plan?

The exact documents depend on the proposed work. A site plan is commonly useful or required when a project changes the location, footprint, access, drainage, or exterior arrangement of a property.

Common residential projects include:

• New houses
• Home additions
• Detached garages
• Carports
• Sheds and workshops
• Decks and porches
• Patio covers and pergolas
• Swimming pools and spas
• Fences and walls
• Retaining walls
• Driveways and parking pads
• Accessory dwelling or residential structures
• Storm shelters
• Building relocation
• Demolition affecting the lot layout

The City’s Develop901 Citizen Portal supports applications for planning and zoning approvals, engineering permits, construction permits, fire permits, signs, licenses, and contractor registration. It also allows users to search permit activity and arrange construction inspections.^[3]

What should a Memphis permit site plan show?

The required level of detail varies by project. A practical residential site plan should show the entire property—not only the proposed structure.

1. Property address and parcel information

Identify the complete street address of the project.

Where available, also include:

• Subdivision name
• Lot number
• Block number
• Parcel identification number
• Recorded plat information
• Legal property description

The street address identifies the property for everyday use. The legal description connects the drawing to the officially recorded parcel.

2. Complete property boundaries

Show every legal property line, including:

• Front property line
• Rear property line
• Left-side property line
• Right-side property line
• Curved or angled boundaries
• Corner-lot street frontages
• Alley boundary
• Any irregular parcel segments

Do not automatically assume that the legal boundary follows:

• An existing fence
• A hedge or tree line
• A driveway edge
• A sidewalk
• A curb
• The edge of street pavement
• A retaining wall
• A utility pole

These visible features may be located inside or outside the legal property line.

A drafting site plan can use existing surveys, plats, property records, measurements, and photographs. It does not independently establish an uncertain or disputed legal boundary. A Tennessee-licensed land surveyor may be needed where the property corners or boundary position cannot be reliably determined.

3. Lot dimensions

Show the available dimensions of each property boundary.

Lot dimensions help reviewers evaluate:

• Required front, rear, and side yards
• Available building area
• Accessory-structure placement
• Corner-lot conditions
• Driveway access
• Lot coverage
• Easements
• Building separation

Irregular lots may require several individual dimensions to define the parcel accurately.

4. Existing house footprint

Show and label the complete exterior footprint of the existing house.

Include attached features that affect the site layout, such as:

• Attached garage
• Covered front or rear porch
• Existing additions
• Bay windows
• Exterior stairs
• Decks and landings
• Roofed patios
• Other building projections

A rough rectangle may not be enough where the house has several wings, projections, porches, or additions close to the proposed construction.

5. Existing accessory structures

Show all significant structures and improvements already located on the property.

These may include:

• Detached garage
• Shed or workshop
• Carport
• Deck and stairs
• Pergola or gazebo
• Swimming pool or spa
• Patio
• Storm shelter
• Retaining wall
• Existing fence
• Mechanical or equipment pad

Leaving existing improvements off the plan can make the proposed structure appear to fit when the real property layout does not support it.

6. Proposed construction

Clearly distinguish proposed construction from existing improvements.

Show:

• Complete proposed footprint
• Exterior length and width
• Irregular building sections
• Roof outline or overhangs
• Steps and landings
• Deck or patio extensions
• Garage-door orientation
• Pool or mechanical equipment pads
• Proposed driveway or paving
• Structures that will be removed

Use clear labels such as:

• Existing House
• Proposed Addition
• New Detached Garage
• Proposed Deck
• Existing Shed to Remain
• Structure to Be Removed

7. Setback measurements

Show the actual distance from the proposed work to every relevant property line.

Depending on the project location, include:

• Front setback
• Rear setback
• Left-side setback
• Right-side setback
• Street-side setback on a corner lot
• Distance to an alley
• Distance to a recorded building line

The measurement should be taken to the closest applicable part of the improvement. A roof eave, stair, landing, equipment pad, gutter, or other projection may sit closer to the boundary than the main building wall.

Read our

setbacks and zoning guide

for more information about locating improvements on a residential lot.

8. Distance between buildings

Show the distance between the proposed structure and nearby buildings.

This may include the distance to:

• The existing house
• A detached garage
• A shed
• A carport
• A deck
• A gazebo or pergola
• A pool house
• Another accessory structure

Building separation can affect fire protection, roof projections, wall openings, access, drainage, and whether a project is treated as attached or detached.

9. Streets, alleys, and rights-of-way

Label every adjoining street, alley, and public right-of-way.

The site plan may need to distinguish between:

• Legal property line
• Public right-of-way line
• Street centerline
• Curb
• Street pavement
• Public sidewalk
• Grass or utility strip
• Driveway approach

The property line is not always located at the curb or sidewalk. This distinction is particularly important for fences, driveways, carports, front additions, retaining walls, and corner lots.

10. Driveways, parking, and vehicle access

Show existing and proposed vehicle areas related to the project.

Include:

• Driveway width
• Driveway length
• Parking-pad dimensions
• Garage apron
• Curb cut
• Sidewalk crossing
• Street or alley connection
• Garage-door orientation
• Existing and proposed paving

A detached garage or carport should not be shown without a practical vehicle-access route.

The City Engineer’s Office reviews and approves developer-designed public improvements and is responsible for infrastructure that includes streets, storm drains, sanitary sewers, traffic controls, and related facilities.^[7]

A driveway project affecting a curb, sidewalk, apron, or public right-of-way may therefore require separate engineering review or permitting.

11. Easements

Show all known and recorded easements affecting the property.

Common residential easements include:

• Utility easement
• Sanitary-sewer easement
• Storm-sewer easement
• Drainage easement
• Waterline easement
• Access easement
• Shared-driveway easement
• Pipeline easement

An easement may appear to be unused yard space while another party retains a legal right to install, access, repair, or replace infrastructure there.

A garage, shed, addition, pool, deck footing, retaining wall, or other permanent improvement should not be placed inside an easement without confirming that construction is permitted.

12. Utilities and mechanical equipment

Show visible or known utility features near the proposed work.

Examples include:

• Water meter
• Sewer cleanout
• Gas meter
• Electrical meter
• Utility pole
• Transformer
• Overhead electrical lines
• Fire hydrant
• Storm drain or catch basin
• Air-conditioning equipment
• Pool pump and heater

Utilities can affect foundation excavation, post placement, driveway location, construction access, and required service or maintenance clearances.

13. Fences, gates, and walls

Show existing and proposed fences, gates, masonry walls, and retaining walls near the project.

These features may affect:

• Construction access
• Property-line verification
• Driveway visibility
• Pool-barrier compliance
• Drainage
• Maintenance space
• Grade changes
• Historic review

A fence should not automatically be treated as the legal property boundary.

14. Drainage and grading features

Show known drainage and grading features where they affect the proposed project.

These may include:

• General direction of surface runoff
• Drainage swales
• Ditches
• Storm drains and catch basins
• Drainage easements
• Retaining walls
• Low areas
• Downspout discharge
• Existing and proposed grade changes
• Floodplain or floodway boundaries

A new building, driveway, patio, or other hard surface should not block an established drainage route or direct concentrated runoff toward neighbouring property.

The Memphis and Shelby County Storm Water Management Manual establishes policies intended to protect drainage systems, control development in flood-prone areas, reduce erosion, and limit adverse runoff impacts from new development and redevelopment.^[9]

15. North arrow, scale, and drawing notes

A clear site plan should include:

• North arrow
• Graphic or written drawing scale
• Property address
• Drawing date
• Existing and proposed labels
• Readable setback dimensions
• A legend where multiple line types are used
• Relevant project notes

The drawing should remain readable after it is converted to PDF, uploaded through the permit portal, viewed on a screen, or printed by a reviewer.

Memphis zoning and the Unified Development Code

The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code is the official zoning code and subdivision regulation for the City of Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County.^[2]

The UDC regulates matters such as:

• Permitted land uses
• Residential zoning districts
• Building setbacks
• Building height
• Accessory structures
• Garage and carport placement
• Parking and driveways
• Lot coverage
• Fences and walls
• Subdivision standards
• Floodplain and overlay districts
• Administrative and public-hearing approvals

Before choosing the final project location, confirm:

• The property’s zoning district
• Applicable front, rear, and side setbacks
• Whether the lot is on a corner
• Whether an alley affects access or placement
• Accessory-building size and height standards
• Maximum lot coverage
• Parking and driveway requirements
• Applicable overlay districts
• Recorded subdivision conditions
• Whether a variance or other zoning approval is needed

The Division’s official UDC page also identifies a 2025–2026 code-update process. Because amendments may change wording or standards, applicants should confirm the current rule rather than relying on an old plan or an archived code summary.

How to check zoning and map information

Develop901 provides official map and atlas resources for:

• Zoning districts
• Overlay and special-purpose districts
• Historic districts
• Arterial and collector roads
• Sanitary-sewer information
• FEMA flood insurance rate maps

These resources are useful during early planning, but map layers should not be used as a substitute for a boundary survey when the legal property line must be established.^[4]

Site plans for common Memphis residential projects

Home additions

A home-addition site plan should show the complete existing house and clearly identify the proposed extension.

Include:

• Existing house footprint
• Proposed addition dimensions
• Combined building footprint
• Setbacks to every relevant property line
• Existing garage, shed, deck, patio, and other structures
• Utilities and mechanical equipment
• Construction access
• Easements
• Existing and proposed drainage conditions

The permit package may also require floor plans, foundation plans, framing information, exterior elevations, wall sections, energy-code information, and separate trade permits.

Detached garages

A detached-garage site plan should show:

• Garage length and width
• Garage-door orientation
• Distance to each property line
• Distance to the house and other structures
• Roof overhangs
• Driveway or alley access
• Existing sheds and accessory structures
• Easements and utilities
• Drainage direction

Separate foundation, floor, roof, framing, elevation, structural, electrical, and mechanical documents may also be required.

Carports

Carports can create permit issues when they are placed in a required yard, connected to the house without proper structural details, or positioned without clear vehicle access.

A carport site plan should show:

• Roof and post footprint
• Overall length and width
• Distance to property lines
• Distance to the house
• Driveway connection
• Post locations where relevant
• Roof drainage direction
• Utilities and easements

Garage and carport placement is specifically addressed by the UDC, so the applicable zoning provision should be checked before selecting the location.

Sheds and workshops

A shed site plan should show:

• Shed footprint
• Roof outline
• Overall height where required
• Distance to each property line
• Distance to the house and garage
• Other accessory buildings
• Door location
• Easements and utilities
• Drainage features

Even where a small structure receives simplified building review, zoning, setback, easement, floodplain, and property-placement requirements can still apply.

Decks and porches

A deck or porch site plan should show the complete platform, stairs, landings, and relationship to the house.

Include:

• Deck or porch length and width
• Height above grade
• Stair direction
• Bottom landing
• Distance to property lines
• Distance to garages, sheds, and other structures
• Existing patios and walkways
• Roof outline where the project is covered

Stairs can extend considerably closer to the property line than the main deck platform. They should not be omitted from the site plan.

Swimming pools and spas

A pool or spa site plan may need to show:

• Pool or spa footprint
• Distance to property lines
• Existing house and accessory structures
• Pool deck or patio
• Safety barrier
• Gate locations
• Pool equipment
• Utilities and electrical service
• Easements
• Drainage conditions

The pool, surrounding patio, barrier, electrical work, plumbing, heater, and equipment may involve separate permit or inspection requirements.

Fences and walls

A fence or wall site plan should show:

• Complete proposed route
• Existing and proposed fence sections
• Fence or wall height
• Material
• Gate locations
• Property lines
• Driveway and sidewalk
• Street or alley
• Easements and utilities
• Corner-lot visibility conditions

Fence height and location may vary according to the yard, street frontage, zoning district, pool-barrier use, and overlay requirements.

Driveways and parking pads

A driveway site plan should distinguish between the private driveway and any apron, curb cut, sidewalk crossing, or work within the public right-of-way.

Show:

• Existing and proposed paving
• Driveway width
• Distance to side property lines
• Parking-pad dimensions
• Garage or carport connection
• Street and sidewalk
• Curb or driveway approach
• Nearby utilities
• Storm drains and catch basins
• Drainage direction

City Engineering reviews public improvements and roadway access. A project affecting the curb, sidewalk, apron, storm drainage, or public right-of-way may require additional approval.^[7]

Retaining walls

A retaining-wall site plan should show:

• Wall location
• Wall length
• Wall height
• Distance to property lines
• Existing and proposed grade
• Drainage behind and around the wall
• Nearby buildings
• Streets and sidewalks
• Easements and utilities

Professional engineering may be required depending on the wall height, slope, soil, surcharge, nearby structures, and drainage conditions.

Historic districts and exterior work

The Memphis Landmarks Commission protects local historic, architectural, and cultural resources.

The Commission reviews zoning requests and work visible from the street within applicable historic districts, including:

• New construction
• Demolition
• Relocation of buildings
• Home additions
• Exterior alterations
• Garages and accessory structures
• Porches, windows, doors, and other visible changes

A Certificate of Appropriateness may therefore be required before the normal construction permit can move forward.^[5]

Historic-review materials may require photographs, exterior elevations, material information, and a site plan showing how the proposed work relates to the house, street, and surrounding district.

Floodplain and drainage considerations

The Develop901 map resources include FEMA flood insurance rate information, and the UDC includes floodplain and overlay regulations.^[4]

A property affected by a floodplain or floodway may require additional review for:

• Building location
• Foundation design
• Finished-floor elevation
• Placement of fill
• Grading or excavation
• Driveways and paving
• Mechanical and electrical equipment
• Retaining walls
• Elevation certificates

The site plan may need to show floodplain boundaries, existing and proposed elevations, drainage paths, and other information prepared or verified by a licensed surveyor or engineer.

The Storm Water Management Manual also supports protection of flood-prone areas, preservation of drainage systems, erosion control, and reduction of off-site runoff impacts.^[9]

Current residential construction codes

Memphis and Shelby County Construction Enforcement announced enforcement of the 2021 International Codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code beginning January 1, 2022.^[8]

These include code frameworks covering:

• Residential construction
• Building construction
• Existing buildings
• Energy conservation
• Mechanical systems
• Fuel gas
• Plumbing
• Electrical installations

The site plan itself does not prove compliance with all construction-code requirements. Separate structural, trade, energy, safety, and inspection requirements may apply.

Can an aerial image be used as a site plan?

An aerial or GIS image can be useful as a starting reference, but it may not contain enough detail for permit approval.

Aerial imagery may not accurately show:

• Legal property boundaries
• Recorded easements
• Exact building dimensions
• Roof overhangs
• Setback measurements
• Recent construction
• Underground utilities
• Grade and drainage information

A permit-ready drawing should include reliable property information, clear dimensions, labels, a north arrow, and a consistent scale.

Read our guide explaining

what a plot plan includes
.

Is a site plan the same as a survey?

No.

A permit site plan illustrates the property and proposed project using available surveys, plats, public records, measurements, photographs, and customer-provided information.

A boundary survey is prepared by a Tennessee-licensed land surveyor and establishes or verifies the legal position of the property boundaries.

A survey may be needed when:

• The property corners cannot be found
• The proposed project is close to a boundary
• A neighbour disputes the property line
• Recorded dimensions conflict with existing improvements
• An easement location is unclear
• The property has irregular boundaries
• The City requests surveyed or elevation information

A drafting service should not be used to resolve an uncertain or disputed legal boundary.

How to submit a Memphis permit application

Memphis provides the Develop901 Citizen Portal for planning, zoning, engineering, construction, fire, sign, and related applications.^[3]

A typical residential process includes:

1. Confirm the complete project scope.
2. Check whether building and trade permits are required.
3. Identify the property zoning and any overlay districts.
4. Review the applicable setbacks and accessory-structure rules.
5. Check recorded plats, easements, floodplain information, and historic status.
6. Collect the survey, property records, measurements, photographs, and project details.
7. Prepare the site plan and required construction drawings.
8. Create or use a Develop901 Citizen Portal account.
9. Submit the application and upload the plan documents.
10. Respond to review comments and upload revised sheets where necessary.
11. Obtain the approved permit before beginning construction.
12. Schedule the required inspections.

The Develop901 Project Locator and permit-search tools can also be used to review permit and planning activity associated with properties throughout Memphis and Shelby County.

Common Memphis site-plan mistakes

Permit review may be delayed when the site plan is incomplete, unclear, or based on incorrect assumptions.

• Showing only the proposed project instead of the complete property
• Leaving one or more property lines off the drawing
• Failing to provide lot dimensions
• Measuring from a fence instead of the legal property boundary
• Providing only one setback measurement
• Leaving the street, alley, or right-of-way off the plan
• Failing to show recorded easements
• Placing a building inside a sewer, utility, or drainage easement
• Omitting the existing house or garage
• Leaving sheds, decks, pools, patios, or fences off the plan
• Failing to distinguish existing and proposed construction
• Ignoring roof overhangs, stairs, landings, or equipment pads
• Failing to show distances between buildings
• Showing a garage or carport without driveway access
• Leaving utilities off a driveway or excavation plan
• Blocking a swale, ditch, storm drain, or drainage easement
• Using setbacks copied from another property
• Failing to check the zoning and overlay districts
• Ignoring floodplain or historic-district conditions
• Submitting an undimensioned satellite image
• Leaving off the north arrow or drawing scale
• Using labels that become unreadable in the final PDF

Use our

site plan checklist for permit approval

to organize the information before drafting begins.

What to provide when ordering a Memphis site plan

Providing complete information at the beginning can reduce revisions and permit delays.

Useful documents and details include:

• Complete property address
• Legal description or parcel information
• Existing survey or recorded plat
• Project type
• Proposed project length and width
• Preferred construction location
• Measurements to every property line
• Existing house dimensions
• Dimensions of garages, sheds, decks, patios, pools, and other improvements
• Driveway and parking information
• Street or alley location
• Known rights-of-way
• Known easements
• Utility locations
• Known drainage features
• Contours or elevations where available
• Floodplain information
• Historic-district information
• Photographs of the property
• Manufacturer or contractor drawings
• Any comments already received from permit reviewers

Homeowners elsewhere in the state can also review our

Tennessee site plan services page
.

Frequently asked questions

Does Memphis require a site plan for a building permit?

A site plan is commonly needed when a project changes the location, footprint, access, exterior arrangement, or drainage conditions of a property. The exact documents depend on the project and the reviews required by Construction Enforcement, zoning, engineering, or other departments.

What should a Memphis site plan show?

A clear plan should show the complete property, lot dimensions, property lines, existing and proposed structures, setback measurements, streets, alleys, driveways, easements, utilities, drainage features, north arrow, and drawing scale.

Are setbacks the same for every Memphis property?

No. Setbacks can depend on the zoning district, lot dimensions, street orientation, project type, building height, recorded plat, overlay district, easements, and other property-specific conditions.

Can I use my fence as the property line?

No. A fence should not automatically be treated as the legal property boundary. A licensed land surveyor may be needed when the boundary position is uncertain.

Does a detached garage need a site plan?

A garage application generally needs a site plan showing the garage footprint, property-line setbacks, distance to the house, driveway or alley access, easements, utilities, and existing accessory structures.

Should the site plan show roof overhangs?

Yes, when an overhang or other projection affects the closest distance to a property line, easement, or nearby building.

Does a driveway require separate approval?

A project affecting a curb cut, driveway apron, sidewalk, storm drain, or public right-of-way may require City Engineering review or a separate engineering permit.

Does work in a historic district require extra approval?

Possibly. The Memphis Landmarks Commission reviews applicable new construction, demolition, relocation, and visible exterior alterations within local historic districts.

Does floodplain development require additional information?

Yes. A project affected by a floodplain or floodway may require elevations, floodplain boundaries, foundation information, grading details, an elevation certificate, and professional surveying or engineering.

Does a site plan replace a property survey?

No. A permit site plan shows the proposed project using available property information. A licensed land surveyor establishes or verifies legal property boundaries.

Does a site plan replace structural drawings?

No. The site plan shows where the project will be located. Separate plans may be required to explain the foundation, framing, roof, walls, stairs, electrical work, plumbing, drainage, and other construction details.

Can permit applications be submitted online?

Yes. Memphis uses the Develop901 Citizen Portal for construction, zoning, planning, engineering, fire, and related applications.

Order a site plan for permit in Memphis

A well-prepared site plan helps Memphis reviewers understand the complete property, existing structures, proposed project, property-line setbacks, access, easements, utilities, and drainage conditions.

USA Site Plans prepares residential permit drawings using available property records, customer-provided measurements, photographs, surveys, and proposed project information. Reasonable edits are included when a permit reviewer requests drawing changes within the original project scope.

Permit, zoning, setback, easement, drainage, floodplain, historic-preservation, driveway, utility, and construction requirements can change and may vary by property and project. Confirm current requirements with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development before construction. USA Site Plans does not replace a Tennessee-licensed land surveyor, architect, engineer, contractor, floodplain professional, or municipal authority where those services are required.