Updated : 06/28/2024
Overview
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Residential Codes (IRC). Memphis, TN, Muni. Codes § 14-11-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IRC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments). Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Building Codes (IBC), including Appendices A, C, D, F, and H. Memphis, TN, Muni. Codes § 14-6-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IBC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments). Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Codes (IEBC), including Appendix A and B. Memphis, TN, Muni. Codes § 14-7 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IEBC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Helpful resources for Memphis, Tennessee include the following.
Residential Building Code
Tennessee adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control; however, local governments are free to make laws more strict (with some limitations).See PLRB,
Tennessee Building Codes for more information on state level codes.
Memphis adopted the 2021 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.
You can find a copy of the model code here.
You can find information about the adoption without amendment to the model code
here.
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2018 IRC with Tennessee amendments(Memphis, TN Sec. 14-11-1. - Residential code adopted by reference.)
...The 2015 Edition of the ICC International Residential 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 2015 Edition of the ICC International Residential Code is amended by adoption
of the local amendments attached to this Joint...
Drip Edge
Drip Edge: Yes
Ice Barrier
Are ice barriers required for Memphis ? No
Citation: Table R301.2(1)
Municipal Code
https://shelbycountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/33923/03-Residential-Code-final-approved#page=9Comments:
The adoption of the residential code included an amendment stating that ice barrier underlayment is not required at the eaves. The city of Shelby Table R301.2(1) is as follows:
Ground Snow Load: 10 Lb/ft²
Wind Speed (mph): 89 V ASD
Topographic Effects: No
Seismic Design Category: D
Damage from Weathering: Moderate
Damage from Frost Line Depth: 5″
Damage from Termite: Moderate to Heavy
Damage from Decay: Moderate to Severe
Winter Design Temp: 18 °F
Ice Barrier Underlayment: No
Flood Hazards: February 6, 2013
Air Freezing Index: 158
Mean Annual Temp: 61.8
Shelby County, TN, Climatic and Geographic Design. Accessed 6/17/24.
Government Officials
Last Name |
First Name |
Title |
E-mail |
Phone |
Note |
Young |
Paul |
Director Housing & Community Development |
|
901/636-7300 |
|
Anderson |
Rita |
Acting Building Official |
|
(901) 222-8300 |
|
Comments
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Residential Codes (IRC). Memphis, TN, Muni. Codes § 14-11-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IRC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Existing Buildings
Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of
construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.
No adoption of Appendix J was found in the municipal code or the city ordinances.
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Codes (IEBC), including Appendix A and B. Memphis, TN, Muni. Codes § 14-7 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IEBC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Commercial Building Code
Memphis adopted the 2021 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.
You can find a copy of the code
here.You can find information about the adoption without amendment to the model code
here.
Auto Search - beta:
2012 IBC with Tennessee amendments(Memphis, TN Sec. 14-6-1. - Building code adopted by reference.)
...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...
Comments
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Building Codes (IBC), including Appendices A, C, D, F, and H. Memphis, TN, Muni. Codes § 14-6-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IBC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Existing Buildings
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Codes (IEBC), including Appendix A and B. Memphis, TN, Muni. Codes § 14-7 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IEBC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Other Building Codes
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), including Appendices A, C, D, F, and H, with amendments. Memphis, TN, Muni. Code § 9-36-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IFC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), including Appendix A. Memphis, TN, Muni. Code § 14-4-1 (adoption). Note that, the city of Memphis Amend Section R102.7 “Existing structures” by deleting the phrase “the International Property Maintenance Code.” Shelby County, TN, “2021 IRC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24.
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC). Memphis, TN, Muni. Code § 14-5-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 NEC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Memphis, TN, Muni. Code § 14-9-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IECC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC). Memphis, TN, Muni. Code § 14-10-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IFGC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC). Memphis, TN, Muni. Code § 14-13-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IMC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).
Memphis, Tennessee, adopted the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC), including Appendices B, C, D, E, and F. Memphis, TN, Muni. Code § 14-14-1 (adoption) and Shelby County, Tennessee. “2021 IPC Amendments,” Accessed 06/27/24 (adoption and amendments).