Memphis & Shelby County Contractor Bond

What Is the Memphis & Shelby County Contractor Bond?

Memphis and Shelby County run a joint building authority (Construction Code Enforcement, online as Develop901). Trade contractors — electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, and gas — must post a $25,000 code-compliance bond. A contractor holding several trade licenses can post a single $50,000 consolidated bond instead. The bond protects the public if your work breaks code; if a claim is paid, you repay the surety.

Who Needs It?

• Electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, and gas contractors post the $25,000 bond.
• Contractors holding multiple trade licenses may post one $50,000 consolidated bond.
• General (building) contractors are licensed by the State of Tennessee and registered locally to pull permits.

City vs. State

In Tennessee, general (building) contractors are licensed by the State for projects of $25,000 or more — not by Memphis or Shelby County. The local $25,000 bond is for the building trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas).

How to Get Bonded

1. Click “Get Your Bond Now” and enter a few details plus your ZIP code.
2. Buy your bond online at secure checkout.
3. File the bond with the Memphis & Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement and pull your permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Memphis & Shelby County contractor bond?

$25,000 for trade contractors (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas). A $50,000 consolidated bond can cover several trades at once.

Who issues it?

The joint Memphis & Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement (Develop901) is the obligee.

Do general contractors need this bond?

General contractors are state-licensed in Tennessee and register locally to pull permits. The $25,000 bond applies to the building trades.

Amounts and rules are set by Memphis & Shelby County and can change. Confirm the current requirement with the city before you buy.

Related: All local bonds in Tennessee · All Tennessee surety bonds