The following are common Memphis City codes that the general public should know.
All codes are from Ordinance No. 5708, also known as the International Property Maintenance Code as amended for Memphis, Tennessee (IPMC).
The full version of the IPMC as amended in January 2022 can be found here.
The current fee schedule can be found here.
Sec. 302.4
302.4 Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of twelve inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, actual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property. Tracts that are four acres or more and are either in an industrial zoning district or are maintained in a natural state as a wilderness area are excepted from this provision.
Sec. 302.5
302.5. Trees and Shrubs. All trees and shrubs shall be maintained so as not to imperil public health or safety, or cause damage to any structure, premises, or utility services. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to properly maintain trees and shrubs after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and remove portions or the entirety of trees or shrubs growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property.
Sec. 302.8
302.8 Motor vehicles. Except as provided for in other regulations, no inoperative, rusted, significantly damaged, junked or unlicensed motor vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. All vehicles parked or stored in single-family residential, duplex or multifamily zoning districts shall be parked or stored on asphalt, concrete brick, pavers (interlocking or permeable), or gravel/rock.. More than four vehicles parked at any one property is prohibited unless within an enclosed garage. Painting of vehicles is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth. Exception: A vehicle of any type is permitted to undergo major overhaul, including body work, provided that such work is performed inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes. No commercial vehicles may be parked in residential zoning districts. No vehicles carrying hazardous material are permitted in residential zoning districts. No person shall park or store or permit the parking or storing of more than one boat and boat trailer, and no more than one camping trailer or recreational vehicle per dwelling unit. No part of such parking or storage area shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes. It is unlawful for any person to park or store any motorized vehicle or equipment, such as, but not limited to campers, trailers, boats or other recreational type equipment, on any residential street in the city.
Sec. 302.1
302.1 Sanitation. Exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. The occupant shall keep that part of the exterior property that such occupant occupies or controls in a clean and sanitary condition.
Sec. 301.2
301.2 Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and exterior property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in this code. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises that are not in a sanitary and safe condition and that do not comply with the requirements of this chapter. Occupants of a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit are responsible for keeping in a clean, sanitary and safe condition that part of the dwelling unit, rooming unit, housekeeping unit or premises which they occupy and control.
Sec. 303.1
303.1 Swimming pools. Swimming pools shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair.
Sec. 108.1.1
108.1.1 Unsafe structures. An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
Sec. 302.7
302.7 Accessory structures. Accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.