Purpose; exclusion; scope.
Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-56-1
in effectSec. 6-56-1. - Purpose; exclusion; scope.
A. Generally. The purpose of this section and legislation is to regulate and punish violations of the act of panhandling, rather than the status of the person and is not intended to restrict the exercise of protected free speech.
B. Exclusion. The activities of panhandling do not include a person who passively stands or sits with a sign or other indication that one is seeking donations, without addressing any solicitation to any specific person other than in response to an inquiry by that person.
C. Nothing in this section shall abrogate or abridge provisions of chapter 6-64, pertaining to public solicitation, or the laws of state and federal government, or those laws regulating nonprofit, religious, educational, civic or benevolent organizations.
(Code 1985, § 20-28(a); Ord. No. 4211, § 1, 12-14-1993; Ord. No. 4352, § 4, 8-15-1995; Ord. No. 5348, § 1(a), 4-13-2010)
Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6BULIRE_CH6-56PA_S6-56-1PUEXSCFetched: 10/28/2026