POLES

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 12, ch. 12-56, art. 2

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-4 Supervision.

Sec. 12-56-4. - Supervision. The location, erection, placing, replacing and repair of poles used for the stringing of wires thereon shall be under the supervision of, and subject to the approval of, the director of public works. (Code 1967, § 29-14; Code 1985, § 27-16)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-5 Permit to install, reset, replace or repair—Required—Exceptions.

Sec. 12-56-5. - Permit to install, reset, replace or repair—Required—Exceptions. A. It is unlawful for any person to install, put up, reset, replace or repair, within the city, any pole used or to be used for the overhead carrying of wires, cables or other like instrumentalities, without first obtaining a permit to do so from the director of public works; provided, that no permit will be required for the resetting, replacement or repair of such a pole where such work is occasioned by accident or mishap and is done under emergency conditions. B. The maintenance of any pole erected, reset, replaced or repaired without the permit provided for by this section shall be a nuisance, to be abated in the manner provided by law for the abatement of public nuisances erected or maintained in the city. (Code 1967, § 29-15; Code 1985, § 27-17)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-6 Permit—Application.

Sec. 12-56-6. - Permit—Application. An application, in writing, for a permit required by section 12-56-5 shall be filed with the director of public works, setting forth the location at which the pole is to be erected, reset, replaced or repaired, the character of the material of which the same is made, its height and diameter, and the kind and character of wires, cables or other instrumentalities to be carried thereon. (Code 1967, § 29-16; Code 1985, § 27-18)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-7 Permit—Refusal to issue.

Sec. 12-56-7. - Permit—Refusal to issue. The director of public works shall refuse to issue the permit required by section 12-56-5 whenever it appears that the pole sought to be erected, reset, replaced or repaired is unsafe, unsuitable for the purposes to which it will be put, or not suited to the location in which it will be placed. (Code 1967, § 29-17; Code 1985, § 27-19)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-8 Joint construction.

Sec. 12-56-8. - Joint construction. A. All poles used for the stringing of wires thereon shall be erected, reset or replaced under the rules of joint pole construction as set forth in this section. Whenever a new line of poles is to be erected, or whenever, by reason of street improvements, existing lines of poles are to be replaced, moved or reset, or whenever, due to the dangerous condition by reason of age or deterioration (in which case the director of public works shall have power to order the same replaced), then any such pole shall be constructed under the joint pole construction rules; provided, that the director shall have power and it shall be his or her duty to order such construction when, in his or her judgment, it shall be deemed advisable. B. Such joint pole construction shall consist of poles of ample size and length to carry the wires of two or more companies using the same street, and the wires of the electric light and power companies, when such poles are to be used by them, shall have their wires strung at the top sections of poles. The telephone and telegraph companies shall occupy with their wires the middle sections of such poles. All poles and wires shall meet all the minimum standards and be installed so as to meet the requirements for quality and clearance as are specifically set out in the National Electrical Safety Code, 1977 Edition, as amended. C. Whenever it is decided that poles shall be erected under the joint pole construction rules, all companies concerned shall agree on the space necessary to carry their respective wires, and shall also agree as to pro rata of expense for the erection of such poles. Whenever they are not able to come to an agreement, the director of public works shall have power to decide such matters. (Code 1967, § 29-18; Code 1985, § 27-20; Ord. No. 456, § 1, 4-22-1969)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-9 Reservation of space for city wires.

Sec. 12-56-9. - Reservation of space for city wires. Before any permission is given to erect any pole in the city, or to reset or replace any pole, provision shall be made for reserving proper space and furnishing all crossarms, pins and supports to carry all wires of the city traffic signal system and telephone systems of the city and of the fire and police telegraph and telephone systems of the city, and such space shall be under the wires of the electric light and power companies, when used by such companies. Whenever any poles are used exclusively for telephone or telegraph companies, then such space shall be reserved at the top of all such poles for the use of the wires of the city. The proper space reserved for the wires of the city shall be such that the installation can be made in full compliance with the minimum standards for clearance as are specifically set out in the National Electrical Safety Code, 1977 Edition, as amended. (Code 1967, § 29-19; Code 1985, § 27-21; Ord. No. 456, § 1, 4-22-1969)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-10 Identification of poles located in street right-of-way.

Sec. 12-56-10. - Identification of poles located in street right-of-way. A. It shall be a misdemeanor for any telegraph, telephone, gas, electric light or any other public utility to erect, maintain or allow to remain, in any public right-of-way or easement, any pole or post, unless there shall be visibly painted or securely affixed to such pole or post some device, character, sign or other symbol identifying the ownership of such pole or post and such device, character, sign or symbol shall be registered with the city engineer. Such device, character, sign or symbol shall be legible and shall not be affixed at greater height than eight feet from the surface of the ground. B. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to efface, deface or otherwise make illegible any such device, character, sign or symbol affixed to any pole or post in any public right-of-way or easement. (Code 1967, § 29-20; Code 1985, § 27-22)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-11 Privilege tax on poles in streets.

Sec. 12-56-11. - Privilege tax on poles in streets. There is levied annually a privilege tax of $0.25 on each telephone pole or telegraph pole located on or in the streets and other thoroughfares within the corporate limits of the city, as authorized by T.C.A. § 67-4102, item Q. (Code 1967, § 29-21.1; Code 1985, § 27-23)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-12 Removal, replacement or relocation of poles in public places.

Sec. 12-56-12. - Removal, replacement or relocation of poles in public places. The director of public works shall have the right to order the removal, replacement or relocation of any pole erected in any street, alley or other public place as may be necessary for proposed public improvements, which pole may become unsafe, or which ceases to be used for the purposes for which erected, or which interferes with the free use of such street, alley or public place, or interferes with the reasonable ingress and egress to private property abutting on such street, alley or public place. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to maintain such pole or to fail to remove it to a new location designated by the director of public service after ten days' notice in writing from such director to remove, replace or relocate such pole. (Code 1967, § 29-22; Code 1985, § 27-24)

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=TIT12STSIPUPL_CH12-56POWICO_ART2POFetched: 10/28/2026