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PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PROPERTY USE REGULATIONS, AND NAMES

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 12, ch. 12-68
in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-68-1 Definitions.

Sec. 12-68-1. - Definitions. As used in this chapter: Public property is any real property owned or leased by the city or any of its agencies, including the surrounding grounds. Work area means publicly owned or leased property which is not ordinarily open to the public and is used by municipal employees in the ordinary course of their duties, or in assembling for their duties, and includes, but is not limited to, fire station engine houses, fire department shops, sanitation and public works substations, city shops, light, gas and water division substations or pumping stations, and other offices within public buildings where it is not normal and routine for members of the public to come for municipal services. (For example, City Hall is a public building, but the public works drafting room would be a work area, and the police headquarters would be a public building, but the record room or similar offices would be work areas.) (Code 1967, § 22-42.1; Code 1985, § 20-136; Ord. No. 868, § 1(1), 2-2-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-68-2 Opening and closing hours.

Sec. 12-68-2. - Opening and closing hours. The executive division shall have the power to designate the opening and closing hours of public buildings or offices operated the city by posting such hours in the buildings. No person, except duly authorized personnel, shall remain in such public building after official closing hours to the general public, and any person who, after being notified to leave and who refuses to leave, shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and punishable as such. (Code 1967, § 22-42.2; Code 1985, § 20-137; Ord. No. 868, § 1(2), 2-2-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-68-3 Entry into work area.

Sec. 12-68-3. - Entry into work area. No person shall enter into any work area of public property as defined in this chapter except with the permission of the supervisor of such area, and any person who inadvertently or with intent to enter such area fails and refuses to comply with any lawful request to leave such area shall be guilty of a violation of this section. (Code 1967, § 22-42.3; Code 1985, § 20-138; Ord. No. 868, § 1(3), 2-2-1971)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-68-4 Open spaces, parks and recreational areas—Use for political gatherings.

Sec. 12-68-4. - Open spaces, parks and recreational areas—Use for political gatherings. All open spaces, including but not limited to, parks, playgrounds, picnic areas and areas set aside for recreational purposes, shall be used for those purposes and shall not be used for nonrecreational gatherings or purposes, except upon permission granted by the city park commission, which shall regulate the time, place and manner of the nonrecreational usage. (Code 1967, § 22-42.4; Code 1985, § 20-139; Ord. No. 868, § 1(4), 2-2-1971; Ord. No. 4237, § 1, 1-18-1994)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-68-5 Intent of chapter—Responsibility of park commission.

Sec. 12-68-5. - Intent of chapter—Responsibility of park commission. A. It is the purpose of this chapter to detail the process for naming and renaming public place/property names not outlined in sections of the Memphis Municipal Code specifically concerning: (i) streets, and (ii) parks, and to prevent interference with normal use of public property by the general public and to prohibit only such use which will unduly interfere with the normal use of public property by other members of the public with an equal right to access it. B. The park commission shall establish reasonable nondiscriminatory regulations that preserve peace, order and tranquility in granting permits for organized meetings as authorized above and such regulations shall be forwarded to the council for approval by resolution. Such regulations shall provide definite and objective standards and such regulations shall be published and available to the public as to how an application for a permit is to be submitted and shall provide for a speedy right of review, either administratively or judicially. The park commission may designate certain parks or open spaces at which no organized political gatherings or religious meetings may be held because of the nature or size of such facilities. (Code 1967, § 22-42.5; Code 1985, § 20-140; Ord. No. 868, § 1(4), 2-2-1971; Ord. No. 5759, § 5, 9-1-2020)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-68-6 Method of naming and renaming.

Sec. 12-68-6. - Method of naming and renaming. When the city shall acquire property for use by the general public, by purchase, condemnation, or dedication, it shall be the duty of the Memphis City Council to select a suitable name for such new public place/property. Furthermore, the Memphis City Council may change the official name adopted for existing City of Memphis public places/property, by ordinance duly passed. Any conflicts with the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code shall be made in favor of this section. (Ord. No. 5759, § 6, 9-1-2020)
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_CH12-68PUBUPRUSRENAFetched: 10/28/2026

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