BUILDING AND HOUSE NUMBERS

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 12, ch. 12-20

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-1 Required.

Sec. 12-20-1. - Required. Every main entrance to every building and every lot fronting upon any street within the limits of the city shall bear, and be known by, a certain street number to be fixed by the light, gas and water division. (Code 1967, § 36-78; Code 1985, § 34-96)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-2 Meridians described.

Sec. 12-20-2. - Meridians described. The street number required by this chapter shall be ascertained and fixed with reference to the distance and direction of such main entrance or lot, from two certain meridian lines, which lines are now described and established as follows: A. Meridian A for east and west streets: beginning at the intersection of the south boundary line of the city and the center of Florida Street, running thence north along the center of Florida Street and with the center line of such street projected to an intersection with the west line of Tennessee Street; thence northwardly along the west line of such street to an intersection with the north line of Beale Street; thence northwardly parallel to that part of Second Street north of Beale Street to the city limits. B. Meridian B for north and south streets: beginning at a point where Meridian A would intersect the center line of Madison Avenue if same were extended westwardly, thence east along the center of Madison Avenue, and the projection eastwardly of such center line to the center line of the Memphis and State Line Railway; thence offsetting to the south along the center line of such railway 1,140 feet; thence eastwardly to the intersection of Poplar Avenue and Lafayette Street; thence eastwardly to the intersection of the center lines of Walnut Grove Road and Highland Avenue; thence east along the center line of such road to the east city limits. (Code 1967, § 36-79; Code 1985, § 34-97)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-3 Method of numbering on north and south streets.

Sec. 12-20-3. - Method of numbering on north and south streets. Where the main entrance or lot is situated on a street running in a north and south direction, the number shall be fixed with reference to the distance north or south from Meridian B, each street number taking up a frontage of 20 feet. The odd numbers shall be on the west side of the street, and the even numbers on the east side. For example: a main entrance on Second Street 1,000 feet north of Madison Avenue would be No. 100 North Second Street if situated on the east side of the street, and No. 99 North Second Street if situated on the west side of the street. (Code 1967, § 36-80; Code 1985, § 34-98)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-4 Method of numbering on east and west streets.

Sec. 12-20-4. - Method of numbering on east and west streets. Where the main entrance or lot is situated on a street running east and west, the number shall be fixed with reference to the distance from Meridian A, each street number taking up a frontage of 20 feet, the odd numbers being on the south side and the even numbers on the north side of the street. For example: a main entrance or lot on Union Avenue 7,000 feet east of Meridian A would be No. 700 Union Avenue if situated on the north side of the street, and No. 699 Union Avenue if situated on the south side of the street. (Code 1967, § 36-81; Code 1985, § 34-99)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-5 Method of numbering two entrances.

Sec. 12-20-5. - Method of numbering two entrances. Where there is more than one main entrance within a 20-foot frontage on any street in the city, the first main entrance shall bear the proper number for this frontage. The other main entrance in such 20-foot frontage shall bear the same number followed by the capital letter A, B, etc. For example: 100, 100A, 100B. (Code 1967, § 36-82; Code 1985, § 34-100)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-6 Method of numbering on streets not at right angles with meridians.

Sec. 12-20-6. - Method of numbering on streets not at right angles with meridians. Where streets do not run at right angles with the meridians, the frontage of each street number shall be increased so as to make the number on that street correspond with the street numbers on other streets in the same block, which do run at right angles to the meridian. (Code 1967, § 36-83; Code 1985, § 34-101)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-7 Application for number—Issuance of certificate.

Sec. 12-20-7. - Application for number—Issuance of certificate. The owner of any house or building fronting on any street shall apply to the light, gas and water division for his or her street number. The light, gas and water division shall issue a certificate designating the number to be used on any house or building, upon the payment of a fee of $5.00 for each certificate. The fee for a duplicate certificate shall be $2.50. Fees shall be turned over to the city treasurer for the use of the city. This section does not apply to numbers for buildings in the rear. (Code 1967, § 36-84; Code 1985, § 34-102; Ord. No. 3024, § 1, 6-9-1980)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-8 Attaching, stenciling or painting number on building.

Sec. 12-20-8. - Attaching, stenciling or painting number on building. Every person owning or occupying any house or building fronting on any street in the city, and not bearing the proper street number for each main entrance, shall, within ten days after the beginning of such occupancy, have the proper number attached to, stenciled or painted on the front part of such house or building, over, on, or by each main entrance in such manner that the number shall be plainly visible from the street. Such street number shall conform with this chapter and be the number designated by the light, gas and water division. If, because of the setback of the house or building, or for any other reason, the number cannot readily be seen from the street, then the occupant shall, in addition to the provisions above, position the numbering so that it is clearly visible from the street. This section shall be enforced by the office of planning and development. (Code 1967, § 36-85; Code 1985, § 34-103; Ord. No. 2286, § 1, 7-29-1975)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-20-9 Display of incorrect number.

Sec. 12-20-9. - Display of incorrect number. It is unlawful for any person to display any false or incorrect house or lot number knowingly and willfully or with the intention to deceive another person. (Code 1967, § 36-87; Code 1985, § 34-104)

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_CH12-20BUHONUFetched: 10/28/2026