Wires to be underground within conduit district—Exceptions.
Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-56-14
in effectSec. 12-56-14. - Wires to be underground within conduit district—Exceptions.
A. In the public thoroughfares, streets, alleys and squares within the territory described in section 12-56-13, all electric service wire lines shall be placed in conduits underground, and no person shall construct any telegraph, telephone, electric light or power service above the ground in passing along or across such public thoroughfares within such territory.
B. This section shall not apply to the following overhead wires with their appurtenances:
1. Wires and lamp poles, with such appurtenances as may be deemed desirable by the director of public works, used for the purpose of public street lighting;
2. Such wires, poles and other appurtenances as may be deemed unobjectionable by the director of public works within the limits of any block used for the purpose of subdistribution of wires within that block, but in no event shall such wires be permitted to cross any street or alley overhead, within such conduit district;
3. All wires, poles and necessary appurtenances for the installation of traffic-control signal lights.
(Code 1967, § 29-34; Code 1985, § 27-37)
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_ART3CO_S12-56-14WIBEUNWICODIXCFetched: 10/28/2026