General duty of property owner to build, repair and clean.
Memphis Code of Ordinances § 12-24-3
in effectSec. 12-24-3. - General duty of property owner to build, repair and clean.
A. The owner or every lot and parcel of land abutting on any street, avenue, parkway, boulevard or other public street of the city, for which an established grade has been lawfully fixed and curbs and gutters are in place, is required to provide and maintain adjacent to his or her property a sidewalk in accordance with the specifications set out in this chapter and chapter 12-28 when so ordered by the city engineer or his or her authorized representative.
B. It shall be the duty of every owner of property, whether vacant or occupied, within the limits of the city abutting on or adjacent to, any street, avenue, parkway, or other public street of the city, to keep clean and open for public passage all public sidewalks or walkways abutting on or adjacent to such property, and to keep such sidewalks or walkways in good repair and condition.
C. On streets, avenues, parkways or other public streets, for which an established grade has not been lawfully fixed, and curbs and gutters are not in place, the owners of abutting and adjacent property to such streets are required to keep the space provided for walkway or passageway for pedestrian traffic adjacent to their property in a safe condition, free from all obstructions, excavations, high grass, weeds, trash, debris, or other substances or material which may interfere with the free use of such passageway by the public. The abutting or adjacent owner may be required to lay a gravel, asphalt or cinder walkway of an approximate minimum width of three feet abutting his or her property.
(Code 1967, § 36-105; Code 1985, § 34-118; Ord. No. 894, § 1, 4-6-1971; Ord. No. 1635, § 3, 3-13-1973; Ord. No. 3590, § 1(5), 9-2-1986)
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_CH12-24SIGE_S12-24-3GEDUPROWBURECLFetched: 10/28/2026