COIN-OPERATED LAUNDERETTES

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 6, ch. 6-16

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-1 Definitions.

Sec. 6-16-1. - Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, any person owning or managing an establishment engaged in the business of providing public, mechanically coin-operated machines for the purpose of washing, drying or dry-cleaning under the term, "coin-operated launderette," "coin-op," "launderette," or otherwise, shall be deemed an operator functioning as a coin-operated launderette. (Code 1967, § 32-130; Code 1985, § 16-146; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-2 Violation; penalty.

Sec. 6-16-2. - Violation; penalty. Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, or fails to perform the reasonable requirements of the health department or health officer after receipt of 30 days' written notice of such requirements, shall be subject to punishment as provided in section 1-24-1 and each day of continued violation after conviction shall constitute a separate offense. (Code 1967, § 32-131; Code 1985, § 16-147; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-3 Permit required; prerequisite to business license; permit fee.

Sec. 6-16-3. - Permit required; prerequisite to business license; permit fee. No person shall engage in the operation of a coin-operated launderette without a permit from the city and county health department. No business license shall be issued to any person to engage in the business of a coin-operated launderette until a copy of a permit to engage in such business has been issued by the health department, which permit shall be valid for one calendar year. Every coin-operated launderette shall pay to the city and county health department an annual fee of $15.00. This fee shall be due on January 1 of each year and must be paid by January 31. (Code 1967, § 32-132; Code 1985, § 16-148; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-4 Authority of health department to adopt rules and regulations; interpretation of provisions.

Sec. 6-16-4. - Authority of health department to adopt rules and regulations; interpretation of provisions. The health department shall have the right to adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary in its judgment to meet the requirements of adequate coin-operated launderette sanitation and to preserve the safety and health of the patrons thereof. The interpretation of the provisions of this chapter shall be made by the health officer. (Code 1967, § 32-133; Code 1985, § 16-149; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-5 Approval of plans and specifications by health department.

Sec. 6-16-5. - Approval of plans and specifications by health department. Scaled, detailed plans as may be required by the health department shall be submitted for review and approval before construction and operation of a coin-operated launderette. Such plans shall show provisions and arrangement of facilities to comply with this chapter and with other codes and regulations involved. (Code 1967, § 32-134; Code 1985, § 16-150; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-6 Health department inspections.

Sec. 6-16-6. - Health department inspections. The health department is authorized and directed to make inspections of coin-operated launderettes, and to enter at reasonable times upon the property covered by the permit herein issued to investigate compliance with health rules and regulations and the provisions of this chapter. (Code 1967, § 32-135; Code 1985, § 16-151; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-7 Water supply and sewage disposal.

Sec. 6-16-7. - Water supply and sewage disposal. The water supply shall be adequate, of a safe, sanitary quality, and from an approved source. Hot and cold running water under pressure shall be provided to all washers, sinks, lavatories or hand-wash basins. All sewage shall be disposed of in a sewerage system that has been approved by the city and county health department. All plumbing shall be sized, installed and maintained in accordance with applicable plumbing and sanitary laws so as to carry adequate quantities of water to required locations throughout the establishment; to prevent contamination of the water supply; to properly convey sewage and liquid wastes from the establishment to the sewerage system; and so that it does not constitute a safety or health hazard or create an unsanitary condition or nuisance. (Code 1967, § 32-136; Code 1985, § 16-152; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-8 Garbage, rubbish and trash disposal.

Sec. 6-16-8. - Garbage, rubbish and trash disposal. It shall be the responsibility of every person in possession, charge or control of any establishment operating as a coin-operated launderette, where garbage, rubbish, trash or hazardous refuse is created or accumulated, to keep or cause to be kept a sufficient number of approved containers for the deposit of such waste generated on the premises. Any hazardous refuse, such as dry-cleaning chemicals, shall be disposed of by the person in possession, charge or control of the coin-operated launderette under such methods and conditions as shall be approved by the health department. (Code 1967, § 32-137; Code 1985, § 16-153; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-9 Floors, walls and ceilings.

Sec. 6-16-9. - Floors, walls and ceilings. Floors, walls and ceilings installed in all coin-operated launderette establishments shall be of a smooth, nonabsorbent material, and so constructed as to be easily cleanable and kept in good repair. Light fixtures, decorative material and similar equipment and material attached to walls, floors and ceilings shall be kept clean and in good repair. Floors in the area where washing machines are installed shall be of hard tile, brick, terrazzo, or similar materials. (Code 1967, § 32-138; Code 1985, § 16-154; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-10 Ventilation.

Sec. 6-16-10. - Ventilation. The entire building shall be well ventilated. Ventilation or filter devices on the dry-cleaning equipment and dryers shall be so designed as to prevent a nuisance or hazard. Filters on the structural ventilation system, where used, shall be readily removable for cleaning or replacement. Ventilation systems shall comply with applicable fire prevention requirements and shall be, when vented to the outside air, designed to discharge in such a manner as not to create a nuisance. (Code 1967, § 32-139; Code 1985, § 16-155; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-11 Fixtures installation and maintenance.

Sec. 6-16-11. - Fixtures installation and maintenance. All fixtures such as washing machines, dryers, dry-cleaning machines, ironers, hair dryers, vending machines or other similar devices shall be so installed and maintained that they will not constitute a source of contamination or create an unsanitary condition, nuisance or hazard. (Code 1967, § 32-140; Code 1985, § 16-156; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-12 Lighting.

Sec. 6-16-12. - Lighting. All areas of the establishment shall be well-lighted at all times during the hours of operation. (Code 1967, § 32-141; Code 1985, § 16-157; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-13 Toilet facilities.

Sec. 6-16-13. - Toilet facilities. Toilet facilities shall be provided as required by the city's plumbing code. (Code 1967, § 32-142; Code 1985, § 16-158; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-14 Cleanliness of premises.

Sec. 6-16-14. - Cleanliness of premises. A. Management responsibility. The active manager or owner if a coin-operated launderette shall be capable and responsible for the proper sanitation of the premises or shall provide employees competent to maintain and operate the establishment in a satisfactory condition at all times. B. Pest and vermin control. The building under permit by this chapter shall be so constructed as to control the ingression and habitation of rats, mice, insects, or any other pests or vermin. (Code 1967, § 32-143; Code 1985, § 16-159; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-16-15 Dispensing of food products.

Sec. 6-16-15. - Dispensing of food products. All food products must be dispensed by means of mechanical vending machines, and shall not be stored, displayed or dispensed in the same machine with bleach, detergent or any other similar chemical. (Code 1967, § 32-144; Code 1985, § 16-160; Ord. No. 2949, § 1, 12-11-1979)

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=TIT6BULIRE_CH6-16COERLAFetched: 10/28/2026