Definitions.
Memphis Code of Ordinances § 11-64-1
in effectSec. 11-64-1. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Air pollution is any particulate matter or any gas or vapor other than water or any combination thereof, including any physical, chemical, biological, radioactive substance or matter which is emitted into or otherwise enters the ambient air.
Antique motor vehicle is any motor vehicle over 25 years old which is owned solely as a collectors' item and is used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar uses, but in no event for general transportation.
Carbon dioxide is a compound consisting of the chemical formula (CO 2 ).
Carbon monoxide is a compound consisting of the chemical formula (CO).
Catalytic converter is a pollution control device containing a catalyst for converting automobile exhaust into mostly harmless products.
Centralized network means that motor vehicle inspections are conducted by the local or state government at permanent locations.
Certificate of compliance is a certification issued by a department vehicle examiner or a fleet vehicle inspector that the motor vehicle identified on the certificate complies with the emission performance, safety, and anti-tampering criteria appropriate to the vehicle as specified in this chapter.
Check engine light. See Malfunction indicator light (MIL).
Department means the city's motor vehicle inspection bureau (MVIB).
Department vehicle examiner is any person employed by the city's division of public services and neighborhoods who is designated by the MVIB as qualified to perform vehicle emissions performance, safety, and anti-tampering inspections.
Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) is an alphanumeric code which is set in a vehicle's onboard computer when a monitor detects a condition likely to lead to (or has already produced) a component or system failure or otherwise contribute to exceeding emissions standards by 1.5 times the certification FTP standard.
Diesel-powered motor vehicle is a motor vehicle powered by a compression-ignition internal combustion engine.
Electric-powered motor vehicle is a motor vehicle which uses a propulsive unit powered exclusively by electricity.
Exhaust emissions are substances emitted into the atmosphere from any opening downstream from the exhaust ports of a motor vehicle engine.
Exhaust gas analyzer is a device for sensing the amount of air pollutants, including carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, in the exhaust emissions of a motor vehicle. For the purpose of this chapter, this shall mean analyzing devices of the non-dispersive infrared type or any other analyzing devices that provide equal or greater accuracy as approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Factory-installed motor vehicle pollutant control system is a motor vehicle pollution control system installed by the vehicle or engine manufacturer to comply with the United States government motor vehicles emission control laws and regulations.
Federal test procedure (FTP) is the test procedure used to determine the compliance of vehicles with federal emission standards.
Fleet means ten or more motor vehicles owned by the same person or business entity which are in use, registered in any county that has been designated by the state air pollution control board to have a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program in order to attain and maintain compliance with national ambient air quality standards within any area of the state or an adjoining state and not owned or held primarily for the purpose of resale.
Fleet inspection operator is a business who has been certified, in accordance with this regulation and other requirements as determined by the MVIB to perform inspections on their own fleet, as defined herein.
Fleet inspection permit is a certificate issued by the MVIB authorizing a fleet operator to become a fleet inspection operator.
Fleet vehicle inspector is any person retained by a fleet inspection operator holding a valid fleet inspection permit, and who is certified by the MVIB as qualified to perform vehicle emissions performance, safety, and anti-tampering inspections.
Fuel inlet restrictor is the leaded fuel nozzle restrictor installed on motor vehicles which was designed for the use of unleaded gasoline only.
Gasoline cap is the manufacturer cover that seals the motor vehicle gasoline tank.
Gasoline-powered motor vehicle is any motor vehicle powered by a spark-ignition internal combustion engine.
Gross vehicle weight (GVWR) is a term defining the gross vehicle weight as determined from the combined manufacturer vehicle and maximum load rating.
Heavy-duty motor vehicle is any motor vehicle having a combined manufacturer vehicle and maximum load rating (GVWR) to be carried thereon in excess of 10,500 pounds (4,773 kilograms).
Hydrocarbon is any organic compound consisting predominantly of carbon and hydrogen.
Idle speed means the unloaded engine speed of a motor vehicle when the accelerator pedal is fully released. In a motor vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, this is with the drive selector in neutral or park. In a motor vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, this is with the gear selector in neutral and the clutch fully engaged. In all motor vehicles, the engine operated accessories shall be turned off.
Internal combustion engine is any engine in which the combustion of gaseous, liquid or pulverized solid fuel takes place within one or more cylinders, or any engine with one or more combustion chambers.
Light-duty motor vehicle is any motor vehicle having a combined manufacturer vehicle and maximum load rating (GVWR) to be carried thereon of 10,500 pounds (4,773 kilograms) or less.
Malfunction indicator light (MIL) is known as the check engine light. The malfunction indicator light is illuminated on the dashboard when conditions exist likely to result in emissions exceeding FTP standards by 1.5 times or worse. Alternatives include "service engine soon," as well as an unlabeled icon of an engine.
Manufacturer's idle-speed specification is the engine idle speed specified for a particular motor vehicle as printed on the engine compartment emissions system data plate or in the owner's manual.
Model year means the annual production period of new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines designated by the calendar year in which such production ends. If the manufacturer does not designate a production period, the year with respect to such motor vehicle or engines shall mean the 12-month period beginning January of the year in which production thereof begins. The model year for a motor vehicle constructed by other than the original manufacturer shall be assigned by the state department of motor vehicles.
Motor vehicle is any self-propelled vehicle used for transporting persons or commodities on public roads.
Motor vehicle regulatory license is the annual motor vehicle license required as a condition for legal operation of certain classes of motor vehicles.
Motorcycle is any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and having a curb weight of 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms) or less.
New motor vehicle is any motor vehicle that has never been previously titled or registered in this or any other jurisdiction and whose ownership document remains as a manufacturer's certificate of origin.
Official inspection station means a facility operated by the MVIB to conduct motor vehicle inspections pursuant to this chapter, in a centralized network.
Onboard diagnostics (OBD) is a system of vehicle component and condition monitors controlled by a central, onboard computer designed to signal the motorist when conditions exist which could lead to a motor vehicle's exceeding its certification standards by 1.5 times the FTP standard. OBD refers specifically to EPA's OBDII requirements. The following vehicles are equipped with OBDII systems: 1996+ gasoline-powered vehicles less than 8,500 pounds GVWR, 1997+ diesel-powered vehicles less than 8,500 pounds GVWR, and 2007+ gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles between 8,500 and 14,000 pounds GVWR.
OBD data link connector (DLC) serves as an interface between a motor vehicle's OBD computer and the OBD scanner and is usually located under the dashboard on the driver's side. Connecting an OBD scanner to the DLC allows inspectors and motor vehicle repair technicians to read the readiness status of motor vehicle's onboard monitors as well as any diagnostic trouble codes.
Opacity is the degree to which emissions reduce the transmission of light and obscure the view of an object in the background.
Pollution control device is the equipment designed by the manufacturer for installation on a motor vehicle for the purpose of reducing pollutants emitted from the motor vehicle, or a system or engine modification on a motor vehicle which causes a reduction of pollutants emitted from the motor vehicle.
Readiness codes are status flags stored by a motor vehicle's onboard computer which is different from the DTC in that it does not indicate a motor vehicle fault, but rather whether or not a given monitor has been run (i.e., whether or not the component or system in question has been checked to determine if it is functioning properly).
RPM is a term describing the engine crankshaft revolutions per minute.
Tampering means to remove, render inoperative, cause to be removed, or make less operative any emission control device, unless such removal or act to render inoperative or less operative is for the purpose of motor vehicle disposal or salvage operation.
Vehicle exhaust system means all devices, equipment and systems which transport exhaust emissions from the exhaust ports of the motor vehicle engine to the atmosphere.
(Ord. No. 5317, § 21-301, 7-21-2009)
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=TIT11VETR_CH11-64INVE_S11-64-1DEFetched: 10/28/2026