Enforcement.
Memphis Code of Ordinances § 6-72-16
in effectSec. 6-72-16. - Enforcement.
A. Except as provided by subsection B of this section, any person violating section 6-72-8 of this chapter, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.00 per day per violation. It shall be the duty of the director of police services to enforce the provisions of this chapter. This chapter may also be enforced by injunctive relief through a court of competent jurisdiction.
B. If the sexually oriented business involved is a nude studio or sexual encounter center, then violation of section 6-72-8 of this chapter is punishable as a misdemeanor.
C. Except as provided by subsection B of this section, any person violating a provision of this chapter other than section 6-72-8, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.00 per day per violation, in accordance with section 1-24-1.
D. It is a defense to prosecution under section 6-72-4(A), 6-72-8 or 6-72-11(D) that a person appearing in a state of nudity did so in a modeling class operated:
1. By a school licensed by the State of Tennessee; a college, community college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation;
2. By a private college or university which maintains and operates educational programs in which credits are transferable to a college, community college, or university supported entirely or partly by taxation; or
3. In a structure:
a. Which has no sign visible from the exterior of the structure and no other advertising that indicates a nude person is available for viewing; and
b. Where in order to participate in a class a student must enroll at least three days in advance of the class; and
c. Where no more than one nude model is on the premises at any one time.
E. It is a defense to prosecution under section 6-72-4(A) or section 6-72-8 that each item of descriptive, printed, film or video material offered for sale or rental, taken as whole, contains serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
F. No alcohol permit may be issued for any sexually oriented business premises within the proscribed areas of section 6-72-8.
(Code 1985, § 20-134; Ord. No. 4013, § 1, 1-15-1991)
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_CH6-72SEORBU_S6-72-16ENFetched: 10/28/2026