PROPERTY OFFENSES

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 10, ch. 10-12

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-1 Public library—Failure to return, destroying or injuring books and other property—Use of fictitious name or address to obtain books.

Sec. 10-12-1. - Public library—Failure to return, destroying or injuring books and other property—Use of fictitious name or address to obtain books. A. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to detain or fail to return to any public library in the city any book, periodical, map, newspaper, plate, engraving, magazine, pamphlet, manuscript, picture, clipping or other property belonging to any public library in the city after the lapse of 30 days from the date of posting by certified mail of a notice addressed to such person at the last address furnished the public library, which notice may be given at any time after the date on which such person should have returned the loaned property in accordance with the rules of such public library; provided, however that, no penalty shall be imposed in any case where restitution in value shall have been made prior to the expiration of such 30-day period, nor in any case where the return of such loaned property belonging to any public library in the city has been rendered impossible by causes beyond the control of the borrower. B. It shall be a misdemeanor to give a fictitious or incorrect name or address at any public library in order to obtain possession or use of any property, as described in subsection A of this section, belonging to any public library in the city. C. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to cut, write upon, injure, deface, tear or destroy any property, as described in subsection A of this section, belonging to any public library in the city. (Code 1967, § 22-42; Code 1985, § 18-1; Ord. No. 1207, § 1, 3-7-1972; Ord. No. 3009, § 1, 5-13-1980)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-2 Dangerous and offensive substances—Exposing in public places.

Sec. 10-12-2. - Dangerous and offensive substances—Exposing in public places. No person shall take, carry, expose or place in or upon any street or public building any substance, animal or thing which is or is likely to become a public nuisance; or which shall imperil the life, health or safety of any person who is or may properly be in such public place or building; or which through the giving off of odors or noises shall be or become offensive, or injuriously affect the comfort and service of persons using such public place or building. (Code 1967, § 22-10; Code 1985, § 20-6)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-3 Dangerous conditions on premises.

Sec. 10-12-3. - Dangerous conditions on premises. No owner, tenant, lessee, occupant, or manager of any private, residential, commercial, industrial or publicly owned property within the city shall cause, keep or permit on such property excavations, corrosive chemicals, exposed electrical conduits, poisonous and highly flammable substances, unguarded operating machinery, or similar conditions, that because of their nature and ease of accessibility would be dangerous to small children and unsuspecting persons. Whenever such conditions exist, and when it is the determination of the health officer that such conditions constitute a threat to the life or safety of the citizens, it shall be his or her duty to require that the condition be made safe by modification, or made inaccessible to unauthorized and unsuspecting persons. (Code 1967, § 22-11; Code 1985, § 20-7)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-4 Excavations—Leaving unguarded.

Sec. 10-12-4. - Excavations—Leaving unguarded. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to permit any well, cistern or other excavation to remain open and uncovered, to the danger of others. (Code 1967, § 22-20; Code 1985, § 20-13)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-5 Names to be affixed to business houses.

Sec. 10-12-5. - Names to be affixed to business houses. It is unlawful for any person doing any business in the city to follow the same, unless his or her name, or name of the firm, is printed or affixed in legible letters over the front door of his or her business house, the letters to be of the usual size used on such signs. (Code 1967, § 22-33; Code 1985, § 20-15)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-6 Playing ball on streets, or public places, except in parks or playgrounds—Vacant lots.

Sec. 10-12-6. - Playing ball on streets, or public places, except in parks or playgrounds—Vacant lots. A. It shall be a misdemeanor to play, or to throw or to kick balls in any sport, on any street or other public place within the city, except in parks and playgrounds. B. It shall be deemed a nuisance to play, throw or kick balls, pucks, missiles, rocks, stones, or other objects used in sports or games, upon any vacant lot or yard without the owner's permission, or to create an annoyance in violation of conditions as provided under chapter 9-68. (Code 1967, § 22-35; Code 1985, § 20-16; Ord. No. 4689, § 1, 7-20-1999)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-7 Giving performances on streets.

Sec. 10-12-7. - Giving performances on streets. It is unlawful for any person to employ any device, noise or performance tending to the collection of persons on the streets or other public places, to the obstruction of the same, or to exhibit any tricks of legerdemain, or other devices of a like kind, or perform with bells, organs or other instruments upon any of the streets, public squares or promenades. (Code 1967, § 22-41(b); Code 1985, § 20-17)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-8 Trees on public property—Destroying or damaging.

Sec. 10-12-8. - Trees on public property—Destroying or damaging. It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to willfully break down, destroy, injure or remove any tree not obnoxious to health or otherwise injurious, or any of the boxes enclosing the same, on any street, public square or open court. (Code 1967, § 22-48; Code 1985, § 20-19)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 10-12-9 Public property and works—Injuring or defacing, and regulating advertising and/or campaign materials.

Sec. 10-12-9. - Public property and works—Injuring or defacing, and regulating advertising and/or campaign materials. A. No person shall injure or deface any public building, public work or public property; provided, however, painting of numerals of the street address on the curb immediately in front of a structure shall not be an act prohibited in this section when conforming to provisions set forth in section 12-4-7. B. No person shall post, stick, stamp, paint or otherwise fix, or cause the same to be done by any person, any notice, placard, bill, card, poster, advertisement or other paper or device calculated to attract the attention of the public, to or upon any public property, including but not limited to, any street, sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, or any other portion or part of any public way or public place or building, or any telephone pole, light standard, stop sign, railway structure, tree, bush or shrub, or upon any railings, gates, or other parts of any public bridge, viaduct, subway or overpass, or upon any other public property, right-of-way or easement granted to the city. No person shall remove, deface or otherwise tamper with any lawfully posted signs. C. Any notice, placard, bill, card, poster, advertisement or other paper or device as referred to in subsection B of this section, which contains a message attributable to a person or entity named thereon or an advertisement or telephone number notification for the benefit of a person or entity, or any properly authenticated photograph or videotape of same, shall be prima facie evidence that the notice, placard, bill, card, poster, advertisement or other paper or device was placed on public property in violation of this section by the person or entity whose name appears thereon or whose telephone number appears thereon, or by their employee or agent while acting in the scope of their employment or agency and on behalf of the person or entity whose name or telephone number appears thereon. D. Each notice, placard, bill, card, poster, advertisement or other paper or device as referred to in subsection B of this section, found posted on public property in violation of this section shall be deemed to be a separate violation of this section. Each separate violation shall be punishable by a fine of $50.00. In addition, in order to remediate the harm caused the city by violations of this section, the city shall be entitled to recover a penalty in an amount equal to the cost incurred in locating, removing and disposing of such material, provided however that such penalty shall not exceed $200.00. E. The division of public works is authorized to issue citations for violation of this section, and to act as the city's official representative in all prosecutions of such citations in all appropriate courts. (Code 1967, § 22-43; Code 1985, § 20-26; Ord. No. 1432, § 1, 9-26-1972; Ord. No. 3156, § 1, 9-29-1981; Ord. No. 4999, 5-20-2003; Ord. No. 5073, § 1, 2004)

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=TIT10PUPEMOWE_CH10-12PROFFetched: 10/28/2026