Public Health Rules in Memphis, TN

If you live in Memphis or are thinking about moving there, public health rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Memphis has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of public health rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Rodent Control

Memphis Code Chapter 9-80 requires every business building and multifamily dwelling to be ratproofed and kept rat-free under the health officer's supervision. On written notice of a rat problem, the owner must ratproof within at least 15 days; if the owner doesn't comply, the health officer can do the work and bill the owner.

Key details: Covered buildings: Business buildings, multifamily dwellings. Compliance deadline: Not less than 15 days. Non-compliance: Misdemeanor + city ratproofs, bills owner. Inspections: Unannounced, by health officer. Minimum fine: $200 per violation.

Chapter 9-80 carries the Code's enhanced Health and Sanitation minimum penalty under § 1-24-1(C): a minimum fine of $200.00 per violation rather than the ordinary $50.00 cap, on top of which an owner who ignores a ratproofing notice is separately guilty of a misdemeanor under § 9-80-9(A) and can be billed for the full cost of city-performed ratproofing work, collectible through a city attorney lawsuit if unpaid.

This is one of the stricter rules in Memphis's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Food Handler Certification

Memphis doesn't run its own food handler certification program. City Code § 9-52-89 instead requires every food handler in the city to meet the standard set by Tennessee's food employee statute, T.C.A. § 53-8-108, plus state health department rules and the general sanitary-conditions article at City Code § 9-52-26.

Key details: Standard applied: T.C.A. § 53-8-108, TDH rules, § 9-52-26. No separate card: compliance folded into permit inspections. Checked at: routine § 9-52-8 inspections. Enforcement: permit suspension/revocation under § 9-52-7.

§ 9-52-89 itself carries no independent penalty; noncompliance is addressed through the establishment's food permit. Deficiencies noted on the § 9-52-8 inspection form, including food-handler training gaps, become part of the health officer's basis to suspend or revoke the facility's permit under § 9-52-7 after notice and a hearing opportunity.

Syringe Disposal

Memphis regulates sharps and pathogenic waste from clinics, dental offices, blood banks and medical labs under City Code § 9-56-6(B): after use, needles must be broken off at the hub and separated from the syringe, pathological waste must go into sealed, tied disposable bags stored in director-approved containers, and it is disposed of only on the regular collection day.

Key details: Applies to: clinics, dental offices, blood banks, labs. Needle rule: break off at hub immediately after use. Bags: durable, tie-and-seal when full. Storage: director-approved containers, public access restricted. Set-out: collection point, scheduled day only.

Section 9-56-6(B) requires generator-approved disposal conditions from the health department; mixing sharps or pathological waste into ordinary solid waste, storing bags in publicly accessible containers, or setting them out other than on the scheduled collection day falls outside the approved method and is enforced through the health department's approval authority over the generating hospital or institution's waste plan.

The Bottom Line

Memphis's public health rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Memphis is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Memphis's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.