Business Licensing & Operations in Memphis, TN (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Memphis, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Memphis requires a police-issued permit before operating any sexually oriented business, adult bookstores, cabarets, theaters, escort agencies and more, under City Code § 6-72-4, and bans locating one within 1,500 feet of a church, school, park, residential district boundary or another sexually oriented business under § 6-72-8. The $500 annual permit can be denied, suspended or revoked.
Memphis Sexually Oriented Business Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code §§ 6-72-4, 6-72-8
Sec. 6-72-4. - Permit required. A.Generally. 1.A person commits an offense if he or she operates a sexually oriented business without a valid permit, issued by the city or county for the particular type of business. ... Sec. 6-72-8. - Location of sexually oriented businesses. A.A person commits an offense if he or she operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business within 1,500 f...
Massage Establishments
Memphis requires anyone operating a massage institute, bathhouse, or working as a massage operator or bather to hold a permit issued by the city treasurer under Code of Ordinances Ch. 6-48. Applicants undergo a police services background check, and permits carry health, clothing, hours, and conduct conditions.
Memphis Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances, Sec. 6-48-3
No person shall act as a massage operator or bather or conduct a massage institute or bathhouse or other similar business establishment in the city without first obtaining a permit as provided in this article from the city treasurer or his or her designee.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Memphis requires anyone operating a tattoo establishment, or working as a tattoo operator or artist, to hold a health department permit under City Code § 6-76-2, backed by a sterilization-training exam, quarterly inspections, and an outright ban on tattooing anyone under 18 under § 6-76-9. Permits cost $50.00 a year and expire every December 31st.
Memphis Tattoo Establishment Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code §§ 6-76-2, 6-76-9
Sec. 6-76-2. - Permit—Required. No person shall operate a tattoo establishment or engage in the practice or business of tattooing as a tattoo operator or as a tattoo artist unless such person shall first obtain a permit from the health officer or his or her duly authorized agent. Applications for such permit shall be made in writing on a form prescribed by the health officer, wherein the applic...
Tobacco Retail License
Memphis and Shelby County zoning bars new smoke shops from locating within 1,320 feet of any school, place of worship, day care facility, or park, measured parcel to parcel. Vapor shops open before the November 15, 2016 effective date of ZTA 16-1 are grandfathered and can expand, modify, or relocate within the same site despite the buffer.
Memphis Smoke Shop Distance Rule
Significant RestrictionsMemphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code § 2.6.3.S
Smoke shops not covered by an exception below shall be located no closer than 1320 feet from any school, place of worship, day care facility or park, as measured from the parcel that contains the smoke shop and the parcel that contains the school, place of worship, day care facility or park. The following smoke shops are exempted from this provision: 1. Vapor shops that existed at the time zoni...
Secondhand Dealers
Memphis regulates secondhand dealers through mandatory daily police reporting: City Code § 6-68-3 requires every dealer to deliver police a description of each item bought the day before, by 9:00 a.m., and § 6-68-1 restricts business hours to 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (11:00 p.m. on Saturdays). A 48-hour resale hold and a $1.00-per-card fee also apply.
Memphis Secondhand Dealer Reporting Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code §§ 6-68-1, 6-68-3
Sec. 6-68-1. - Business hours. It is unlawful for any dealer in secondhand merchandise to open his or her place of business for the transaction of business before 6:00 a.m., or to keep his or her place of business open for the transaction of business after 8:00 p.m., on any day except Saturday, on which day it shall be lawful for any dealer in secondhand merchandise to keep his or her place of ...
Pawnbrokers
Memphis requires every pawnbroker to hold the state license under T.C.A. § 45-6-102 before opening, per City Code § 6-60-2, then layers on local rules: fixed business hours, a Sunday closure, a numbered transaction ledger delivered daily to police, and an interest cap of $6.00 per $100.00 per year.
Memphis Pawnbroker License & Hours Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code §§ 6-60-2, 6-60-5
Sec. 6-60-2. - License required by state law. It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of a pawnbroker within the city, unless he or she first obtains the license required by T.C.A. § 45-6-102. ... Sec. 6-60-5. - Business hours; Sunday business prohibited. No pawnbroker shall keep open his or her place of business before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. of any day during the months o...
Towing Companies
Memphis lets a private property owner tow a vehicle without the driver's consent only if warning signage is posted at every entrance and the towing company holds express written, and often notarized, authorization from the owner or a designated agent on file with the city permits office.
Memphis Non-Consent Private Property Towing Rules
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 6-88-15 (Private property tow authorization)
B.The owner or person in lawful possession of private property, including an apartment complex or condominium association, may cause the removal of a vehicle parked on the property in compliance with applicable law; however, there must be displayed, in plain view at all entrances to the property, a sign not less than 18 inches by 12 inches in size, with lettering not less than one inch in heigh...
Looking for Shelby County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Memphis city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Shelby County →