Public Conduct in Memphis, TN (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Memphis, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Memphis bans panhandling in aggressive manners under City Code § 6-56-6: coming within three feet, touching without consent, using profane language, following after a refusal, blocking a path, panhandling in a group of two or more, or panhandling while intoxicated. Violation is a citywide misdemeanor enforced by Memphis Police Services.
Memphis Aggressive Panhandling Ban
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code § 6-56-6
Sec. 6-56-6. - Manner of panhandling. Any person who in a public place panhandles in any of the following ways or manner is guilty of a misdemeanor: 1.By coming within three feet of the person solicited, unless that person has indicated that he/she does wish to make a donation;2.By touching the person being solicited without that person's consent;3.By using profane or abusive language, either d...
Skateboarding Rules
Skateboards are allowed on Memphis's downtown common mall area, the Main Street pedestrian mall, without a permit, but Sec. 12-48-7 puts real rules on how they're ridden there: riders must yield the right-of-way to every pedestrian and trolley, and must give an audible signal, verbally or with a bell, never a whistle or siren, before passing anyone on foot.
Memphis Common Mall Skateboard Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 12-48-7(C); § 12-48-8
C.Manually propelled vehicles such as bicycles, skateboards, etc. and non-motorized wheeled vehicles such as pedi-cabs shall be allowed on the common mall area without a permit and are subject to the following rules of operation:1.When operating a bicycle, skateboard, or other manually propelled vehicle or non-motorized wheeled vehicle on the common mall area, such person shall yield the right-...
Loitering Rules
Memphis doesn't ban general loitering: it targets known drug dealers, drug purchasers, and gang members who loiter in a manner showing intent to sell, buy drugs, or engage in gang activity. Violators face a misdemeanor, and the ordinance only applies to people with a qualifying conviction in the past year.
Memphis Drug and Gang Loitering Rule
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 10-8-9 — Regulation of drug/gang-related lingering or loitering
C. Prohibited conduct. It shall be a violation of this section for any person who is a known drug dealer or purchaser, as defined in this section, to loiter in any public place in a manner and under circumstances manifesting the purpose of selling or purchasing illegal drugs or for any known gang associate/member, as defined in this section, to loiter in any public place in a manner and under c...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Memphis Code § 9-88-2 bans smoking in public elevators, MATA buses, hospital lobbies, theaters, and every restaurant seating 50 or more unless it maintains an adequate nonsmoking section. It's an enclosed-space law, not an outdoor one. Memphis has no ordinance barring smoking in parks, sidewalks or open-air patios.
Memphis Public Place Smoking Ban
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code § 9-88-2
Smoking in certain enclosed areas has been determined to be injurious to human health, to constitute a source annoyance and discomfort to nonsmokers, and to be a public nuisance. Therefore: A. Smoking shall be unlawful and prohibited in: 1. All public elevators; 2. All Memphis Area Transit Authority buses; ... 7. All publicly or privately owned restaurants or other eating establishments, as def...
Jaywalking
Memphis Code § 11-28-4 bans mid-block jaywalking only between two intersections where traffic signals are actively operating: there, pedestrians must use a marked crosswalk. Everywhere else, crossing outside a crosswalk is legal but the pedestrian must yield to all vehicles, and the fine for crossing at other than a crosswalk is $40.00.
Memphis Mid-Block Crossing & Jaywalking Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code § 11-28-4
A.Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.B.Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.C.Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a p...
Public Alcohol Use
Memphis bans open containers and public consumption of alcohol on streets, sidewalks, and other city-controlled areas inside the Central Business Improvement District. Sec. 7-4-15 makes it unlawful to drink or hold an unsealed alcoholic beverage in these public spaces unless you're a patron of a licensed venue, at a permitted special event, or inside the Beale Street Historic District.
Memphis Downtown Open Container Alcohol Ban
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code § 7-4-15
A.It is unlawful for any person or persons, while in or on any streets, sidewalks, alleyways, parking areas, bus and trolley stops and shelters, or other open areas operated and controlled by the city within the central business improvement district, defined in sections 12-32-2 and 12-44-2, to consume any alcoholic beverage as defined in section 7-4-1, or to possess for the purpose of consumpti...
Looking for Shelby County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Memphis city rules.
Public Conduct in Shelby County →