Fire Regulations in Shelby County, TN (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Fireworks
Shelby County bans the sale or use of fireworks outright except where state law authorizes it. A public fireworks display is legal only with a permit issued by the state fire marshal, not the county.
Fireworks Sale and Use Ban in Shelby County
Significant RestrictionsShelby County Code §§ 22-36, 22-37
Sec. 22-36. - Sale or use prohibited. The sale or use of fireworks is prohibited, except as authorized by state law. (Code 1992, § 22-36; Priv. Acts 1961, ch. 405, § 1) State law reference(s)--Authorized fireworks, T.C.A. § 68-104-108. Sec. 22-37. - Public displays with permit. Nothing in this article shall restrict or prohibit public displays of fireworks when a permit has been issued by the s...
Brush Clearance
Unincorporated Shelby County property owners must cut rank weeds, grasses, and underbrush the county health department deems a health or traffic hazard. Growth over 12 inches is presumed harborage for rodents and mosquitoes. Owners get 10 days' written notice; ignore it and the county cuts the lot, bills the owner, and files a lien.
Shelby County Harmful Vegetation & Brush Clearance
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code § 16-111(a)
The board of county commissioners is authorized to regulate and control by ordinance the cutting of rank weeds, grasses or other underbrush deemed in the discretion of the board to constitute a health or traffic hazard to the people. For the purpose of this division, harmful vegetation shall mean high grasses, vines and noxious growth of any kind, including trees and shrubbery that overhang and...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning in Shelby County is prohibited except by permit. The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department Air Pollution Control Section issues burn permits under Shelby County (3-16) and Memphis City (16-50) air codes. Only on-site trees and brush may burn; a $100 fee applies.
Shelby County Outdoor Burning Rules (Health Department Permit)
Heavy RestrictionsMemphis & Shelby County Health Dept., Air Pollution Control (Shelby County code 3-16)
Open burning in Shelby County is prohibited. Exceptions can be granted under specific conditions which do not interfere with the maintenance of acceptable air quality or create a public nuisance. Only trees and brush from the burn site may be burned. Material may not be hauled in from other sites.
Smoke Detectors
Shelby County requires every short-term rental unit to have UL 217-listed smoke alarms in each sleeping area and along the escape path out of it, plus a five-pound ABC fire extinguisher, before the county clerk's office will issue a rental permit under Code § 8-810(b).
Shelby County STR Smoke Alarm Rule
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code § 8-810(b)
The permit holder shall meet all applicable requires of the state and local building and fire safety codes and shall locate a five-pound fire extinguisher (rated for A, B and C fires) in each unit. Approved smoke alarms, meeting Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 217 standards, shall be installed as follows: (1) In all sleeping areas (2) In every room in the path of the means egress from the sleeping...
Propane Storage
Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Shelby County is regulated by the adopted 2021 International Fire Code (county code Chapter 22), enforced by the Shelby County Fire Department. Fire Code Chapter 61 sets container, separation, and permit rules. Large aggregate quantities need a permit; household grill cylinders are generally exempt.
Shelby County Propane / LP-Gas Storage (2021 IFC Ch. 61)
Some RestrictionsShelby County Ordinance adopting 2021 IFC (County Code Ch. 22, Art. II)
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE INCLUDING CERTAIN APPENDICES IN THAT CODE... Appendix A - Permit, Plans and Inspection Fees... shall take effect in unincorporated areas of Shelby County.
Fire Regulations by City in Shelby County
1 cities in Shelby County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Shelby County ordinances
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