Property Maintenance in Shelby County, TN (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Property Blight
In unincorporated Shelby County, the litter-control division of the Code (Chapter 44) prohibits maintaining a nuisance and defines urban blight from deteriorated property. Blighted and nuisance properties are prosecuted in the Shelby County Environmental Court, the court of original jurisdiction for all county ordinance violations.
Shelby County Property Blight & Nuisance Rules
Heavy RestrictionsShelby County Code sec. 44-87 (Litter Control definitions)
Nuisance means structures or buildings in such a state of deterioration or abandonment that it is a blighting influence on neighboring properties. The fact that buildings on neighboring properties are abandoned or deteriorated is not a defense.
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Shelby County Code section 44-89 bars anyone in charge of property, improved or vacant, from allowing litter to accumulate, and section 44-88 prohibits high weeds that permit urban blight. Vacant lots are enforced through the Environmental Court, which can also pursue vacant nuisance buildings under the Neighborhood Preservation Act.
Shelby County Vacant Lot & Litter Rules
Heavy RestrictionsShelby County Code sec. 44-89 (Accumulation of litter)
A person in possession or in charge of or in control of any property, improved or vacant, shall not allow litter to accumulate on the property, except property legally designated for that use.
Property Maintenance by City in Shelby County
1 cities in Shelby County have their own property maintenance rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Shelby County ordinances
See every category we cover for Shelby County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Shelby County Ordinance Hub →