Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Shelby County, TN (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
In unincorporated Shelby County, the owner of any lot abutting a public street must keep the adjacent sidewalk clean, open for foot traffic, and in good repair. Ignore a county engineer's written notice to fix a broken sidewalk and the county can do the work itself and bill you for it, plus attach the cost as a lien or special tax on your property.
Shelby County Sidewalk Repair Responsibility
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code Sec. 38-45(2)
It shall be the duty of every owner of property, whether vacant or occupied, within the unincorporated areas of the county abutting on or adjacent to, any street, avenue, parkway, or other public street of the county, to keep clean and open for public passage all public sidewalks or walkways abutting on or adjacent to such property, and to keep such sidewalks or walkways in good repair and cond...
Obstruction Rules
Blocking a public sidewalk or walkway in unincorporated Shelby County with boxes, barrels or anything else that interferes with pedestrian passage is an offense under Sec. 38-64. Companion sections bar obstructing gutters next to sidewalks, letting gates or doors swing outward over a sidewalk, and draining building water across the walking surface.
Shelby County Sidewalk Obstruction Rules
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code Sec. 38-64
It shall be an offense to obstruct any sidewalk or walkway with boxes, barrels, or other things interfering with the free passageway of the public or which may render such sidewalk or walkway unsafe for public travel.
Encroachment Permits
Anyone doing work on a sidewalk, driveway apron, or the street area from the curb to the property line in unincorporated Shelby County must get a work permit from the county engineer first. The permit costs $10.00 and must stay posted at the job site until an inspector signs off.
Shelby County Sidewalk & Driveway Work Permit
Some RestrictionsShelby County Code Sec. 38-51
Except for the laying or construction of a sidewalk in a developing area as provided for in this article, it shall be an offense for any person to lay, construct, repair or rebuild a sidewalk, hire others to work upon, or knowingly permit work to be done on any part of a sidewalk or driveway apron or street from the curb to the property line, without first obtaining a permit from the county eng...
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules by City in Shelby County
1 cities in Shelby County have their own sidewalk & pedestrian rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Shelby County ordinances
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