Backyard composting is allowed in Shelby County and has no dedicated permit, but compost and organic material must be managed so it does not become harmful vegetation, attract rodents, or run off the property under county code.
The Code of Shelby County does not prohibit residential backyard composting, and no special county permit is required for a home compost pile. Composting is a normal yard practice, but it intersects several county rules. Chapter 16, Article IV addresses vegetation and debris; a compost or yard-waste pile that harbors rodents or breeds mosquitoes can be treated as a nuisance the Health Department may order abated. The Unified Development Code requires that landscaped areas be managed, to the extent possible, to prevent the runoff of top soil and composting materials. Commercial-scale composting operations are a distinct regulated land use requiring appropriate zoning. Residents should keep piles contained, away from property lines, and free of food scraps that draw pests.
A tidy backyard compost bin is not a violation. A pile that harbors rats or breeds mosquitoes can be cited as harmful vegetation under Chapter 16 and abated by the Health Department, and runoff onto neighbors can violate UDC provisions.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Memphis, TN
The City of Memphis does not regulate yard ornaments on private property. Statuary, religious displays, and decorative landscape elements are generally allow...
Memphis, TN
Memphis has no ordinance setting size, height, or hours limits for inflatable holiday displays on private residential property. Wind and severe weather (thun...
Memphis, TN
Memphis does not impose specific install-by or take-down-by dates for holiday lights on private property. Holiday-light regulation in Memphis is overwhelming...
Memphis, TN
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Memphis require permits from Construction Code Enforcement for gas-line installation, electrical work, plumbing, and any structu...
Memphis, TN
Memphis - the global capital of dry-rub barbecue - has no smoker-specific ordinance for single-family use, and the cultural and culinary tradition of backyar...
Memphis, TN
Memphis adopts the International Fire Code through Chapter 9 (Fire Prevention) with local amendments, including IFC Section 308 prohibiting open-flame cookin...
See how Memphis's composting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.