Memphis, TN Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed for skateboards
- No, manually propelled vehicles are exempt
- Must yield to
- Pedestrians and the Main Street trolley
- Signal required
- Verbal or bell, no whistle or siren
- Penalty
- $15.00 to $50.00 misdemeanor fine
- Enforcing body
- Center City Commission
Summary
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.
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-of-way to any pedestrian or trolley.2.Any operator of a bicycle, skateboard, or other manually propelled vehicle or non-motorized wheeled vehicle shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. The audible signal shall be given verbally or via a bell, and shall not be given via a whistle or siren.3.No person shall park a bicycle or non-motorized wheeled vehicle upon the common mall area in such a manner as to obstruct pedestrian or trolley traffic.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Charter: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
' Sec. A bars any motorized or nonmotorized wheeled vehicle from the mall, other than police, fire and other emergency vehicles, official mall transit vehicles and wheelchairs, unless the Center City Commission (CCC) has issued a permit, and permits go out only for special events, construction or renovation of buildings facing the mall, or mall maintenance; regular delivery vehicles are barred outright and must use designated loading zones or alleys instead. Skateboards fall under a separate carve-out in Sec. C: bicycles, skateboards and other manually propelled vehicles, along with non-motorized wheeled vehicles such as pedi-cabs, may operate on the common mall area without a CCC permit, but only under three operating rules.
A rider must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian or trolley; must give an audible signal, verbally or by bell, before overtaking and passing a pedestrian, and a whistle or siren does not count; and cannot park a skateboard or non-motorized vehicle in a way that obstructs pedestrian or trolley traffic. The mall itself is a designated tow-away zone under Sec. 11-40-3 for any illegally parked vehicle. Chapter 12-48 carries its own penalty clause rather than defaulting to the citywide general fine: Sec. 00.
Violations & Fines
Skating on the common mall area without yielding to pedestrians and trolleys, or without giving an audible verbal or bell signal before passing, violates Sec. 12-48-7.C and is a misdemeanor under Sec. 12-48-8: a fine of not less than $15.00 nor more than $50.00. Riding a motorized wheeled device on the mall without a Center City Commission permit carries the same penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skateboard on the Main Street Mall in Memphis?
What's the fine for breaking the mall skateboard rules?
Can I ride a motorized scooter on the mall instead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
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