Memphis property owners must maintain premises free of rats, mice, and other vectors. Shelby County Health Department's Vector Control Program responds to complaints, and Code Enforcement can cite owners whose blight or trash conditions harbor rodents.
Under Memphis Code Chapter 8 (Health and Sanitation) and Chapter 25 (Code Enforcement), every property owner is responsible for keeping structures and yards free of conditions that attract rodents, including overflowing trash, uncovered compost, dense brush, and abandoned vehicles. The Shelby County Health Department's Vector Control program operates baiting routes and responds to citizen complaints filed at 311. Inspectors may enter to inspect after notice. Owners receive a written notice of violation and must abate within a stated period, often 10 days, or face fines accruing daily. Persistent infestations on commercial properties can result in additional citations under the food-establishment rules.
Allowing rodent harborage, refusing inspector access, or failing to abate within the notice period can result in fines, environmental court referral, and re-inspection fees billed to the owner.
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