Memphis, TN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $250 flat, encroachments/easements/street closures
- Issuing office
- City of Memphis Division of Engineering
- Advance notice required
- 10 calendar days
- Unpermitted encroachment penalty
- Class C misdemeanor, $50/day
- Fee waiver eligible
- City crews, contractors, emergencies, permitted events
Summary
Memphis requires a permit from the Division of Engineering before placing a street closure, easement, or encroachment in the public right-of-way, and charges a flat $250 processing fee under City Code § 2-22-7. Unpermitted work is a Class C misdemeanor with a daily fine.
A.For the processing of engineering permits and the performance of engineering administration in the processing of final plans for land development projects ... k.Street Closures, Easements, Encroachments .....250.00 ... C.Engineering permit fees:1....Applicants will be required to give the division of engineering at least ten calendar days of advance notice on all permit requests unless the request is associated with a natural disaster or public emergency. ... 3.Penalty of violation: It shall be a violation of this chapter for any individual to block a portion of the public right-of-way or commence activity that requires a permit without first obtaining the required permit from the division of engineering. Anyone found in violation of this chapter commits a Class C misdemeanor and shall be subject to a $50.00 fine for each day that the violation remains in effect.
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
Section 2-22-7, 'Engineering Administration and Permit Fees,' sits in Chapter 2-22, which creates and governs the city's Division of Engineering under the city engineer. 00 per day. Subsection C requires the division of engineering to receive at least ten calendar days' advance notice on all permit requests, unless the request follows a natural disaster or public emergency, and it lets the division waive the associated fees for city crews, city contractors, federal/state/county infrastructure projects, and police-approved special events or public-safety closures. 00 fine for each day that the violation remains in effect, on top of the permit fees the violator must still pay retroactively.
Violations & Fines
Blocking any part of the public right-of-way, or starting encroachment, easement, or street-closure work that needs a permit before the Division of Engineering issues one, is a Class C misdemeanor under § 2-22-7(C)(3). Each day the unpermitted encroachment continues draws its own $50.00 fine, and the violator must still pay the associated permit fees retroactively once cited.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an encroachment permit cost in Memphis?
How much notice does Memphis need before an encroachment permit request?
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Sources & Official References
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