Tennessee preempts local plastic bag bans, fees, and taxes under TCA 68-211-1101. Memphis cannot adopt a single-use plastic bag ordinance or charge a per-bag fee. Voluntary retailer programs and recycling are unaffected.
Tennessee's Retail Accountability Act preemption (TCA 68-211-1101, enacted 2019) prohibits any city or county from adopting, enforcing, or administering any ordinance regulating the use, disposition, sale, or imposition of fees on auxiliary containers, including plastic bags, paper bags, foam containers, and similar items. The law was a direct response to local bag-fee proposals in Memphis, Nashville, and other Tennessee cities. As a result, Memphis cannot impose a per-bag tax, ban polystyrene, or require reusable bags at retailers. Voluntary retailer take-back programs and at-store plastic bag recycling continue to operate, and individual stores may charge for bags as a private business decision.
Because Memphis cannot regulate plastic bags, there are no local penalties for using or distributing them. Any local ordinance attempting a ban would be unenforceable and challenged under TCA 68-211-1101 preemption.
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...
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