COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCE GUIDE
The City of Memphis gets questions every day from local and national media. Our hope is that the Communications Resource Guide will assist our media partners in accurately reporting on our municipal processes.
Have Questions?
If you’re a member of the media with a request for information or an interview, please contact:
Penelope Huston, Chief Communications Officer [email protected]
Arlenia Cole,Media Affairs Manager
Jeni Diprizio,Communications and Media Manager
Have questions for the City Council, a City Division, or a partner agency?
Media Contacts:
- City Council: Council office 901-636-6786
- Memphis Light, Gas and Water: [email protected]
- Memphis Police Department: [email protected]
- Memphis Fire Department: Qwanesha Ward, [email protected]
- Memphis Animal Services: Amanda Baggot, [email protected]
- Memphis Public Libraries: Meg Green, [email protected]
- Downtown Memphis Commission: [email protected]
- Memphis Area Transit Authority: Chundra Smith, [email protected]
- Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau: Kevin Kern, [email protected]
City of Memphis and Partner Websites
| Memphis Police | https://www.memphispolice.org/ |
Memphis Fire | https://www.memphistn.gov/mfd/ |
Memphis Parks | https://memphisparks.com/ |
Memphis Libraries | https://www.memphislibrary.org/ |
Memphis Animal Services | https://memphisanimalservices.com/ |
311 | https://311.memphistn.gov/public |
| Memphis City Beautiful | https://memphiscitybeautiful.org/ |
| Division of Planning & Development | https://www.develop901.com/ |
| Memphis Housing Authority | https://www.memphisha.org/ |
| Office of Youth Services | https://memphistn.gov/youth-services/ |
| HCD | https://memphistn.gov/hcd/ |
| Boards & Commission | https://www.memphistn.gov/boards-and-commissions/ |
| City Council | https://memphistn.gov/city-council/ |
| Memphis Light, Gas, and Water | https://www.mlgw.com/ |
| EDGE | https://edgemem.com/ |
| DMC | https://downtownmemphis.com/ |
Partner Agency Information
MATA. The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is the public transportation provider for Memphis, Tennessee. MATA transports customers in the City of Memphis and parts of Shelby County on fixed-route buses, paratransit vehicles, and demand responsive service. While the City of Memphis provides some funding to MATA, it has its own board and handles its own budget.
MLGW. MLGW is the largest three-service municipal utility in the U.S., with more than 420,000 customers. It is owned by the City of Memphis. Since 1939, MLGW has provided electricity, natural gas, and water service for residents of Memphis and Shelby County. MLGW has its own Board of Commissioner and budget, however items over $TK must be approved by Memphis City Council.
DMC. The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) drives Downtown’s role as the economic, cultural, and governmental core of the city and county. The DMC is solely funded by an assessment on commercial property in the Central Business Improvement District (CBID), which is reinvested into funding incentives and activations designed to support growth of both Downtown’s population and appraised commercial property values.
MRPP. The Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) is the nonprofit organization that manages and develops the various riverfront parks and amenities located along the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee on behalf of the city government. The MPPP is funded by the City of Memphis but has its own Board of Directors and staff separate from the Memphis Parks Division.
Memphis City Beautiful. Memphis City Beautiful engages individuals to take greater responsibility for their communities, striving to change behaviors and improve communities by focusing on litter prevention and beautification programs. It was officially established by a city ordinance on July 1, 1930, making it the first and oldest beautification commission in the nation. Its mission was to transform and keep Memphis a beautiful, healthful and safe place in which to live. It is here where residents can participate in programs like Adopt-A-Park, borrow rakes, shovels, brooms and tools from the Tool Bank, or order Special Event Litter and Recycle Bins for events. The Memphis Clean City Guide is a good resource for information about issues pertaining to litter, dumping, high weeds, problem properties, code violations, sidewalks, storm drains, graffiti and so much more!
Memphis Zoo. In partnership with the City of Memphis, the non profit, Memphis Zoological Society operates and manages the Memphis Zoo. The Memphis Zoo is home to 3500 animals and is consistently ranked as one of the best zoos in the United States. While the City of Memphis financially contributes to the zoo, the Memphis Zoological Society is responsible for its budget, marketing, and operation.
Memphis Botanic Gardens. In 1964, the Memphis Botanic Garden Foundation was formed and contracted with the City of Memphis to be the caretakers of the Memphis Botanic Garden. The Memphis Botanic Garden is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to being an exemplary center for horticulture and environmental enrichment. Serving over 40,000 school-aged children annually, and hosting over 260,000 visitors each year, Memphis Botanic Garden strives to enhance lives by connecting people with nature, increasing awareness and appreciation of our environment. The 96-acre property includes 30 specialty gardens, a TUFC Level 4 & ArbNet Level 2 Arboretum, a 2.5-acre children’s garden, and an outdoor event amphitheater.
Pink Palace. The MOSH Museums include the Pink Palace Mansion, Planetarium, Lichterman Nature Center, Mallory- Neely Historic Property and the Coon Creek Science Center. The City of Memphis owns the properties and they are managed by the non profit, Memphis Museums, INC.
Overton Park. Overton Park is owned by the City of Memphis but the Overton Park Conservancy manages the property.
Memphis Codes and Ordinances: Click Here
Memphis City Council Rules of Procedure Click Here
Is it a city code or a resolution? An ordinance is a permanent, legally binding law enacted by a local government (like a city council) that governs a municipality’s operations and can impose restrictions on the community or the government itself. A resolution, on the other hand, is a less formal expression of the governing body’s will or a decision on a specific matter, often for a specific event or purpose
What is the City Council process for passing an ordinance? City council has to vote on an ordinance three times for it to go into effect. A resolution requires just one vote.
Public Safety Stories
Memphis Police Policies & Procedures
Information about MPD Policies and Procedures can be found at Click Here
Memphis Police Public Safety Dashboard
Updated daily using MPD data Click Here
Do you need a police report? You can pick up police reports at Central Records. 170 N. Main.
Memphis/Shelby Crime Commission. The Crime Commission is a private, non-profit corporation governed by a diverse 50-member board of directors. It is the leading community-based entity focused on public safety. Since its creation in 1997, the Crime Commission’s mission has been to improve public safety by identifying and advocating best practices to prevent and reduce crime.
Memphis and Shelby County Courts
Memphis City Court handles mostly traffic issues. Most often, this court is where you go when you get a speeding ticket written by the Memphis Police. The Memphis Court Clerk is where you pay fines and fees for the Memphis City Court.
Shelby County General Sessions Court is a county court with two divisions: criminal and civil. The Civil is located at 140 Adams. The Civil Division is located at 201 Poplar. It handles things like small claims, evictions, and claims up to $25,000. The Criminal Division handles misdemeanors and felonies. This is the first court where a defendant appears after being arrested. Depending on the type of case, it may stay in this court or proceed to the State of Tennessee Criminal Court. Environmental Court is part of Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court, which is where City of Memphis Code Enforcement cases are located. Records for cases are located at the General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office.
Shelby County Criminal Court. Cases are brought to Shelby County Criminal Court either by being indicted by the Grand Jury or held to state by General Sessions Court. The Criminal Court Clerk holds records for cases in Shelby County Criminal Court, which is located at 201 Poplar Ave.
Shelby County Circuit Court. The Shelby County Circuit Court, located at 140 Adams, hears a wide range of civil cases, including appeals from lower courts, auto accidents, breach of contract, divorce, personal injury, and wrongful death. Records for cases in this court can be found at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.
Shelby County Probate Court is also located at 140 Adams. It is where a person files for conservatorship and guardianship, wills, and name changes. The Probate Court Clerk holds these records.
Shelby County Juvenile Court handles matters involving juveniles. The Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office is who you reach out to for matters involving cases in this court. This court is located at 616 Adams.
Shelby County Resources.
Who’s in Jail: Click Here
Criminal case information: Click Here
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Resources.
Sex Offender Registry: Click Here
TBI’s Most Wanted: Click Here
Drug Offender Registry: Click Here
Animal Abuse Registry: Click Here
Tax and Incentive Stories
Taxes.
Does someone owe taxes? You can check online. Keep in mind, property owners may be on a payment plan for delinquent taxes or they may have paid and it has not been updated in the system.
City taxes : Click Here
Shelby County taxes: Click Here
Taxpayer Assistance Programs: Click Here
Businesses pay property tax on the property they own. They also pay Personal Property tax on equipment for their business. Residents and businesses pay taxes in Memphis and Shelby County. These bills are separate and come from each entity.
Property Tax Reappraisal and Certified Tax Rate. Under state law, cities and counties are prohibited from having a tax revenue windfall from increases in property reappraisals. This video explains the process.
Property Tax information Click Here
Tax Incentives
TIF. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program encourages development in the City of Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County by investing a portion of any increase in property taxes within the designated TIF area to finance growth.
The EDGE TIF program collects the increase in property taxes annually and allocates them to the project, as is outlined in the approved Economic Impact Plan. The associated Development Agreement describes what funds are collected, how the funds will be disbursed, and for what purpose the funds can be used.
PILOT. PILOT stands for Payment in Lieu of Tax and is a form of tax incentive used to support development in the state of Tennessee. A PILOT is a temporary, partial reduction of future real and/or personal property taxes. In return for the reduction in taxes, the PILOT applicant commits to projects that benefit the community, but that would not occur without the PILOT. Those projects may include creating or retaining jobs with specified payroll and benefits; making an agreed upon capital investment in the area; and contracting with local minority/women/small firms. In Memphis and Shelby County, PILOTS can be awarded by several boards, agencies and municipalities, depending on the type of PILOT and the location of the property being requested.
EDGE is a good place to start if you have questions about TIF’s, PILOT’s and other economic development tools. Click Here
Revenue versus General Obligation Bonds. When municipalities issue bonds to fund projects, they usually issue general obligation bonds or revenue bonds. General obligation, or GO, bonds are backed by the issuing municipality’s general revenue, while revenue bonds are supported by a specific revenue source. Here is an explanation of the two types.
Property Stories
311
If you or your station gets a call about a 311 complaint. Please ask the caller/interviewee for the tracking number. We need the tracking number associated with the call to look it up in the system. Check out the dashboard for overall numbers and track tickets at the link below. Click Here
Who owns a piece of property?
You can check for that on the Shelby County Register of Deeds office. Click Here
Trash Pickup and schedule Click Here
Permits, Projects, Code Enforcement, Zoning and much more!
Memphis Department of Housing Code Enforcement versus Memphis- Shelby County Code Enforcement: When it comes to code enforcement, where you land depends on what you are looking for. If you want information about new construction, the Memphis-Shelby County Code Enforcement is where you want to be. If you are doing a story about a messy lot, or tires on a property then you want Memphis Code Enforcement.
The purpose of the Department of Housing/Code Enforcement is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare in existing buildings used for dwelling purposes. The department administers and enforces sections of the City of Memphis Code of Ordinances. These ordinances regulate:
- Storage of inoperable or abandoned vehicles on a public and private property
- Minimum housing standards for existing dwellings, and environmental conditions which may contribute to deterioration in the community
- Abandoned commercial structures, which may contribute to deterioration in the community
Memphis Shelby County Construction Code Enforcement is responsible for making sure building construction meets safety standards. The department reviews plans, issues construction permits and inspects new buildings for all of Shelby County and its municipalities.
Develop901.com is where you can get information about projects, permits, Code Enforcement, the Unified Development Code, land use, development and zoning.
Memphis 3.0. Memphis 3.0 is our comprehensive plan for the city. Click Here
Zoning Atlas Click Here
Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (Memphis MPO), created in 1977, is responsible for the transportation policy development, planning, and programming for the counties of Shelby and Fayette, Tennessee, and DeSoto and Marshall Counties, Mississippi. Click Here
Short Term Rental Information
List of requirements for the (STRR).
All short-term rentals existing prior to July 1, 2023, are exempted from the permit requirement, until the following:
- Property sold
- Transferred
Ceases to operate as a rental for more than 30 consecutive months.
Owner responsible and liable to collect and remit all occupancy and sales taxes to the City of Memphis
- Occupancy – $2.00 per pair occupied room per night
- 3.5% tax rate
- Any owner of more than one short term rental property is required to get a permit for each property.
- If more than one short term rental property exists within a single dwelling, then each unit of that dwelling shall be required to be permitted.
- ID required of an adult, entity, or business “responsible party” residing or located within 50 miles of the short-term rental to respond to alleged code and zoning violations.
- Public Works to inspect unit prior to insurance of permit.
- Permit required to operate after July 1, 2023.
- $300 application fee
- $150 annual renewal fee
- Site plan, drawn to scale, showing each unit and other structures and site features.
- Proof of owner’s current ownership of the short-term rental property.
- Proof that the owner’s current on any local property taxes owed.
- Verification of insurance evidencing fire, hazard, and liability coverage of not less than $1,000,000.00.
- Renters must be at least 18 years old.
- All occupancies must be for a minimum of 24-hour period, hourly rates and partial days are not permitted
You can search for short term rental applications, permits and renewals at Click Here
What are the penalties for failure to comply? The Code of Ordinances provides a fine of not more than $50.00 for each offense upon conviction of failure to comply. Each day the owner/occupant fails to comply with said order shall constitute an additional offense.
Who owns a certain property in Memphis or Shelby County? Click Here
Finance Stories
Budgets
The Memphis City Council is responsible for approving budgets and setting the tax rate.
There is an Operating Budget and a Capital Improvement Budget. Capital Improvement budgets (CIP) focus on long term, large scale projects, while operating budgets cover day-to day expenses and recurring costs for a fiscal year.
2025 Operating budget Click Here
2025-2029 Capital Improvement budget Click Here
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
A Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is an annual report that provides accurate and complete information concerning the governmental entity’s financial management.
Here is a short video about CAFR’s. Click Here
2024 Annual Report Click Here
Finance documents Click Here
Finance Tracker Click Here
City of Memphis Contracts Click Here
Roads/Road Safety
State roads versus city roads. Inside the Memphis city limits are a significant number of state roads. In most instances, the State of Tennessee is responsible for paving and maintaining the state routes. Sometimes, especially in terms of inclement weather, the City of Memphis takes action.
Map of state roads inside Memphis: Click Here
Potholes. City of Memphis Public Works crews fill potholes year round. In 2024, they filled 82,149 potholes on Memphis streets. We do not fill potholes on private property, which includes malls, strip malls, and other businesses. The City of Memphis does not fill potholes on the interstate, the Tennessee Department of Transportation is your contact for that.
Memphis has its own asphalt plant and can make its own hot asphalt. In cold weather, cold mix can be used. For information about how potholes are formed, Click Here
What is the difference between a pothole and sinkhole? A pothole is a chunk of asphalt that is missing from the roadway. A sinkhole is where the asphalt is intact but has sunk due to instability of the ground beneath it.
Who is responsible for repairs on a public street? It may be the City of Memphis or MLGW depending on the situation. It will take a visual inspection to determine which agency is responsible.
Potholes on private property.
If you are trying to determine the owner of the property on which the pothole is located, check the parcel on the Shelby County Register of Deeds Office. Click Here
Who pays for pothole damage?
For the City to be responsible for paying any damages for pothole claims, the City must be shown to have had notice of the pothole (i.e., known that the pothole was in the street) prior to it causing damage to your vehicle. The City also must have had a reasonable time in which to repair the pothole after receiving notice.
That time is typically five (5) business days from when the City obtains notice of the pothole. Also, some streets are the responsibility of the State of Tennessee. More information on city claims can be found at Click Here
Pothole detection
The City of Memphis uses AI technology to discover potholes. More information about that can be found here: Click Here
Weather Stories
Severe Weather
The Memphis Office of Emergency Management is the city emergency management agency and is the primary agency for disaster mitigation, planning, preparedness, response and recovery efforts. We coordinate resources and incidents and assist other departments in day to day events, and during emergencies and disasters. In short, Memphis OEM is similar to FEMA, but a local agency, which is extremely beneficial to the community since all disasters happen locally. During severe weather, you can look for updates at Click Here
Shelby County has its own OEM. Please reach out to Shelby County for information not in the Memphis city limits.
Snow/Ice clearing map Click Here
FAQ’s
Sidewalk repair. It is property owners’ responsibility to keep sidewalks adjacent to their property in good condition and free of obstacles. This includes any costs for repairs or maintenance. In addition, the grassy median strips between sidewalks and curbs/streets should be kept clean and mowed. The City of Memphis may only address sidewalk issues relative to curbs, gutters, wheelchair ramps, drains and issues caused by utility poles or signs.
When a violation is discovered, the City of Memphis Division of Engineering will send a notice to the property owner requiring him/her to repair the sidewalk within 30 days. After 30 days, the City will issue a citation and summons for the owner to appear before the Memphis & Shelby County Environmental Court. If a judgment is received, the City will have a contractor repair the sidewalk and will then place a tax lien on the property for the cost of repairs.
Why can’t Animal Services just go onto someone’s property and retrieve a dog?
Animal Services is legally prohibited from entering private property without permission or a warrant. Entering a secured or fenced property without consent constitutes trespassing, which is against the law. Additionally, under Tennessee law (and in most jurisdictions), dogs are considered personal property. Removing a dog from someone’s property without due process could be classified as theft. Unless there is an immediate threat to public safety or a court-issued warrant, Animal Services must follow legal procedures to address concerns involving animals on private property
According to the City of Memphis code, if air conditioning and heating facilities are provided, the owner of the property is required to ensure the air conditioning and heating are properly installed, safely maintained, and in good working condition.
- City Code Enforcement will inspect the property.
- If a violation is found, the property owner or management company will receive a notice of violation to correct and make the necessary repairs.
- The property owner or property management will have 24 hours to repair the problem before the follow-up inspection.
- If repairs are not completed, a summons will be issued requiring the owner to appear in Shelby County Environmental Court.