Memphis Rideshare Pickup Zone Ordinance - How-To
Designing a safe and legal rideshare pickup zone for an event in Memphis, Tennessee requires coordinating with city departments, following traffic and special-event rules, and securing any required permits. This guide explains the typical steps event organizers should follow, how enforcement works, and where to find official rules and applications.
Requirements & Process
Most rideshare pickup zones for events are implemented as part of a special event traffic plan or temporary traffic control for sidewalks or curb space. Event organizers should consult the city special-events permit procedures and the municipal traffic code before designating a pickup area.
Start by contacting the city office that handles special events and traffic control to request guidance on location, signage, and any lane or curb restrictions. The municipal code and special event permit pages include applicable requirements and submission instructions; check them early in your planning timeline city code[1].
Typical planning steps
- Draft a traffic control and pedestrian plan showing the proposed pickup zone and access routes.
- Submit the special event permit application and any required diagrams to the city's event permitting office special event permits[2].
- Coordinate with Memphis Police Department or traffic engineers for traffic control, signage, or officer deployment if required.
- Notify nearby businesses and residents if the pickup zone affects curb access or parking.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement of pickup zones and temporary traffic controls is handled by the city enforcement units specified in the municipal code and by the police department. The municipal code and special event permit materials describe enforcement authority and penalties; specific fines or fee amounts are not always listed explicitly on permit pages.
When exact fine amounts, escalation rules, or continuing-offence penalties are not printed on an official permit or code page, this guide states that the figures are "not specified on the cited page" and points to the controlling authority.
- Fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the municipal code and permit terms for monetary penalties municipal code[1].
- Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offence details are not specified on the cited permit pages; enforcement discretion may apply.
- Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease use of the zone, removal of signage, towing or relocation of vehicles where authorized, and court actions are possible under city traffic and public-works authority.
- Enforcer & complaints: Memphis Police Department and City Public Works handle on-site enforcement and complaints; file complaints or request traffic control through the city's event permitting contacts police department[3].
- Appeals/review: permit decisions and enforcement actions typically have appeal routes described in permit denial or citation notices; time limits are not specified on the cited permit pages and should be confirmed with the issuing office.
Applications & Forms
The city publishes a special event permit application and guidance for temporary traffic control; the specific form name, number, fee, and submission method vary by event type and are not always consolidated in one spot on the public page. If a form or fee is not visible on the official permit page, it is "not specified on the cited page" and you should contact the permitting office directly for the current application and fee schedule special event permits[2].
How-To
- Contact the city's special event permitting office to confirm whether your event needs a temporary traffic control plan and a designated rideshare pickup zone.
- Prepare a site plan showing the proposed pickup location, signage, ADA access, and passenger queuing areas.
- Submit the special event permit application with your traffic control plan and any required insurance or indemnification documents.
- Coordinate with Memphis Police Department or the city traffic engineer for any required officer presence or lane closures.
- Install approved signage and markings per the city's temporary traffic control requirements on the event day.
- Monitor the pickup zone during the event and comply with any enforcement directives; document any on-site incidents for permit records.
FAQ
- Do I need a permit to create a temporary rideshare pickup zone for an event?
- Usually yes; most pickup zones used in public rights-of-way are part of a special event traffic plan and require a permit from the city event permitting office.
- Who enforces incorrect use of a rideshare pickup zone?
- Memphis Police Department and city public-works or parking enforcement typically enforce violations and respond to complaints.
- Where do I find the official rules and the application form?
- See the municipal code and the city's special event permit pages for governing rules and application instructions; contact the permitting office if forms or fees are not listed.
Key Takeaways
- Start permitting early and include a detailed traffic control plan.
- Enforcement is handled by city enforcement units and Memphis Police Department; fines and procedures may be specified in permit terms.
- When in doubt, request written guidance from the permitting office to avoid last-minute compliance issues.