How do I report an illegal sign?

File a report using the City of Memphis 311 system with photos and exact location information; Construction Code Enforcement will triage the report.

What information should I provide?

Provide photos, the address or nearest cross-streets, description of sign type, and whether it appears hazardous or illegal.

Will the city remove the sign immediately?

Removal depends on inspection and enforcement priority; immediate hazards receive priority, while nonhazardous signs follow normal abatement procedures.

Illegal Sign Complaint Form - New South Memphis

Signs and Advertising Tennessee 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026

New South Memphis, Tennessee residents can file complaints about illegal signs through city channels to request inspection and removal. This guide explains who enforces sign rules, what information to provide, how enforcement and penalties typically work, and where to find official forms and contacts for Code Enforcement and Planning.

Use photos, exact location, and any permit numbers when you report to speed response times.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Memphis enforces sign and advertising rules through Code Enforcement and the Construction Code Enforcement office; members of the public report illegal or hazardous signs using the city 311 reporting system online or by phone^[1]. The specific civil penalties, daily fines, or statutory fine amounts for unlawful signs are not specified on the cited ordinance page and must be confirmed with the official code or the enforcing office Code of Ordinances - Signs^[2].

Fines: not specified on the cited page; see the municipal code for exact amounts and per-day calculations.^[2]
Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences may be treated differently, but escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary actions: removal orders, abatement, seizure of illegal signs, and court actions are typical remedies available to the city; specific procedures should be confirmed with Construction Code Enforcement.
Enforcer and reporting: Construction Code Enforcement / Code Enforcement respond to reports; file via 311 for fastest processing.^[1]
Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are governed by the municipal code or departmental rules and are not specified on the cited page; contact the enforcing office to learn appeal deadlines.

If a sign is an immediate public hazard, report it as urgent to 311 for priority response.

Applications & Forms

Sign permits, variances, or temporary sign applications are administered by Construction Code Enforcement and Planning; available permit forms or online submittal portals are listed on the city's permit pages Construction Code Enforcement^[3]. If no specific form for illegal-sign complaints is published, use the 311 report intake to initiate enforcement.

Many complaints are resolved by inspection and voluntary removal before fines are assessed.

How enforcement typically works

Investigation: Code Enforcement inspects and documents alleged violations.
Notice: property owner receives notice to remove or obtain permit if applicable.
Abatement: city may remove unauthorized signs if owner does not comply.

Action steps

Document the sign: take clear photos, note the exact address or nearest cross-streets, date and time.
Report: file a 311 report online or by phone and attach photos for faster processing.^[1]
Follow up: keep the report number and check with Construction Code Enforcement for status.

FAQ

How do I report an illegal sign?: File a report using the City of Memphis 311 system with photos and exact location information; Construction Code Enforcement will triage the report.
What information should I provide?: Provide photos, the address or nearest cross-streets, description of sign type, and whether it appears hazardous or illegal.
Will the city remove the sign immediately?: Removal depends on inspection and enforcement priority; immediate hazards receive priority, while nonhazardous signs follow normal abatement procedures.

How-To

Take clear photos of the sign and note the exact location.
Submit a 311 report online or by phone with the photos and details.^[1]
Request a status update from Construction Code Enforcement using the report number.
If the sign remains, ask about appeal or escalation options with the enforcing office.

Key Takeaways

Report illegal signs via Memphis 311 with photos for fastest response.
Enforcement is handled by Construction Code Enforcement and municipal Code Enforcement.
Exact fines and escalation details are in the municipal code and should be checked with the enforcing office.