Report Smoke Odors - New South Memphis City Bylaws

Environmental Protection Tennessee 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

New South Memphis, Tennessee residents who notice persistent smoke odors should report concerns to the city and state agencies that handle public-safety, nuisance and air-quality issues. This guide explains the primary local pathways for reporting smoke odors, how enforcement typically proceeds, what penalties or orders may apply, and clear steps you can take immediately. It focuses on municipal reporting and official contacts so you can act quickly and document the incident for follow-up.

Where to report smoke odors

Start with the City of Memphis 311 service for non-emergency smoke complaints and code enforcement referrals. Use the online portal or call to request an inspection; this creates an official complaint record with the city City of Memphis 311[1]. For active fires or immediate danger, call 911 and contact the Memphis Fire Department.

Report active fire or strong smoke to 911 first, then file a 311 complaint for follow-up.

How the city and state handle smoke complaints

Different agencies may respond depending on the source: the Memphis Fire Department handles active fires and safety hazards; City Code Enforcement investigates nuisance smoke or illegal burning on private property; and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) handles air-quality and open-burning violations when state regulations apply. If multiple agencies are involved, your 311 complaint helps route the issue and documents the timeline.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement authority, penalties and processes depend on the responsible agency and the law cited.

  • Enforcer: Memphis Division of Code Enforcement or Memphis Fire Department for local code and safety issues; TDEC for state air-quality violations.
  • Fines: specific dollar amounts are not specified on the cited page for municipal smoke complaints; see the enforcing agency for exact penalty tables.
  • Escalation: the cited pages do not list a standard schedule for first, repeat or continuing offences; escalation procedures are handled administratively and may lead to civil penalties or referral to court.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: inspectors may issue abatement orders, stop-work or removal orders, notices to appear in municipal court, or request corrective actions; seizure or demolition may occur for persistent hazards.
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: file via City 311 to generate a municipal case; Memphis Fire Department responds to emergencies; TDEC accepts air-quality complaints when state rules apply.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are not detailed on the municipal complaint page and vary by agency; contact the issuing office or consult the agency’s published rules for appeal deadlines.
  • Defences and discretion: agencies retain discretion for permitted burning, agricultural exemptions, or emergency actions; specific permit or variance rules must be confirmed with the enforcing agency.
If you need immediate safety response, call 911 before filing administrative complaints.

Applications & Forms

Filing a smoke-odor complaint typically uses the City 311 complaint form or phone service; no dedicated municipal “smoke complaint” permit form is published on the primary city page. For state air-quality enforcement or burn permits, consult TDEC for any required permits or forms; specific form names and fees are not specified on the city page.

Action steps for residents

  • Call 911 for active fires or immediate hazards.
  • File a City 311 complaint online or by phone to document the issue and request inspection. City 311 portal[1]
  • Note time, location, wind direction, photos and contact details to include in the report.
  • If smoke appears to be from industrial or permitted sources, report to TDEC for air-quality review.
Documenting time and evidence improves enforcement follow-up.

FAQ

Who should I call first if I smell smoke?
Call 911 for fire or health emergencies; for non-emergency smoke odors, file a City 311 complaint.
Will the city inspect my complaint?
Yes, filing through 311 creates a record and prompts an inspection or referral, subject to agency priorities and staffing.
Can I remain anonymous when reporting?
The 311 system allows for contact details to be provided; policies on anonymity vary by agency and complaint type.

How-To

  1. Assess safety: if smoke or fire presents imminent danger, call 911 immediately.
  2. Record details: time, exact address, photos, and wind conditions.
  3. Submit a City 311 complaint online or by phone to create an official record. Use City 311[1]
  4. If you suspect regulatory air-quality issues, also file with TDEC or request the city to refer to TDEC.
  5. Follow up: note the case number, monitor responses, and appeal any enforcement order within the issuing agency’s stated time limits.

Key Takeaways

  • For immediate danger, call 911 first.
  • File non-emergency complaints through City 311 to create an official record.
  • Enforcement may involve city code officers, fire inspectors or state air-quality regulators depending on the source.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Memphis 311 - report a problem

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