Memphis: who to call for anything.
The numbers a Memphis property owner actually needs, in one place. Report a problem property, set up utilities, pay or fight your taxes, pull a permit, get the trash hauled. We run trucks here every day, this is the directory we use.
Report a problem property
Blight, vacant houses, illegal dumping, overgrowth, junk, derelict vehicles.
The front door for almost everything. File a code, blight, dumping, or junk-vehicle complaint and get a tracking number. Online at 311.memphistn.gov.
Unsafe structures, dangerous housing conditions, and serious code violations. Use when 311 is not moving fast enough.
Repeat or dangerous violations escalate here. Note your 311 case numbers, they are the paper trail the court wants.
Police, safety, and nuisance
Crime, suspicious activity, nuisance tenants next door.
Crime in progress, fire, or medical emergency. Always.
Past crimes, reports, and non-urgent police matters at or near your property.
Map crime trends around any address before you buy. See our free Memphis crime map. Open it →
Utilities and water
Power, gas, water, and sewer for Memphis properties.
Start, stop, or transfer electric, gas, and water service. The one utility for all three in Memphis.
Power outages and downed lines. For a gas leak, leave first, then call. Treat gas as an emergency.
Property taxes and value
Bills, assessments, and appeals.
Pay property tax bills, check what is owed, and ask about payment plans. Online at shelbycountytrustee.com.
How your property was valued and how to start an informal review before the June 30 appeal deadline.
City of Memphis property tax bills, which run separately from the county bill.
Permits, business, and short-term rentals
Building permits, business licenses, and Airbnb permits.
Building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. Pull the permit before the work, an unpermitted flip surfaces at resale.
$300 to apply, $150 to renew, under Ordinance 5631. See our STR permit guide for the full walkthrough. Open it →
Business licenses and renewals for a Memphis rental or services entity.
Trash, recycling, and bulk pickup
Carts, recycling, and getting big items hauled off.
Find your collection day, request a cart, report a missed pickup, and schedule bulk or brush pickup. Your day is tied to your address, look it up at 311.memphistn.gov.
Furniture, appliances, and large items go out on a scheduled bulk day, not the regular cart. Schedule it so it is not a code complaint against you.
Phone numbers and processes for Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, change over time. This is general information for property owners, not legal advice. For emergencies call 911. Confirm current contacts at memphistn.gov, shelbycountytn.gov, and mlgw.com.
Tired of being the one who has to call?
Longstep handles code, maintenance, utilities, taxes, and tenants for Memphis owners, with our own in-house crews. See what your property could earn under management.
Thinking about your Memphis property?
Send us the address and we will run the real numbers, what it should rent for long-term and short-term, on actual Memphis comps and county records. Free, and no obligation.