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Memphis Council creates Division of Community Enhancement, shifts short‑term rental oversight to Planning and Development
Summary
The Memphis City Council approved an ordinance creating a Division of Community Enhancement and moved responsibility for short‑term rental permitting to the Division of Planning and Development to centralize code enforcement and streamline licensing.
The Memphis City Council on June 24 approved an ordinance creating a Division of Community Enhancement and reassigned enforcement and permitting responsibilities for property maintenance and short‑term rentals to centralize oversight.
Council members and city staff said the reorganization is meant to speed enforcement and avoid cross‑departmental delays. John Zena, Chief of Development and Infrastructure, told the council that the transfer will move responsibility for enforcing the property maintenance code to the new division and move short‑term rental permitting from Public Works to the Division of Planning and Development.
“The permit process for short term rentals was added in 2023 … it is appropriate, we believe, for the permitting process and licensing process for short term rentals to go to the Division of Planning and Development,” John Zena said. Zena said Planning and Development already operates the city’s permitting system and that the change should be “a seamless transition.”
Councilman Warren and other members said the change is intended to make it easier to remove repeat violators and avoid gaps between departments. “This is an attempt for us to be able to take a little control over these short term rentals and be able to remove bad actors from the scene more rapidly,” Councilman Warren said.
Councilmembers also amended the ordinance during the meeting to clarify which office will initially administer specific duties, and to reflect budget items already approved in the FY‑26 operating budget. The council adopted the ordinance as amended (Ordinance No. 5948).
The ordinance directs that additional operating funds and personnel approved in the city’s FY‑26 operating budget will support the new division. City staff said no separate appendix was attached to the ordinance at the meeting and that the budget schedule referenced is the FY‑26 budget previously approved by council.
The council approved the ordinance by recorded vote.
