by: Lauren Coleman Updated:
A Memphis mobile car wash owner said he's being harassed by Shelby County Code Enforcement and police after receiving nearly a dozen citations.
Keith Marshall is owner of the mobile service Perfection Carwash and Detail.
For the past five years, he's operated out of a parking lot on Riverdale and a lot on Winchester road.
He showed FOX13 a signed letter by the owner of Hibachi Grill on Riverdale that stated Marshall had permission to wash cars in their lot.
Trending Now:
Marshall said he's hit many hurdles along the way with code enforcement and police.
"Overtime, Memphis Police Department came and asked me if I had permission to be here and I told them yes," Marshall said. "At the time, I didn't know about the business license."
Marshall said he obtained a business license, but received a visit form Code Enforcement just a couple months later.
He said code enforcement told him he needed a draining system that would prevent water from entering the Memphis sewer.
"I bought this machine that cost a little over $15,000 to collect all the water. 100 percent of the water and everything we use is earth friendly."
Marshall said he's received nearly a dozen citations form Shelby County Code Enforcement since he opened his business and said he doesn't understand why.
Code enforcement said he must apply for a special use permit.
"Now they're threatening to take me to jail if I don't have it," Marshall said. "I did everything the law requires me to do, but you're constantly asking for more and more."
FOX13 took Marshall's concerns to Code Enforcement to ask them about the need for a special use permit.
Code enforcement Administrator Allen Medlock provided this statement:
This case has been to General Sessions Court several times. A court order was issued to this gentleman twice to cease operating on a parking lot and/or without a Certificate of Occupancy. A business license does not give permission to operate a car wash without meeting all the requirements of the zoning code. A car wash requires a Special Use Permit which would stipulate what is needed to operate a business as this. There is sanitary needs associated with this, a building, parking, facilities for customers, etc. There is no Certificate of Occupancy and one cannot be issued without the mentioned requirements. This is the reason that our department has continued to issue citations to this business. If the defendant appears in court again on this matter, he could be taken into custody for this zoning code violation if the judge pleases to do.
Marshall said the city could do a better job of educating business owners about permits and licenses.
"My concern is getting your business license," Marshall said.
© 2017 Cox Media Group.
Source: www.bing.com