SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net difference between investment and underlying equity in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 13,334	$ 13,390

Net Difference of Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates and the Equity of Unconsolidated Affiliates

No definition available.

Name:	cbl_NetDifferenceOfInvestmentInUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAndEquityOfUnconsolidatedAffiliates
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration