Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 08, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000910612
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-12494
Entity Registrant Name	CBL & ASSOCIATES PROPERTIES INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	62-1545718
Entity Address, Address Line One	2030 Hamilton Place Blvd., Suite 500
Entity Address, City or Town	Chattanooga
Entity Address, State or Province	TN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	37421-6000
City Area Code	423
Local Phone Number	855-0001
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		173,503,412
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CBL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
7.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	7.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CBLprD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.625% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CBLprE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Central Index Key	0000915140
Entity File Number	333-182515-01
Entity Registrant Name	CBL & Associates Limited Partnership
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	62-1542285
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false