Additional secured and unsecured lines of credit that can only be used for issuing letter of credit.

No definition available.

Name:	cbl_AdditionalSecuredAndUnsecuredLinesOfCreditWithCommitment
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Facility Fee Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_LineofCreditFacilityFacilityFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage fee charged for exercising the extension option on the line of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_LineOfCreditOptionExerciseFeeChargedPercent
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of Debt Instruments

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_NumberofDebtInstruments
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for the line of credit facility regardless of whether the facility has been used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a set, unchanging rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The portion of the carrying amount of long-term borrowings outstanding as of the balance sheet date, including current maturities, which accrues interest at a rate subject to change from time to time.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	cbl_LongTermDebtInterestRateAxis=cbl_FixedRateInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cbl_UnsecuredLineOfCredit1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cbl_UnsecuredLineOfCredit2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cbl_UnsecuredLineofCreditFacilitiesAandBMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cbl_UnsecuredLineofCreditFirstTennesseeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cbl_UnsecuredLinesOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cbl_UnsecuredTermLoan1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=cbl_UnsecuredTermLoan2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=cbl_WellsFargoBankMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cbl_OtherVariableRateDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=cbl_UnsecuredTermLoan1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

MORTGAGE AND OTHER INDEBTEDNESS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
MORTGAGE AND OTHER INDEBTEDNESS (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		696,396,000	$ 866,749,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness		4,700,460,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt	4,857,523,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)		4.93%	4.88%
Loan, outstanding amount		4,004,064,000	3,990,774,000
Unsecured lines of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of debt instruments		3
Credit facility, facility fee percentage		0.30%
Weighted-average interest rate		1.56%
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity		1,300,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		221,183,000
Unsecured Line of Credit 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity		600,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		63,716,000
Amount outstanding on letter of credit		800,000
Unsecured Line of Credit, First Tennessee [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity		100,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		2,200,000
Amount outstanding on letter of credit		113,000
Additional secured and unsecured lines of credit with commitment		20,000,000
Unsecured Line of Credit 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity		600,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt		155,267,000
Amount outstanding on letter of credit		6,110,000
Unsecured Line of Credit, Facilities A and B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional secured and unsecured lines of credit with commitment		50,000,000
Unsecured Term Loan 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term (years)	5 years
Debt instrument, face value	400,000,000			7,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness		400,000,000
Interest rate at repayment date (percent)		1.67%
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)		2.05%
Unsecured Term Loan 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value					50,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness		50,000,000
Unsecured Term Loan 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan, outstanding amount		5,639,000	0
Other Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity				$ 3,500,000
Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured lines of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, commitment fee percentage		0.15%
Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured lines of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, commitment fee percentage		0.35%
Wells Fargo Bank [Member] \| Unsecured lines of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, extension fee percentage		0.20%
Fixed Rate Interest [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)		5.50%	5.52%
Fixed Rate Interest [Member] \| Unsecured Term Loan 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)			0.00%	3.50%
LIBOR [Member] \| Unsecured lines of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)		1.40%
LIBOR [Member] \| Unsecured Term Loan 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)		1.50%
LIBOR [Member] \| Unsecured Term Loan 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)		1.90%
LIBOR [Member] \| Other Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)		2.49%
LIBOR [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Unsecured lines of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)		1.00%
LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Unsecured lines of credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)		1.75%