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

Debt Instrument, Period of Extension Option

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

Line of Credit Facility, Facility Fee Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Number of extension options available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- 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 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: 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

+ 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 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

Reference 2: 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

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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

+ 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 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 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 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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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

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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

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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

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

- Details

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- Details

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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=cbl_WellsFargoBankMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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MORTGAGE AND OTHER INDEBTEDNESS (Unsecured Lines of Credit and Unsecured Term Loans)(Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) extension_option credit_line	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) extension_option CreditLines	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt			$ 1,241,379,000	$ 696,396,000
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)			4.54%	4.93%
Mortgage and other indebtedness			$ 4,710,628,000	$ 4,683,333,000
Loan, outstanding amount			3,485,308,000	4,004,064,000
Unsecured Term Loan 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan, outstanding amount			$ 2,686,000	$ 5,639,000
Other Variable Rate Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity					$ 3,500,000
Other Variable Rate Debt \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)			2.49%
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of one-year extension options available \| extension_option			1
Fixed Rate Interest
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)			5.53%	5.50%
Fixed Rate Interest \| Unsecured Term Loan 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)			3.50%	3.50%
Unsecured lines of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of debt instruments \| CreditLines			3
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity	$ 1,100,000,000		$ 1,100,000,000
Credit facility, facility fee percentage			0.25%
Weighted-average interest rate			1.54%
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt			$ 398,904,000
Unsecured lines of credit \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)			1.20%
Unsecured lines of credit \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%		0.15%
Unsecured lines of credit \| Minimum \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	0.875%		1.00%
Unsecured lines of credit \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.30%		0.35%
Unsecured lines of credit \| Maximum \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	1.55%		1.75%
Unsecured lines of credit \| Wells Fargo Bank
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, extension fee percentage			0.15%
Unsecured lines of credit 3 and 4
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of debt instruments \| credit_line	2
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity	$ 500,000,000
Unsecured line of credit 5
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000
Extension option, term (years)	1 year
Unsecured line of credit 3
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity	$ 500,000,000
Extension option, term (years)	1 year
Unsecured line of credit 4
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity	$ 500,000,000
Facility A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity			$ 500,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt			0
Amount outstanding on letter of credit			350,000
First Tennessee
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity			100,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt			6,700,000
Amount outstanding on letter of credit			113,000
Additional secured and unsecured lines of credit with commitment			$ 20,000,000
First Tennessee \| Wells Fargo Bank
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, extension fee percentage			0.20%
Facility B
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured credit facility, borrowing capacity			$ 500,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt			392,204,000
Amount outstanding on letter of credit			5,464,000
Unsecured Line of Credit, Facilities A and B
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional secured and unsecured lines of credit with commitment			$ 30,000,000
Unsecured term loan 4
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extension option, term (years)	1 year
Mortgage and other indebtedness, variable-rate debt	$ 350,000,000
Number of one-year extension options available \| extension_option	2
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)			1.69%
Unsecured term loan 4 \| Minimum \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	0.90%
Unsecured term loan 4 \| Maximum \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	1.75%
Unsecured term loan 4 \| Weighted Average \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)	1.35%
Unsecured Term Loan 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate (percent)			1.79%
Debt instrument, face value			$ 400,000,000		$ 7,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness			$ 400,000,000
Interest Rate at Repayment Date (percent)			1.92%
Unsecured Term Loan 1 \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)			1.50%
Unsecured Term Loan 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value			$ 50,000,000
Mortgage and other indebtedness			$ 50,000,000
Unsecured Term Loan 2 \| LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (percent)		1.90%		1.55%