SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Revenue Recognition) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Tenant reimbursements period related to certain capital expenditures, minimum (in years)	5 years
Tenant reimbursements period related to certain capital expenditures, maximum (in years)	15 years

Tenant Reimbursements Period Related to Certain Capital Expenditure Maximum, in Years

No definition available.

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