Dispositions, Percentage Ownership in Disposed Asset

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Equity Method Investment, Cash Contributed by Third Party

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Noncontrolling Interest, Number of Holders in Noncontrolling Interest

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_NoncontrollingInterestNumberofHoldersinNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Noncontrolling Interests, Number of Units Held

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cbl_NoncontrollingInterestsNumberofUnitsHeld
Namespace Prefix:	cbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total number of entities accounted for using the equity method of Accounting.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total of all Partners' Capital (deficit) items which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest).

+ 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(31))
-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 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187171-122770

Reference 4: 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(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 5: 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(a)(24))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70434-108055

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow to a noncontrolling interest. Includes, but not limited to, reduction of noncontrolling interest ownership. Excludes dividends paid to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from the sale of an investment interest in a joint venture that the reporting entity has not previously accounted for using consolidation or the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

As of the reporting date, the aggregate carrying amount of all noncontrolling interests which are redeemable by the (parent) entity (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the (parent) entity. This item includes noncontrolling interest holder's ownership (or holders' ownership) regardless of the type of equity interest (common, preferred, other) including all potential organizational (legal) forms of the investee entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 480
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (12)(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 480
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (16)(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 480
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 480
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassAxis=cbl_ThirdPartyInterestsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassAxis=cbl_OtherConsolidatedSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassAxis=us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=cbl_RiverRidgeMallMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=cbl_ShoppesAtEaglePointLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=cbl_WoodstockGaInvestmentsLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=cbl_FoothillsMallMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Unconsolidated Affiliates and Noncontrolling Interests (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) entity unitholder shares	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) unitholder shares	Apr. 30, 2017 USD ($) unitholder shares	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) entity shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of entities - equity method of accounting \| entity	17					17
Proceeds from disposal of investment						$ 9,000	$ 0
Third Party Interests
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Redeemable interests	$ 13,076					13,076			$ 17,996
Noncontrolling interests	87,939					87,939			100,035
Other Consolidated Subsidiaries
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	10,626					10,626			12,103
Noncontrolling Interests
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	98,565					$ 98,565			$ 112,138
Payments to noncontrolling interests	$ 63		$ 471	$ 59
Number of holders in noncontrolling interest (unitholder) \| unitholder	1		2	1
Number of units held by noncontrolling interest (in shares) \| shares	7,084		59,480	6,424	59,480	7,084
River Ridge Mall
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property		25.00%
Proceeds from disposal of investment		$ 9,000
Loss on sale of investment		$ 354			$ 5,843
Shoppes at Eagle Point, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property	50.00%					50.00%
Shoppes at Eagle Point, LLC \| Corporate Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property										50.00%
Initial equity contribution	$ 1,031
Shoppes at Eagle Point, LLC \| Parent Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property										50.00%
Woodstock GA Investments LLC \| Corporate Joint Venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property								25.00%
Woodstock GA Investments LLC \| Parent Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest in real estate property								75.00%
Foothills Mall
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage sold					95.00%