Knoxville and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency rules discourage feeding wild deer, raccoons, and bears, particularly given the city's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains, where intentional feeding can trigger nuisance-animal abatement and state wildlife violations.
Although Knoxville City Code Chapter 5 focuses mainly on domestic animals, intentional or negligent wildlife feeding can become a public-nuisance issue under city codes-enforcement authority. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) prohibits feeding bears statewide and discourages feeding deer in counties where it has been linked to disease spread, both relevant to Knox County given Smoky Mountains habitat overlap. Residents who put out food that attracts raccoons, coyotes, or bears may be ordered to cease, and TWRA can pursue state-level enforcement. Bird feeders are generally allowed if they do not draw unintended species or rodents.
Fines from city codes enforcement for nuisance conditions plus state-level penalties from TWRA for prohibited bear feeding or related wildlife offenses, depending on the species involved.
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no general City Code ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, garden statues, religious displays, or yard decorations on private residential prope...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no City Code ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private residential property. Inflatables must stay within the pr...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no dedicated City Code ordinance regulating the timing, brightness, or quantity of residential holiday light displays. General electrical safet...
Knoxville, TN
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Knoxville require Plans Review & Inspections permits when they include gas lines, plumbing, electrical work, or structures. Nat...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville treats wood smokers, pellet grills, and other solid-fuel cooking equipment under the 2024 International Fire Code as adopted in City Code Chapter 1...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has adopted the 2024 International Fire Code under City Code Chapter 11, Article II (Sections 11-21 to 11-22), effective January 2025. IFC Section ...
See how Knoxville's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.