Business Licensing & Operations in Kingsport, TN (2026)
4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Kingsport, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, adult oriented establishments appear in the principal-use list of the B-3, Highway Oriented Business District under Code § 114-195(a)(6). The property line cannot be closer than 1,500 feet from residential districts and listed public uses, or closer than one-half mile from any other adult oriented establishment.
Kingsport Adult Oriented Business Spacing in B-3 Zones
Significant RestrictionsKingsport Code § 114-195
(6)Adult oriented establishments: adult bookstores, cabaret, motion picture theater, sexual encounter establishments, provided however, that the property line of such businesses shall not be closer than 1,500 feet from any residential district or residential use; and public amusement or entertainment activity, public gathering place, including but not limited to: arcades, motion picture theater...
Massage Establishments
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, operating a massage parlor or working as a massager requires a City permit under Article III of Chapter 26. The chief of police takes and investigates applications, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen decides parlor permits after a public hearing, and no parlor permit can issue within a residential zone or within 500 feet of a church, school, hospital, funeral parlor, library, museum, playground or park.
Kingsport Massage Parlor and Massager Permits
Significant RestrictionsKingsport Code §§ 26-82, 26-83, 26-86
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to establish, maintain or operate a massage parlor in the city without a valid permit issued pursuant to this division.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to perform the services of a massager at a massage parlor in the city without a valid permit issued pursuant to this division. ... (h)The board of mayor and aldermen may not authorize the issuance of ...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, it is unlawful to keep an inoperable, unlicensed or worthless vehicle, or a vehicle in major disassembly, disrepair or being stripped, dismantled or painted, on private property. The nuisance carries a fine of $10.00 to $50.00 under Kingsport Code § 38-34.
Home Vehicle Repair and Disassembly Limits in Kingsport, TN
Significant RestrictionsKingsport Code § 38-34(a), (d)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to park, keep, store, permit, suffer, or allow the accumulation of any inoperable vehicle, unlicensed motor vehicle, worthless vehicle or parts thereof, or allow any vehicle at any time to be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or which is in the process of being stripped, dismantled, or painted upon any private property or vacant lot owned, occupi...
Towing Companies
In the City of Kingsport, towing firms do city impound work under a competitively bid contract awarded by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to the lowest and best bidder. The contractor must prove financial responsibility, post owners' rights at the impound site, and file a sworn monthly claim with the police department.
Kingsport City Towing Contractor Rules
Some RestrictionsKingsport Code §§ 98-596, 98-599
(a)The city may contract the services of one or more competent towing service firms for the removal and storage of motor vehicles taken into custody of the city for any reason. Any contract for towing services and storage of motor vehicles pursuant to this section shall be awarded on the basis of the city's competitive bidding procedure and awarded to the lowest responsible compliant bidder, in...
Looking for Sullivan County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kingsport city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Sullivan County →