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Curfew Laws in Knoxville, TN (2026)

2 verified curfew laws for Knoxville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Juvenile Curfew

Knoxville bars anyone under 18 from loitering, wandering or playing in public streets, parks, vacant lots and other unsupervised places between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Six specific defenses excuse a minor found out during those hours, including being with a parent, coming from work, or exercising First Amendment rights.

Knoxville Juvenile Curfew Midnight To 5 A.M.

Significant Restrictions

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 19-213 (Code 1962, § 26-1704; Ord. No. O-473-98, § 1, 9-8-98; Ord. No. O-356-01, § 1, 10-16-01; Ord. No. O-100-04, §§ 1, 2, 6-22-04)

Sec. 19-213. - Curfew. (a)Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a child who has not reached his eighteenth birthday shall not loiter, idle, wander or play in or upon the public streets, highways, alleys, parks, playgrounds, schools or public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots or other unsupervised places between the hours...

Park Curfew

Knoxville parks are open daily from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset unless posted otherwise, while lighted ballfields, courts, and skateparks stay open until 11:00 p.m.

Knoxville City Park Hours

Some Restrictions

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 20-56 (Code 1962, § 31A-29(a); Ord. No. O-204-2017, § 4, 9-26-17)

Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year during designated hours...The hours for use of all parks, unless otherwise specified by the posting of the hours of use, shall be between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset. Lighted facilities (ballfields, tennis courts, skateparks, etc.) shall remain open until 11:00 ...

Looking for Knox County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Knoxville city rules.

Curfew Laws in Knox County