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Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Knoxville, TN (2026)

1 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Knoxville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Sit-Lie Rules

Knoxville bans sitting or lying on public sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Central Business Improvement District and the Downtown North Corridor, with exceptions for medical emergencies, disabilities, permitted sidewalk businesses, and permitted events.

Knoxville Downtown Sidewalk Sit-Lie Ban

Significant Restrictions

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 19-63(b)

In addition to the prohibitions set forth in subsection (a), no person shall sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk, or upon any object placed upon a public sidewalk, during the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the following zones: (1) The Central Business Improvement District as defined in section 2-1073; and (2) The Downtown North Corridor, defined as the area bounded by Depot Avenue ...

Looking for Knox County county-wide rules?

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

Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Knox County