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Noise from Specific Sources in Knoxville, TN (2026)

2 verified noise from specific sources rules for Knoxville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Generator Noise

Knoxville bans unmuffled generator and stationary-engine exhaust noise citywide, requiring a muffler or equivalent device that prevents loud or explosive sound, whether or not the decibel standard in Section 18-3 is exceeded.

Knoxville Generator Exhaust Muffling Rule

Some Restrictions

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 18-4(c)(3)

The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor vehicle or motorboat engine except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.

Low-Frequency Bass Limits

Knoxville limits car stereo and bass noise to what's audible 50 feet away, whether on public streets or from private property, and it explicitly counts bass reverberation as regulated sound even when lyrics aren't understandable.

Knoxville Vehicle Audio Bass Limit

Some Restrictions

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 18-5

no person shall use or operate any radio, tape player, record player, compact disc player or any similar device in or on a motor vehicle located on the public streets of the city, property owned by or leased to Knoxville's community development corporation, or within a public park, within a public parking lot or on any other public premise within the city, which is audible to a person of normal...

Looking for Knox County county-wide rules?

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

Noise from Specific Sources in Knox County