Public Conduct in Knoxville, TN (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for Knoxville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Knoxville makes it unlawful to solicit money, goods or services "in an aggressive manner" in any public area, defining aggressive conduct to include touching, following, blocking someone's path, using threatening language, or repeating a request within twenty feet after being refused. A companion list bars solicitation after dark and near ATMs, crosswalks, bus stops and building entrances.
Knoxville Aggressive Solicitation Ban
Significant RestrictionsKnoxville Code of Ordinances § 16-448, "Aggressive solicitation." (Ord. No. O-213-06, § 1, 10-24-06)
Sec. 16-448. - Aggressive solicitation. It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit money or other things of value, or to solicit the sale of goods or services, in an aggressive manner in a public area.
Skateboarding Rules
Knoxville bans skateboards, coasters and similar wheeled toys entirely within the Central Business Improvement District, though roller skates are specifically exempted from that ban. City-wide, skateboards and roller skates may only touch a roadway while crossing at a crosswalk like a pedestrian.
Knoxville Skateboard Ban In Downtown CBID
Significant RestrictionsKnoxville Code of Ordinances § 17-51(a)-(b) (Code 1962, § 26-305; Ord. No. O-83-93, § 1, 2-2-93)
Sec. 17-51. - Use of coasters, roller skates and similar devices. (a)No person upon roller skates or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk, and when so crossing such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians.(b)It shall be unla...
Loitering Rules
Knoxville makes it a misdemeanor to loiter, loaf, or idle in a way that blocks sidewalks or business entrances, and separately bans sitting or lying on downtown sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Knoxville Sidewalk Loitering And Sit-Lie Ban
Some RestrictionsKnoxville Code of Ordinances § 19-63(a) (Code 1962, § 28-311; Ord. No. O-109-09, § 1, 7-14-09)
No person shall willfully loaf, loiter, idle, lounge, swing or promenade in or near or in front of any public place of business, worship or other public place or other place or activity inviting patronage or in, on or near any public street, highway, bridge, sidewalk or other public thoroughfare or public place in such a manner as to obstruct or impede the normal or free use by any other person...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Knoxville bans smoking in schools, elevators, city transit vehicles, and museum or library public areas, plus within 100 feet of hospital entrances, with mandatory posted signage in every restricted zone.
Knoxville Bans Smoking in Public Places
Some RestrictionsKnoxville Code of Ordinances § 19-187 (Code 1962, § 28-740; Ord. No. O-163-2011, §§ 1—3, 11-15-11)
In the following public places, it shall be unlawful for any person to smoke or carry any lighted smoking materials in any form at any time:(1)Inside public elementary or secondary schools.(2)Elevators used by the public in any public place.(3)Public transportation vehicles owned or operated by the city, used by the public.(4)Public areas of museums and libraries.(5)On the grounds of a hospital...
Jaywalking
Knoxville pedestrians must yield to vehicles when crossing outside a marked crosswalk, and between signalized intersections must use a marked crosswalk: violators face Knoxville's general penalty, up to a $50 fine plus costs.
Knoxville Jaywalking Crosswalk Rules
Some RestrictionsKnoxville Code of Ordinances § 17-474 (Code 1962, § 26-1102)
(a)Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.(b)Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.(c)Betwee...
Public Alcohol Use
Knoxville bans possessing an open container of beer or alcohol, or drinking it, on public streets, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds and public parking lots citywide, unless a city event permit applies.
Knoxville Open Container Ban
Significant RestrictionsKnoxville Code of Ordinances § 4-1(b)(2) (Code 1962, §§ 9-29, 28-757; Ord. No. O-26-2025, § 1, 4-1-25)
Possess an open container containing beer or alcoholic beverages, or consume beer or alcoholic beverages, on any public street, sidewalk, playground, school property, public park or recreational facility or public parking lot within the corporate limits of the city, unless such possession or consumption is exempted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section
Looking for Knox County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Knoxville city rules.
Public Conduct in Knox County →