Business Licensing & Operations in Knox County, TN (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Knox County, Tennessee.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Knox County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Adult Entertainment

Knox County requires every sexually oriented business and its employees to hold a county license under Sec. 50-29, with a $100.00 initial and $50.00 annual renewal fee for the business and $50.00/$25.00 for employees. Sec. 50-38 limits hours to 8:00 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday, and bars Sunday and holiday operation.

Sexually Oriented Business Licensing in Knox County

Significant Restrictions

Knox County Code §§ 50-29, 50-31, 50-38

(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a sexually oriented business in the county without a valid sexually oriented business license. ...The initial license and annual renewal fees for sexually oriented business licenses and sexually oriented business employee licenses shall be as follows: $100.00 for the initial fee for a sexually oriented business license and $50.00 for annual rene...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tattoo & Body Modification

Knox County requires anyone who owns, operates, or works as a tattoo artist to hold a permit from the local health department under Sec. 38-171. Permits require sterilization training or equivalent proof, expire December 31 each year, and operators may not tattoo anyone under 18.

Tattoo Establishment Permit Rules in Knox County

Some Restrictions

Knox County Code § 38-171

No person shall own or operate a tattoo establishment or engage in the practice or business of tattooing as a tattoo operator or as a tattoo artist unless such person shall first obtain a permit from the local health department or its duly authorized agent.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Business Licensing & Operations by City in Knox County

1 cities in Knox County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

KnoxvillePop. 190,740

7 verified rules • Adult Entertainment, Auto Repair on Residential Property

All Knox County ordinances

See every category we cover for Knox County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Knox County Ordinance Hub →