Public Conduct in Knox County, TN (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Knox County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Knox County bans soliciting or advertising for alms, funds, or contributions on any public roadway, and bars collecting from anyone inside a moving car on a public road. Sec. 54-1 caps the penalty at a $50.00 fine per violation, one of the county's older offenses provisions, dating to a 1991 ordinance.
Panhandling on Public Roads in Knox County
Significant RestrictionsKnox County Code § 54-1
(a)Prohibited. No person shall solicit or advertise for alms, funds, or contributions on any public roadway in the county; nor shall any person solicit or advertise for alms, funds, or contributions to be collected from any person in an automobile while such automobile is being operated on a public roadway.(b)Penalty. Anyone found in violation of this section shall be subject to a maximum fine ...
Skateboarding Rules
Skateboarding in Knox County parks is confined to designated spots and paved greenway trails under Sec. 27-8, and every rider in a county skatepark must wear an ANSI-, Snell- or ASTM-approved helmet, fastened and strapped. A parent who knowingly lets a child under 13 skate helmetless in a county skatepark gets a court citation, and violators pay a $25.00 fine plus court costs.
Skateboarding Rules in Knox County Parks
Some RestrictionsKnox County Code § 27-8
(a)No person shall use a skateboard in any park except at such times and upon places as may be designated or maintained therefore. Skateboards shall be permitted on paved greenway trails unless otherwise posted.(b)Any person operating a skateboard, skates, bicycle or other similar device in a county skatepark shall wear a protective helmet of good fit fastened securely upon their head with all ...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Knox County prohibits tobacco and vapor product use on the grounds of every public park, public playground, and public greenway the county owns or controls, plus any other public property accessible to youth under 21. Section 27-16 exempts buildings, sidewalks, and roads. Park directors, park employees, and sheriff's deputies enforce the ban and can eject violators under Section 27-13.
Smoking and Vaping Ban in Knox County Parks
Significant RestrictionsKnox County Code § 27-16
(a)The use of tobacco products and vapor products are prohibited on the grounds of a public park, public playground, public greenway, or any public property that is accessible to use by youth as long as the public park, public playground, public greenway, or public property is owned or controlled by Knox County. This prohibition does not apply to buildings, sidewalks, or roads.(b)As used in thi...
Jaywalking
Pedestrians crossing a county roadway anywhere other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to every vehicle on the road. Between two signal-controlled intersections, pedestrians may cross only within a marked crosswalk, and a nearby pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing must be used when one exists.
Jaywalking Law in Knox County TN
Some RestrictionsKnox County Code § 62-298
Sec. 62-298. - Crossing at other than crosswalks. (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...
Public Alcohol Use
Neither drivers nor passengers may keep an open alcoholic beverage or beer in the passenger area of a vehicle anywhere in unincorporated Knox County. Only a manufacturer's unopened original container is allowed there, and violating the ban carries a fine between $50 and $500.
Open Container Law for Vehicles in Knox County
Some RestrictionsKnox County Code § 62-17
Passenger area of any motor vehicle means the area designed to seat the driver and passengers and any area within the reach of the seated driver or passenger, including the glove department. In a truck, station wagon, van or hatchback, the area behind the last passenger seat shall not be considered a part of the passenger area of any motor vehicle. (b)No driver may transport, carry, possess, or...
Public Conduct by City in Knox County
1 cities in Knox County have their own public conduct rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Knox County ordinances
See every category we cover for Knox County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Knox County Ordinance Hub →