Kingsport, TN Curfew Laws: Juvenile Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Age covered
- A child who has not reached 16 years
- Curfew hours
- 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m.
- Parent or guardian
- Unlawful to permit the child to violate the section
- Defenses
- Six listed in subsection (c)
- Written permission
- Must be specific as to date, time and place
- Default penalty
- Not less than $10.00 or more than $50.00 (§ 1-14)
Summary
Under Code § 62-189, a child under 16 in the City of Kingsport, Tennessee cannot loiter, idle, wander or play on public streets, parks, schools, vacant lots or other unsupervised places between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. A parent or guardian commits a separate offense by permitting a violation, and six defenses apply.
(a)Except as otherwise specifically provided in this section, a child who has not reached the age of 16 years shall not loiter, idle, wander or play in or upon the public streets, highways, alleys, parks, playgrounds, schools or public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots or other unsupervised places between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. This prohibition shall not apply to a child exercising rights protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and the right of assembly.(b)It is unlawful for the parent or guardian of a child to permit the child to violate this section.(c)Prosecution under this section shall be subject to defenses for a child:(1)Accompanied by a parent or guardian or other adult person who has been delegated care and custody of the child by the parent or guardian; ... (6)On the sidewalk in front of his residence or the residence of a next-door neighbor, unless there has been a disturbance reported in connection with the minor's presence.
Full Breakdown
The curfew in Sec. 62-189 sits in Chapter 62, Article VI, Minors, of the Kingsport Code. It covers a child who has not reached the age of 16 years and bars loitering, idling, wandering or playing in or upon public streets, highways, alleys, parks, playgrounds, schools or public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots or other unsupervised places from 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m. The prohibition does not apply to a child exercising rights protected by the First Amendment, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of speech and the right of assembly.
Subsection (b) makes it unlawful for the parent or guardian of a child to permit the child to violate the section. Subsection (c) lists six defenses: the child is accompanied by a parent, guardian or other adult delegated care and custody; is on an emergency errand or legitimate business directed by the parent or guardian; is going to or returning home from lawful employment; is traveling through the city in the course of interstate travel; is attending or returning from a school or social function with written permission in his possession that is specific as to date, time and place; or is on the sidewalk in front of his residence or a next-door neighbor's residence, unless a disturbance has been reported in connection with the minor's presence.
The code's state-law reference note cites T.C.A. §§ 6-2-201(22), 6-19-101(22) and (33) and 6-33-101 for municipal power over conduct detrimental to welfare, and T.C.A. § 38-9-103 for curfews during civil emergencies.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 62-189 prints no penalty amount. The general penalty clause in Sec. 1-14 sets the default: not less than $10.00 or more than $50.00, unless state law permits more, with each day a violation continues a separate offense unless an ordinance provides otherwise. Subsection (b) reaches the parent or guardian separately from the child's own violation, and the subsection (c) defenses are written for prosecution of a child.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the curfew for minors in Kingsport?
Can a Kingsport parent be cited for a child's curfew violation?
What written permission does the curfew defense require?
Does the curfew apply to church or protests?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kingsport
Compare Kingsport to another location·View the Tennessee curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.