Knox County, TN Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 27-2, Knox County Code
- Park hours
- Sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, closed
- Lighted facilities
- Open until 10:00 p.m. unless posted
- Enforcement
- Ejection, misdemeanor under Sec. 27-3/27-13
- Overnight vehicles
- Towed at owner's expense
- General penalty
- Up to $1,000.00 per violation, Sec. 1-4
Summary
Knox County parks close from a half hour before sunrise to sunset, and Sec. 27-2 bars anyone from entering or remaining in a county park after sunset without special permission from the parks and recreation department. Lighted facilities like ball fields, tennis courts and skateparks stay open until 10:00 p.m. unless posted otherwise, and violators face ejection and misdemeanor charges under Sec. 27-3.
No person shall, under any circumstances, enter for the purpose of remaining therein or remain in any park from sunset and one-half hour before sunrise without general or special permission from the parks and recreation department. Lighted facilities (ball fields, tennis courts, skateparks, etc.) shall remain open until 10:00 p.m. unless otherwise posted, or if authorized by the department during an event. Night time use of boat launch and fishing areas shall be permitted so long as it does not create nuisance for adjacent property owners. Park areas under repair shall be closed as needed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Sec. unless posted otherwise or unless the department authorizes a later closing for an event, and areas under repair can be closed as needed regardless of the general hours. Nighttime boat launch and fishing area use is allowed so long as it does not create a nuisance for neighboring property owners. Enforcement runs through Sec. 27-13, which puts the director, park employees and the county sheriff's department in charge of enforcing the whole chapter and gives them authority to eject any violator from a park.
Sec. 27-9(3) separately makes it unlawful to "enter an area posted as 'Closed to the Public,'" reaching areas closed outside curfew hours too, and Sec. 27-3 treats after-hours trespass and related unlawful park activity as a misdemeanor. A vehicle left in a park after closing hours, unless disabled and reported to a park employee, will be towed and stored at the owner's expense under Sec. 27-5(4)(e). Sec. 27-15 warns that park users are there at their own risk and the county is not liable for injuries or damages sustained on park property, day or night.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 27-3 declares unauthorized after-hours park entry unlawful and a misdemeanor; since no dollar figure is stated there, the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-4, sets a civil fine of up to $1,000.00 per violation, with each day a continuing violation counted as a separate offense. Sec. 27-13 lets the director, park staff or the sheriff's department eject any violator on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Knox County parks close?
Can I fish or launch a boat after dark in a county park?
Can I leave my car in a park lot overnight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knox County
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