Chattanooga, TN Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited
- Blocking sidewalks/streets/passageways
- Standard
- 'Unreasonably inconvenient or dangerous'
- Not covered
- No outright sit/lie ban
- Governing section
- Chattanooga City Code § 25-38
Summary
Chattanooga makes it unlawful to block a sidewalk, street, or other public passageway so that passage becomes unreasonably inconvenient or dangerous: the city's functional stand-in for a sit-lie rule.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person, without legal authority or privilege, to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly obstruct a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, isle or hallway to which the public, or a substantial portion of the public, has access or any other place used for the passage of persons, vehicles or conveyances, whether the obstruction arises from the person's acts alone or from the person's acts and the acts of others.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to disobey a reasonable request or order to move issued by a person known to be a law enforcement officer, a fireman, or a person with authority to control the use of premises to prevent obstruction of a highway or passageway, maintain public safety by disbursing those gathered in dangerous proximity to a fire, riot or other hazard.(c)"Obstruction" means to render passage unreasonably inconvenient, dangerous, and/or potentially injurious to person or property. (Ord. No. 9912, § 1, 7-13-93)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 25-38 prohibits intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly obstructing a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, elevator, aisle, or hallway open to the public. It also makes it unlawful to disobey a lawful order from police, fire personnel, or another authorized person to move along to prevent an obstruction or public-safety hazard. 'Obstruction' is defined as rendering passage unreasonably inconvenient, dangerous, or potentially injurious to a person or property: the law doesn't ban sitting or lying on a sidewalk outright, only blocking it.
Violations & Fines
A violation is a municipal offense; Sec. 25-38 sets no dedicated fine, so it is enforced under the Code's general penalty provision, § 1-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to sit on a Chattanooga sidewalk?
Can police order someone to move along?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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