Chattanooga, TN Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- Outside crosswalk
- pedestrian must yield to vehicles
- Business districts
- no mid-block crossing allowed
- Between signals
- crosswalk-only crossing required
- Bridge sidewalks
- no cross-side walking, Sec. 24-170
Summary
Chattanooga pedestrians crossing outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield to all vehicles, and cannot cross mid-block anywhere in a business district.
(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)Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.(c)No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than in a crosswalk in any business district.(d)Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (Code 1986, § 24-169)
State Law reference— Similar provisions, T.C.A., § 55-8-135.
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. 24-169 governs crossing outside a crosswalk in Chattanooga. A pedestrian crossing at any point other than a marked crosswalk, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway. Between adjacent signalized intersections, pedestrians may cross only in a marked crosswalk. Inside any business district, the code bars crossing anywhere except a crosswalk entirely, and a pedestrian near a provided tunnel or overhead crossing must yield to vehicles on the roadway below.
Violations & Fines
Crossing outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk, or mid-block within a business district, violates Sec. 24-169 and is a citable traffic offense enforced by Chattanooga police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cross mid-block in downtown Chattanooga?
Who has the right-of-way if I jaywalk in Chattanooga?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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