Nashville, TN Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- Core rule
- Cross mid-block only if yielding to traffic
- Between signals
- Marked crosswalk only, no exceptions
- Max fine
- $50 per offense (general penalty)
- Citation
- Metropolitan Code of Laws § 12.52.040
- Coverage
- Countywide, all of Davidson County
Summary
Metro Nashville pedestrians must yield to traffic when crossing outside a marked crosswalk, and between signalized intersections they must cross only within a marked crosswalk.
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-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.C.Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.D.No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements. (Prior code § 27-1-122)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Metropolitan Code of Laws § 12.52.040 sets the mid-block crossing rule for Nashville and Davidson County: a pedestrian crossing anywhere other than a marked crosswalk, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, must yield the right-of-way to vehicles. Between adjacent intersections where traffic-control signals are operating, pedestrians are barred from crossing anywhere except in a marked crosswalk, the core jaywalking prohibition. Diagonal crossing at an intersection is also barred unless traffic-control devices specifically authorize it. This section carries no stated fine, so a violation falls under the Code's general penalty provision.
Violations & Fines
No specific fine is listed in § 12.52.040, so it defaults to the Code's general penalty: up to fifty dollars per offense, with each continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
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