Nashville, TN Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Metro Code § 11.12.050
- Applies to
- Anyone without lawful school business
- Covers
- School, college, seminary grounds & buildings
- Max fine
- $50 per offense (§ 1.01.030)
- Related law
- Truant-minor school-hours loitering, § 11.28.080
Summary
Metro Nashville's code bans loitering, idling, wandering, strolling or playing in, about or on any school, college or seminary grounds or buildings without lawful business there, on foot or in a vehicle.
It is unlawful for any person to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in, about or on any public, private or parochial school, college or seminary grounds or buildings, either on foot or in or on any vehicle, without having some lawful business therein or thereabout or in connection with such school or the employees thereof, or for any person to:
A.Annoy, disturb or otherwise prevent the orderly conduct of classes and activities of any such school; orB.Annoy, disturb, assault or molest any student or employee of any such school, college or seminary while in any such school building or on any school grounds; orC.Conduct himself in a lewd, wanton or lascivious manner in speech or behavior in or about any such school building or school grounds; orD.Park or move a vehicle in the immediate vicinity of or on the grounds of any such school, college or seminary for the purpose of annoying or molesting the students or employees thereof, or in an effort to induce, entice or invite students into such vehicles for immoral purposes. (Prior code § 29-1-56)
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
Metro Code Chapter 11.12 makes it unlawful for anyone, not just students, to loiter, idle, wander, stroll or play in, about or on any public, private or parochial school, college or seminary grounds or building without lawful business connected to the school, on foot or in a vehicle. The same section also bars disturbing classes, molesting students or staff, lewd conduct on campus, and parking nearby to entice students into a vehicle. It covers Metro Nashville and Davidson County outside the six satellite cities, which run their own codes. Separate sections bar loitering for prostitution (§ 11.16.030) and school-hours loitering by truant minors (§ 11.28.080).
Violations & Fines
Violating Metro's general penalty schedule (§ 1.01.030) carries a fine up to $50 per offense, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this loitering law apply only to students?
Is there a different rule for truant kids loitering during school hours?
Does this apply in Belle Meade or the other satellite cities?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee public conduct overview
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