Kingsport, TN Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Two sections of Chapter 6 in the Kingsport Code work together. Section 6-2 covers possession: no person can possess open or unsealed cans, bottles or containers of beer, wine or alcoholic beverage in or upon a motor vehicle while it is traveling or parked on the public streets, alleys or highways of the city, or while on the premises of any public parking area, public park, playground, auditorium, theater, stadium, school, school grounds or any public place. Section 6-3 covers drinking and display: it is unlawful to drink or consume those beverages, or to display, exhibit or show openly an open or unsealed container, on any public street or sidewalk or in the same list of public locations.

The definitions in section 6-1 set how far this reaches. "Open" means any opening or breach through which the contents of a can, bottle or container can pass to be consumed. "Unsealed" means the original seal, cork, cap or other enclosing device is broken or removed, or the federal revenue strip stamp has been broken. "Public place" means any location frequented by the public, or where the public is present or likely to be present, and it expressly includes the premises of any shopping center, manufactured housing complex or apartment house complex, but not premises used solely as a private residence.

Section 6-3(b) lists seven exceptions: patrons of premises licensed for on-premises consumption while in or upon those premises; patrons of premises occupied by lease or license for private purposes and not open to the general public; patrons of licensed premises where the lessee can control attendance; premises granted special permission by the city beverage board or the state alcoholic beverage commission; holders of a beverage board temporary outdoor service permit; holders of a special permit for outdoor service areas or a permit for sidewalk cafe dining; and holders of a special event permit who follow the rules of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the beverage board. Section 6-3(c) adds that these exceptions can include outdoor areas. Section 6-2(b) separately exempts motorized golf-course carts used to play golf on an established golf course, and passengers on a commercial pedal carriage operated under section 26-155 et seq.