Knox County, TN Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Article VI of Chapter 38, Public Health and Safety Nuisances, defines a public health or safety nuisance in Sec. 38-201 to include rodent or insect infestation, along with unsanitary storage of trash or refuse that creates rodent harborage or fly breeding, standing water breeding mosquitoes, unburied dead animals, and improperly discarded medical sharps. Rodent is defined narrowly as a rat or mouse, and infestation means the presence of rodents, insects, or other pests in kind or number sufficient to cause a health hazard. Sec. 38-202 makes it a violation for any person to allow, create, keep, or maintain such a nuisance.

The director of the Knox County Health Department, or a designee, is authorized under Sec. 38-203 to inspect occupied or vacant property at reasonable times to check for a nuisance, and may seek a search warrant if the owner or occupant denies access. When a nuisance is found, Sec. 38-204 requires the director to notify the property owner or responsible party in writing by registered or certified mail, describing the nuisance and setting an abatement deadline of not less than 24 hours nor more than 15 days, extendable only on the responsible party's request and a good-faith showing that more time is needed.

Failing to abate within that window is a civil infraction under Sec. 38-205, prosecuted in the Knox County Environmental Court, which has jurisdiction over all article violations. 00, with each additional day of violation counted as a separate offense; a default judgment can be entered if the cited party fails to appear.