Smyrna, TN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

The core rule in the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee is one sentence long and it is broad. Under § 16-101 no person can use or occupy any portion of a public street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way for three purposes: storing, selling, or exhibiting. The items covered are goods, wares, merchandise, or materials, so a sidewalk sale table, a display rack of merchandise, and a pile of building materials left on the public way all fall inside the words the Town Council adopted. The section contains no permit route and no exception, so the prohibition is flat.

Several neighboring sections in Title 16, Chapter 1 cover other ways of blocking a public way. Section 16-111 makes it unlawful to ride, lead, or tie an animal, or to ride, push, pull, or make a vehicle cross or sit upon a sidewalk in a manner that unreasonably interferes with or inconveniences pedestrians, and it makes a person responsible for a minor under his or her control who does the same knowingly. Section 16-106 bars letting a gate or door swing open onto or over a street, alley, or sidewalk except when required by law. Section 16-108 prohibits obstructing any drainage ditch in a public right-of-way or public easement. Section 16-107 prohibits placing refuse, glass, tacks, mud, or other objects on a street, alley, sidewalk, or other public property. Section 16-114 bans roadblocks, defined as standing in a public street with a sign or poster or to seek funds from motorists.

Overhead obstructions are handled separately. Signs, awnings, and other structures projecting over a public way must meet the building code under § 16-104, and § 16-105 bars a banner or sign across or above a public street or alley unless the Town Council expressly authorizes it after finding that no hazard will be created. Work that blocks a sidewalk is covered by § 16-205, which requires a temporary sidewalk that is safe for travel and convenient for users. The Director of Public Works supervises maintenance of streets and other public ways under § 16-113.