Knox County has no separate garage-sale-sign category; such signs are regulated as temporary signs. They cannot be fixed to poles, trees, fences, or anything in a street right-of-way, cannot obstruct traffic vision, and cannot sit in the public right-of-way. Small residential signs generally stay under 9 square feet.
The Knox County Zoning Ordinance treats a garage or yard sale sign as a temporary sign. Temporary signs may not be erected or fixed to any pole, tree, stone, fence, building, structure, or object within a street right-of-way, and may not be placed at an intersection so as to obstruct clear vision or be confused with a traffic device. Generally no sign may be placed in a public right-of-way except publicly owned or county-highway-department-approved signs. Residential-zone signs typically may not exceed 9 square feet without a permit. Portable signs are prohibited countywide. Remove sale signs promptly once the event ends. City of Knoxville rules differ inside city limits.
Signs in the right-of-way or on public poles/trees may be removed; portable-sign violations carry a misdemeanor citation and fines up to $50 per offense, each day a separate offense.
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