Knoxville, TN Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

City Code § 13-193 makes it unlawful to throw, dump, or deposit litter on property owned by another person or on any public highway, street, park, recreation area, or other public property not designated for that use. Section 13-194 creates a presumption that litter thrown from a vehicle was dumped by the driver, or by the registered owner if the driver is unknown. Unauthorized dumping is also declared a public nuisance under § 13-197, letting the city order abatement within 48 hours and bill cleanup costs, including attorney's fees, to the violator. Because Article VI sets no separate fine, violations are punished under the Code's general penalty, § 1-9.