Knox County, TN Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Mitigated littering
- $50.00 fine, 5 lbs / 7.5 cu ft or less
- Criminal littering
- Class B misdemeanor, 5-10 lbs
- Aggravated littering
- Class A misdemeanor, over 10 lbs
- Over 100 lbs
- $2,500-$4,000 fine or imprisonment
- Repeat offense
- Escalates to Class E felony
- Cleanup labor
- Up to 160 hours court-ordered
- Fines fund
- Illegal dump clean-up account, Sec. 26-131
Summary
Dumping more than ten pounds or 15 cubic feet of waste anywhere in Knox County is aggravated criminal littering under Sec. 26-125, a Class A misdemeanor that becomes a felony on repeat offenses. Fines collected under the litter article fund a dedicated illegal dump clean-up account the county must tap before spending general revenue on cleanup, per Sec. 26-131.
(a)Aggravated criminal littering is littering:(1)In an amount exceeding ten pounds in weight or 15 cubic feet in volume; or(2)In any amount for any commercial purpose.(b)Pursuant to T.C.A. § 39-14-505(b), aggravated criminal littering is a Class A misdemeanor; provided:(1)If the amount of litter exceeds 100 pounds in weight or 30 cubic feet in volume, then the defendant is subject to imprisonment as provided by law or a fine not less than $2,500.00, nor more than $4,000.00, or both; and(2)Pursuant to T.C.A. § 39-14-505(b)(2), aggravated criminal littering is a Class E felony upon:a.The third conviction in any amount exceeding ten pounds in weight or 15 cubic feet in volume; orb.The second conviction in any amount exceeding 1,000 pounds in weight or 200 cubic feet in volume or in any amount for any commercial purpose.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Knox County graduates illegal dumping penalties by weight and volume under Article V of Chapter 26. 00 fine under Sec. 26-123, payable directly to the court clerk in lieu of a court appearance. 5 up to 15 cubic feet, is a Class B misdemeanor under Sec. 26-124. Aggravated criminal littering, more than ten pounds or 15 cubic feet, or any amount dumped for a commercial purpose, is a Class A misdemeanor under Sec. 00, and a third conviction over ten pounds, or a second conviction over 1,000 pounds or for a commercial purpose, becomes a Class E felony.
Courts convicting under any of these tiers must also order litter cleanup along highways, playgrounds or parks: up to 40 hours for mitigated littering, 80 hours for criminal littering, and 160 hours for aggravated littering, plus up to eight hours at a recycling center at the judge's discretion. Sec. 26-131 channels the fines collected under this article into a dedicated illegal dump clean-up fund; when the county cannot identify who is responsible for a dump site, that fund must be used first to clear it before any general county money is spent, and the county must maintain separate accounting for its receipts and disbursements.
Violations & Fines
Penalties scale with the amount dumped: $50.00 for five pounds/7.5 cubic feet or less (Sec. 26-123), a Class B misdemeanor above that up to ten pounds/15 cubic feet (Sec. 26-124), and a Class A misdemeanor above that, rising to a $2,500-$4,000 fine or imprisonment past 100 pounds/30 cubic feet, and a Class E felony on repeat convictions (Sec. 26-125).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fine for illegal dumping in Knox County?
Does dumping trash for a business count differently?
Can a court order community service for illegal dumping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knox County
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