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Tennessee

Litter Laws

The 2007 Tennessee Litter Law is designed to help reduce trash

Smaller amounts of litter will be punished by a $50 fine, while larger fines are reserved for larger amounts. Offenders can mail in the payment to the county clerk or plead not guilty and face the officer in court. If the judge finds the offender guilty, the person must pay the $50 and court costs. It is hoped that this new law will encourage more enforcement, since the fines are more appropriate for the offenses, and in most cases the officer and the offender will not have to go to court. You can read the entire litter law here.

Litter Law Highlights

Litter Law Section 39-14-5 and punishments for violators

It is unlawful for anyone to knowingly and willingly discard litter (trash, rubbish, natural waste, etc.) where it is not supposed to be (anywhere other than trash recepticles or other noted waste removal site).

Local Law Enforcement is issuing tickets for litter, that includes: the City of Maryville, Alcoa, and the Blount County Sheriffs Department.

$50 Fine-Mitigated Criminal Littering

Section 39-14-503: Litter that is 5 lbs or less/7.5 cubic feet in volume (Cigarette Butts, bottles, cans, fast food bags/wrappers, sheets of paper, or other objects of similar size or weight). In addition to fine court, shall require 40 hours community service hours picking up litter. Class C Misdemeanor

$500 Fine - Criminal Littering

Section 39-14-504: Litter that is 5-10 lbs/15 cubic feet in volume (small bags of trash, stuffed animals, or other objects of similar size or weight). In addition to fine court, shall require 80 hours community service hours picking up litter and may include up to 6 months of jail time. Class B Misdemeanor

$2,500 fine - Aggrevated Criminal Littering

Section 39-14-505: Litter that is more than 10 lbs/over 15 cubic feet in volume. (would include kitchen size bag of trash or larger, appliances, furniture, 1 or more tires and any other objects of similar size or weight). In addition to fine court, shall require 160 hours community service hours picking up litter and may include up to 11 months 29 days of jail time. Class E Felony

3rd offense of over 10 pounds or 2nd offense of over 1,000 pounds. This could result in 1 to 6 years of jail time AND up to a $3,000 fine.

Section 39-14-507: Covered Load Law - includes trash/litter that falls out of backs of pick up trucks. Same fines apply from above.

Section 39-14-508: It is illegal to litter on public and PRIVATE property. Same fines apply from above.