03/31/2026
We have been getting a lot of questions in regards to the “All Terrain Vehicles”operating on the roadways lately. Here is the legal wording from our city ordinance manual. City ordinances are in compliance with state law. Only difference now is you are not required to purchase a permit from the city to ride on the roadway.
15-122. All-terrain vehicles. (1) For the purpose of this section,
all-terrain vehicles are ATV, UTV, dirt bikes and similar type vehicles
determined to be suitable and appropriate for safe operation on the streets of the
City of Rocky Top, Tennessee.
(2) The operation of any such vehicle shall be subject to the following
conditions or restrictions:
(a) Vehicle shall be registered and have a permit with the City
of Rocky Top.
(b) Operators shall be sixteen (16) or older and have a valid
driver's license.
(c) The riding times are during daylight hours which include
the thirty (30) minutes before dawn and the thirty (30) minutes after
dusk.
(d) Riders must stay on designated and posted roads.
15-7
(e) Must carry liability insurance and be able to provide proof
if requested.
(f) All riders must wear a protective helmet of a type approved
by Tennessee Department of Transportation.
(g) Riders must lawfully obey all rules of the road applicable to
other motor vehicles.
(h) Any such vehicle operated within the city shall be operated
in a safe manner.
(i) Regular safety checkpoints will be conducted to ensure that
rides are following procedures
(j) Any violation to the state laws and the rules listed here will
result in loss of privileges to operate vehicle on the specified paved road.
(3) The following described streets and roadways within the City of
Rocky Top are hereby designated as open to all-terrain vehicle use:
(a) State Route 116 from its intersection with Beech Grove Lane
to its intersection with U.S. Highway 25W;
(b) State Route 116 (U.S. Highway 25W) from its intersection
with Colonial Lane southward to its intersection with Jacksboro Avenue;
(c) Mountainside Lane from 120 Mountainside Lane to its
intersection with Colonial Lane, and then southeastward on Colonial
Lane to its intersection with State Route 116 (U.S. Highway 25W); and
(d) Boling Road from 167 Boling Road to its intersection with
Railroad Avenue, then southward on Railroad Avenue to its intersection
with Norris Freeway (U.S. Highway 441), and then eastward on Norris
Freeway (U.S. Highway 441) to its intersection with State Route 116
(U.S. Highway 25W).
(4) Violators of the provisions of this section, which are not a violation
of Tennessee Code Annotated, § 55-8-185, shall be punishable by a civil penalty
of no more than fifty dollars ($50.00) and/or loss of permit. (Ord. #494, June
2016, as amended by Ord. #511, June 2017
