No, sleeping on a refrigerator in your Tennessee backyard is not illegal. This notion stems from lists of “weird laws” often misattributed across states, with the fridge-sleeping claim actually linked to Pennsylvania in some versions.
Origins of the Myth
Urban legend compilations circulate quirky prohibitions like this one, but no Tennessee statute, municipal code, or regulation bans it. Similar hoaxes include outdated or fabricated rules, such as Pennsylvania’s alleged outdoor fridge-sleeping ban, which lacks legal basis in current codes.
Actual Tennessee Laws
Tennessee regulates nuisances (e.g., unsafe structures under local zoning) and property use, but nothing targets backyard appliances or sleeping positions. Refrigerator rules appear only in childcare or food safety contexts, like proper storage temperatures, unrelated to personal property use.
Practical Considerations
Local ordinances might address eyesores or hazards (e.g., blocking drainage), but sleeping on one poses no inherent crime—focus on safety to avoid personal injury claims. Verify county rules for any backyard restrictions, though none prohibit this specifically.​
