DO YOU NEED A FILM PERMIT IN NASHVILLE?
DO YOU NEED A FILM PERMIT IN NASHVILLE?
The short answer: it depends on where you're filming and what your production needs to do.
If your production will be filming on or impacting Metro Nashville public property, streets, sidewalks, parks or other public areas, you may need a permit and potentially additional approvals depending on the scope of the shoot.
A small shoot taking place entirely on private property is a different situation from a commercial production occupying a sidewalk, parking production vehicles on a city street, filming in a Metro park or requesting traffic control.
The easiest way to determine what you need is to start with three questions:
Where are you filming?
How large is the production?
How will the production affect public property or the surrounding area?
FILMING ON METRO NASHVILLE PROPERTY
Metro Nashville's Office of Film and Special Events coordinates the permitting process for filming in Nashville and Davidson County.
Productions using Metro property should start with the City's Film Production Permit process.
Metro's current Film Production Permit Application requires a completed application and location agreement, Certificate of Insurance and payment before a permit can be issued.
The application currently requires submissions to be made at least three business days before the first shoot date.
Metro Nashville Film + Special Events Permits
Metro Nashville Film Production Permit Application + Location Agreement
Because requirements, forms and fees can change, always confirm current information directly with Metro Nashville before budgeting or scheduling your production.
HOW MUCH DOES A NASHVILLE FILM PERMIT COST?
As of August 2026, Metro Nashville's Film Production Permit Application lists the standard Film Permit Application fee as $230.
The application also lists a $235 Special Event Filming fee for certain large-scale setups, multi-day operations or significant use of the public right-of-way.
These fees should not necessarily be treated as the total cost of permitting your production.
Depending on the shoot, additional costs can arise from things such as:
Street, lane or sidewalk closures
Traffic control
Police personnel
Metro Parks
Additional government agencies
Special use of public property
Parking and production vehicles
Other location-specific requirements
Always verify current fees with the applicable Metro department when planning your shoot.
WHAT INSURANCE DO YOU NEED?
Metro Nashville currently requires productions applying for a Film Production Permit to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing comprehensive general liability coverage from an insurer authorized to do business in Tennessee and acceptable to Metro.
The current permit application requires coverage of at least $1,000,000.
If automobiles are being used as part of the production, automobile liability coverage is also required.
Insurance requirements can vary based on the property, activity and agencies involved, so your production should confirm the exact COI language and coverage requirements before submitting.
WHAT IF YOU'RE FILMING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY?
Filming entirely on private property may not require the same Metro film permit as filming on public property, but private property does not automatically mean there are no permitting or production requirements.
A private-property shoot can still interact with public infrastructure.
For example, your production might be filming inside a privately owned restaurant but also need to:
Stage equipment on the sidewalk
Park production vehicles on public streets
Restrict pedestrian access
Control traffic
Use a public alley
Place equipment in the public right-of-way
Film activity extending onto public property
Those elements can trigger additional Metro approvals even though your primary location is privately owned.
You will also generally want a written agreement with the property owner establishing the production's permission to use the location, along with the agreed dates, hours, fees, restrictions and other terms.
WHAT ABOUT SMALL PHOTO + VIDEO SHOOTS?
Don't assume that a small crew automatically means "no permit."
The location and the production's impact are often more important than simply counting crew members.
A photographer and subject working on private property is very different from the same photographer setting up equipment in a Metro park or blocking part of a public sidewalk.
If you're unsure, provide the Film and Special Events Office with an accurate description of what you're planning rather than trying to fit the production into a particular category yourself.
DO YOU NEED A PERMIT TO FILM IN A NASHVILLE PARK?
Commercial filming, video and professional photography in Metro Nashville Parks have their own permitting requirements.
Metro Parks currently requires an application, approval, Certificate of Insurance and payment before issuing its permit. Larger commercial shoots may require additional approvals and fees depending on their size and impact.
Importantly, Metro Parks states that film and video projects also require a permit through Metro's Film Division, meaning a park shoot can involve more than one approval.
Metro Nashville Parks Film, Video + Photography Permits
Metro Parks Film, Video + Photography Permit Application
Metro Parks also has specific rules around drones. Do not assume that FAA authorization alone gives you permission to launch or land a drone from park property.
WHAT IF YOU NEED TO CLOSE A STREET OR CONTROL TRAFFIC?
This is where a seemingly straightforward shoot can become considerably more involved.
If your production needs to close or restrict a street, lane or sidewalk, control vehicle or pedestrian traffic, or otherwise significantly occupy the public right-of-way, additional coordination may be necessary.
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) handles street-related permitting and works with other Metro departments when necessary.
Metro Nashville Film + Special Events Permit Resources
Don't wait until the day before the shoot to introduce traffic control, street closures or a major change in production footprint. These requests can involve additional review and coordination.
WHAT ABOUT STATE ROADS OR STATE-OWNED PROPERTY?
Metro Nashville does not control every potential filming location in Tennessee.
If you're leaving Metro property, filming on a state-controlled road or highway, or requesting access to state-owned property, additional state agencies may become involved.
The Tennessee Entertainment Commission is a useful starting point for productions coming into Tennessee and provides information about production resources, locations and filming in the state.
Tennessee Entertainment Commission
For road-related work outside Metro jurisdiction, productions may also need to coordinate with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
Tennessee Department of Transportation
WHAT ABOUT DRONES?
Drone filming is its own layer of planning.
FAA authorization and airspace rules are federal requirements and are separate from permission to use the property where you're operating.
This is particularly important around Downtown Nashville, large crowds, events and controlled airspace.
Before planning an aerial shoot, check current FAA requirements and airspace restrictions.
SO, DO YOU NEED A NASHVILLE FILM PERMIT?
If you're filming on Metro Nashville property or using public streets, sidewalks or other public infrastructure, start by assuming that some level of coordination or permitting may be necessary and confirm your specific requirements with Metro.
If you're filming entirely on private property without impacting public property, the situation may be simpler—but you still need to think through property permission, insurance, parking, production vehicles, neighbors, equipment and anything that extends beyond the property's boundaries.
And if you're using Metro Parks, state property, state roads, drones, street closures or traffic control, expect additional rules or agencies to come into play.
The safest approach is to figure this out during pre-production—not when the trucks are already pulling up.
OFFICIAL NASHVILLE + TENNESSEE FILM RESOURCES
Metro Nashville Film + Special Events
Film permitting and coordination for Nashville and Davidson County.
Metro Nashville Parks + Recreation
Commercial film, video and photography permitting for Metro Parks.
Metro Parks Film + Photography Permits
Tennessee Entertainment Commission
Statewide production information, resources and support.
Tennessee Entertainment Commission
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Starting point for filming involving Tennessee-controlled roads and highways.
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal drone regulations and airspace information.
NEED HELP WITH A NASHVILLE SHOOT?
White Wall Locations provides local Nashville location scouting, location management and production support, including helping out-of-town productions navigate location logistics and local permitting.
For productions coming into Nashville, having someone local involved early can help identify potential permitting issues, location restrictions, parking concerns and logistical problems before shoot day.
Contact White Wall Locations for Nashville location support.
This guide is intended as a production resource and does not replace instructions or approvals from Metro Nashville, the State of Tennessee, property owners or other governing agencies. Requirements and fees can change, so productions should always verify current information with the applicable agency.