HOW TO GET A FILM PERMIT IN NASHVILLE?
If you're planning a commercial film, television, video or photography production in Nashville, getting the right permits starts with figuring out who controls the property you're filming on and how your production will impact the surrounding area.
For filming involving Metro Nashville property, the Office of Film and Special Events oversees the coordination and permitting process for Nashville and Davidson County.
The basic process is fairly straightforward, but additional approvals may be required if you're filming in a Metro park, closing or restricting a street or sidewalk, controlling traffic, using other government property or planning a more complicated production footprint.
Here's where to start.
STEP 1: DETERMINE WHERE YOU'RE FILMING
Before applying for anything, identify exactly where the production will take place.
Is the location:
Metro Nashville property?
A public street or sidewalk?
A Metro Nashville park?
Private property?
A Tennessee state road?
Tennessee state-owned property?
A combination of public and private property?
The answer determines which agencies and permits may be involved.
Metro Nashville's Office of Film and Special Events is the primary starting point for local film permitting.
Metro Nashville Film + Special Events Permits
STEP 2: DOWNLOAD THE FILM PRODUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION
Metro Nashville uses a Film Production Permit Application & Location Agreement for productions filming on Metro property.
The application asks for information about the production company, project, filming locations, dates, hours and production activity.
Download the Metro Nashville Film Production Permit Application + Location Agreement
Always download the current version directly from Metro rather than relying on an old saved application.
STEP 3: HAVE YOUR LOCATION INFORMATION READY
Before submitting the application, you should have a reasonably firm understanding of your production footprint.
That means knowing more than simply:
"We're shooting downtown."
Be prepared to provide accurate information about your locations, shoot dates and production requirements.
It's also smart to have a handle on:
Crew size
Cast size
Production vehicles
Equipment
Load-in and load-out
Parking needs
Sidewalk usage
Street or lane impacts
Traffic control
Special equipment
Any activity extending beyond the primary filming location
The more complicated the footprint, the more likely additional coordination will be necessary.
STEP 4: SECURE YOUR CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
Metro requires proof of liability insurance as part of the film permit process.
According to Metro Nashville's current Film Production Permit Application, productions must provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance from an insurance company authorized to do business in Tennessee and acceptable to Metro.
The current minimum general liability requirement is $1,000,000.
If automobiles are being used as part of the production, automobile liability coverage is also required.
Make sure your insurance broker follows Metro's current Certificate of Insurance requirements rather than simply sending a generic COI.
Metro Nashville Film + Special Events Permit Resources
STEP 5: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION EARLY
Metro Nashville's current Film Production Permit Application states that applications must be submitted for review at least three business days before the first shoot date.
Three business days should be treated as a minimum—not necessarily your production schedule.
A straightforward shoot and a production requesting street restrictions, police assistance, park access or multiple government-controlled locations are very different permitting situations.
Whenever possible, begin the process as soon as your locations and dates are firm.
Metro also states that revisions to an existing application must be submitted within 48 hours, or two business days, of the first shoot date. Changes require additional review and approval, and Metro specifically notes that approval of last-minute changes is not guaranteed.
STEP 6: PAY THE FILM PERMIT FEE
Metro requires full payment before the film permit can be issued.
Permit fees can change, so check the current Film Production Permit Application rather than building a future budget around an old fee.
You should also remember that the basic film permit fee may not represent the entire permitting cost of your shoot.
Additional costs may arise if your production requires things such as:
Street or lane closures
Traffic control
Police personnel
Metro Parks permits
Special access
Other government agencies
Additional use of public property
View the Current Metro Film Permit Application
STEP 7: DETERMINE WHETHER YOU NEED ADDITIONAL PERMITS
This is one of the most important parts of permitting a Nashville shoot.
A Metro film permit does not necessarily mean every other aspect of your production is automatically approved.
FILMING IN METRO PARKS
Commercial film, video and photography shoots in Metro Parks have a separate Parks permitting process.
Metro Parks currently requires an application, agreement and Certificate of Insurance before processing and issuing its permit. The Parks application also states that film and video projects require a permit through Metro's Film Division.
Metro Parks Film, Video + Photography Permit Application
STREET, LANE OR SIDEWALK IMPACTS
If your production needs to close or restrict a street, lane or sidewalk, additional coordination and permitting may be required.
Metro's Film and Special Events Office specifically identifies street closures as a separate permit resource.
Metro Nashville Film + Special Events Permit Resources
TRAFFIC CONTROL + POLICE
Driving shots, intermittent traffic control, street closures and productions affecting vehicle or pedestrian movement may require coordination beyond the standard film application.
Discuss these needs with the Film and Special Events Office before locking your production plan.
STATE ROADS + STATE PROPERTY
Not every road or public property in the Nashville area falls under Metro Nashville.
Productions using Tennessee-controlled roads, highways or state property may need to coordinate with state agencies.
Tennessee Department of Transportation
Tennessee Entertainment Commission
STEP 8: DON'T ASSUME PRIVATE PROPERTY MEANS YOU'RE DONE
If your shoot takes place entirely on private property and doesn't affect public property, the Metro permitting situation may be much simpler.
But look at the entire production footprint, not just where the camera is pointing.
For example, you could have a privately owned restaurant as your location while your:
Grip truck is on a public street
Equipment stages on a sidewalk
Crew occupies a public alley
Generator sits in the public right-of-way
Shot requires control of pedestrian traffic
Those elements can change what approvals are necessary.
You'll also want a written agreement with the property owner covering the production's use of the location.
STEP 9: WAIT FOR APPROVAL BEFORE TREATING THE LOCATION AS PERMITTED
Submitting an application is not the same thing as receiving a permit.
Metro's current application requires the completed application, signed location agreement, Certificate of Liability Insurance and full payment before the permit can be issued.
Don't assume you're cleared simply because the paperwork has been sent.
And don't make substantial last-minute changes without communicating them. Changing the location, date or production requirements can require a revised application and another approval.
HOW LONG DOES A NASHVILLE FILM PERMIT TAKE?
Metro currently requires film permit applications to be submitted at least three business days before the first shoot date.
That doesn't mean every production should wait until three business days out.
If your shoot involves multiple locations, Metro Parks, traffic control, street closures, police, state roads or unusual production activity, give yourself considerably more lead time.
A good production schedule leaves room to solve problems rather than relying on the minimum filing deadline.
NASHVILLE FILM PERMIT CHECKLIST
Before submitting, make sure you have:
Confirmed who controls each filming location
Identified your shoot dates and hours
Defined your production footprint
Completed the current Metro application
Obtained the required Certificate of Insurance
Identified production vehicle and parking needs
Identified any street, lane or sidewalk impacts
Determined whether traffic control or police will be necessary
Checked whether Metro Parks or another agency is involved
Submitted the application with enough lead time
Paid applicable fees
Received final approval before filming
OFFICIAL NASHVILLE FILM PERMIT RESOURCES
Metro Nashville Office of Film + Special Events
The Office oversees coordination and permitting for filming in Nashville and Davidson County.
Metro Nashville Film Production Permit
Current Film Production Permit Application + Location Agreement
Metro Nashville Parks + Recreation
Film, Video + Photography Permit Application
Tennessee Entertainment Commission
Production Resources + Tennessee Entertainment Commission
Tennessee Department of Transportation
NEED HELP PERMITTING A NASHVILLE SHOOT?
White Wall Locations is based in Nashville and provides local location scouting, location management, permitting and production support for commercial film and photography productions.
For out-of-town producers, we can help determine which agencies and approvals apply to your locations, coordinate local permitting needs and flag potential logistical issues before they become shoot-day problems.
Contact White Wall Locations for Nashville permitting + location support.
This guide is intended as a general production resource and does not replace instructions or approvals from Metro Nashville, the State of Tennessee, property owners or other governing agencies. Permit requirements, fees, forms and procedures can change. Always confirm current requirements directly with the applicable agency.