STREET CLOSURES + INTERMITTENT TRAFFIC CONTROL FOR FILMING
Planning a Nashville shoot that requires control of a street or moving traffic?
Productions that close a street, temporarily stop a lane of traffic or otherwise impede vehicle traffic require permitting and coordination with Metro Nashville.
This can apply to productions shooting:
Driving scenes
Talent crossing or working in a roadway
Picture vehicles
Car-to-car photography
Large equipment positioned near or within a roadway
Scenes requiring temporary control of moving traffic
Locations requiring a full or partial street closure
STREET + LANE CLOSURES
The Nashville Department of Transportation + Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) handles right-of-way permits for temporary street and lane closures.
All right-of-way permit applications are currently submitted through Nashville's ePermits system.
NDOT Temporary Street Closure Permits
HOW MUCH DOES A STREET CLOSURE PERMIT COST?
As of August 2026, NDOT lists the following fee for a temporary street or lane closure:
$160 for up to five days
An additional $10 per day applies after the fifth day.
These costs are separate from the standard Nashville Film Permit and any costs associated with police, traffic-control personnel, barricades or other production requirements.
Always confirm current fees directly with NDOT when budgeting your production.
WHAT IS INTERMITTENT TRAFFIC CONTROL?
Intermittent traffic control generally refers to temporarily stopping and releasing traffic rather than completely closing a roadway for the duration of a shoot.
This may be necessary for a driving shot, picture vehicle, talent working in or near the roadway or another shot that cannot safely be accomplished with normal traffic moving through the production area.
Don't assume that a brief traffic hold can simply be handled by production crew.
If your shot requires control of public traffic, discuss the plan with Metro during permitting so they can determine what permits, traffic-control measures or personnel are required.
DO YOU NEED POLICE FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL?
Depending on the production and location, Metro may require police or other approved traffic-control personnel.
The Metro Nashville Police Department's Custom Services Division coordinates off-duty police personnel for private businesses and organizations, including services related to traffic control.
Metro Nashville Police Custom Services Division
The number and type of personnel required will depend on the location and scope of the production.
DO YOU NEED A TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN?
NDOT currently requires a traffic control plan with every right-of-way permit submission.
If a sidewalk, crosswalk or bike lane is affected, pedestrian and cyclist traffic control must also be addressed.
NDOT provides standard traffic-control templates for certain situations. A site-specific plan prepared by a licensed engineer may be required when the standard templates don't fit the proposed closure or conditions.
NDOT Traffic Control Guidelines
YOU MAY ALSO NEED A NASHVILLE FILM PERMIT
A street or lane closure permit does not replace the Nashville Film Permit.
Metro requires a film permit when filming activity takes place on public property, closes a street, temporarily stops a lane or otherwise impedes vehicle traffic.
Metro Nashville Film + Special Events
PLAN TRAFFIC CONTROL EARLY
If your creative involves a driving shot, street closure or control of moving traffic, bring it up early in pre-production.
The exact requirements can depend on:
The street
Time of day
Traffic volume
Length of the closure or traffic hold
Number of lanes affected
Intersections
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic
Production equipment
Picture vehicles
Public safety requirements
A beautiful road isn't necessarily a practical filming location once traffic control, permitting and logistics are taken into consideration.
OFFICIAL RESOURCES
Metro Nashville Film + Special Events
NDOT Temporary Street Closure Permits