Nashville's Curfew Laws: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles curfew laws a little differently. In Nashville, Tennessee, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Park Curfew

Metro Nashville parks close at 11 p.m. and reopen a half hour before sunrise; entering or remaining without board permission violates the parks and recreation code across Davidson County's general services district.

Key details: Curfew hours: 11:00 p.m. to 30 min before sunrise. Enforcing agency: Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation. Coverage area: All parks under board supervision, general services district. Maximum fine: $50 per violation, general penalty schedule. Exception: Permitted with general or special board permission.

Violating the park curfew is a code misdemeanor punished under the general penalty schedule: a fine up to $50, with each night's continued violation counted as a separate offense.

Juvenile Curfew

Metro Nashville prohibits anyone 17 or younger from public places without a parent from 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and midnight Friday-Saturday during the school year, midnight nightly in summer, until 5 a.m.

Key details: School-year hours: 11 p.m.–5 a.m. Sun–Thu, midnight Fri–Sat. Summer hours: Midnight–5 a.m. nightly, June–August. Age covered: 17 and under (unemancipated minors). Parent penalty: Up to $50 fine per violation. Enforcement: Metro Nashville Police, Juvenile Court.

First offense: officer can return the juvenile home with a warning. Repeat or serious violations bring a juvenile citation, juvenile court referral, or a citation to the parent, who faces up to a $50 fine.

Compared to other cities, Nashville takes a harder line on juvenile curfew. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Nashville's curfew laws rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Nashville is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Nashville's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.