Special Events & Permits in Nashville, TN (2026)
7 verified special events & permits rules for Nashville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Metro Nashville requires a special event permit before closing a street for a block party expected to draw more than 75 people, issued by the mayor's office of film and special events.
Block Party Permit Rules in Nashville
Some RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 2.62.040
A permit is required for a special event when the special event involves the use of public property or impacts the public right-of-way.2.A permit is required for a metropolitan event.3.A permit is required for a special event when the special event is held on public property, except in the following instances:a.When the event is held at the Nashville Convention Center; orb.When the event is hel...
Park Event Permits
Metro Nashville requires a Board of Parks and Recreation permit before holding any meeting, ceremony, speech, or organized gathering in a park, with permits denied only for private/commercial use or scheduling conflicts.
Nashville Park Gathering Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 13.24.200
No person shall erect any structure, stand or platform, hold any meeting, perform any ceremony, make a speech, address or oration, or exhibit or distribute any sign, placard, notice, declaration or appeal of any kind or description, in any park except by permit issued by the board.B.Upon application, such permit will be issued unless:1.The use for which the permit is sought is of a private or c...
Parade Permits
Metro Nashville requires a parade permit from the police chief filed at least six days ahead, with recreational parades needing liability insurance and security.
Nashville Parade Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 12.56.030
No person shall parade, unless a parade permit has been obtained from the chief of police, or his/her designee, upon application filed with the chief of police not less than six days before the date on which it is proposed to conduct the parade. Any request for a permit to parade in or upon a park shall be approved by the director of parks and recreation, in accordance with Section 13.24.150. (...
Street Fair Rules
Metro Nashville requires a special event permit for any street fair or festival on public property, with a $230 permit fee plus administrative fees for right-of-way use, filed 45 days ahead.
Nashville Street Fair Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 2.62.040
A.Permit Required or Not Required.1.A permit is required for a special event when the special event involves the use of public property or impacts the public right-of-way.2.A permit is required for a metropolitan event.3.A permit is required for a special event when the special event is held on public property, except in the following instances:a.When the event is held at the Nashville Conventi...
Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way
Metro Nashville requires a permit from the Mayor's Office of Film and Special Events for any commercial filming that uses public property or the right-of-way, and filming permits can never bump an already-established special event from its regular time and place.
Commercial Filming Rules in Nashville
Some RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 2.62.030
No person shall allow or conduct filming activities as referenced above, without a permit from the mayor's office of film and special events. ... Priority. Where applications to use facilities overlap or conflict, preference shall be given to that application which was filed earliest, provided that no special event or filming permit shall be approved which would displace an established special ...
Parklets
Metro Nashville requires a one-year NDOT permit before anyone installs a parklet or streatery in a street parking stall, with a $150 nonrefundable fee and mandatory neighbor support letters.
Nashville Parklet and Streatery Permits
Significant RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 13.32.166
"Parklet" means a small public gathering space, occupying up to two parking stalls or a loading zone, as applicable, on the public street... "Streatery" means up to two parking stalls or a loading zone... used either as an extension of, or a stand-alone sidewalk cafe... Any person who maintains and/or operates any parklets or streatery facility withing the public right-of-way without obtaining ...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Metro Nashville requires a yearly NDOT permit before any restaurant can set up permanent sidewalk cafe dining in the public right-of-way, with a $100 application fee plus an annual per-square-foot use charge.
Nashville Sidewalk Cafe Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMetropolitan Code of Laws § 13.32.165
Sidewalk cafe dining facilities are authorized to be located within the public right-of-way, not including parking, unloading/loading, and travel lanes, subject to the rules and regulations of subsection D. Revisions to said regulations shall require the approval of the director of the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure ("NDOT") and the approval of the metropol...