Nashville, TN Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Davidson County Clerk or NDOT
- Vending zone
- DTC and CF districts only
- Fine
- Up to $50 per violation
- Revocation trigger
- 3 violations in 12 months
- Insurance required
- $1 million liability coverage
Summary
Nashville bans pushcarts, wagons and vending stands on public property and rights-of-way unless the vendor holds a Davidson County Clerk or NDOT permit and sells inside the approved downtown vending zone.
No person shall stop, stand or park any wagon, pushcart, platform, table, automobile, truck or other vehicle, or erect any temporary stands, signs or otherwise, upon or within any public property or public right-of-way of the metropolitan government for the purpose of selling or offering for sale any goods, food, wares, merchandise, or products of any kind...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Metro's Title 13 street code bars pushcarts, wagons, tables and temporary stands from public property and public rights-of-way when used to sell goods, absent departmental approval. A carve-out lets licensed street vendors operate: apply to the Davidson County Clerk or NDOT, pay the annual permit fee set by the traffic and parking commission, carry $1 million liability insurance, and get a metropolitan public health department permit if selling food or beverages. Vending is confined to the DTC and CF zoning districts, excluding Union Street/Korean Veterans Boulevard, Symphony Place, and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Vendors must display their permit and photo ID badge at all times.
Violations & Fines
Vending without a permit can be prosecuted under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-307, plus a Metro fine up to $50 under Metropolitan Code § 1.01.030; three violations in a twelve-month period triggers permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up a pushcart anywhere on a Nashville sidewalk?
What permit do I need to run a street cart in Nashville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
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