Nashville, TN Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- No trailer/watercraft storage in front yard
- Where allowed
- Paved/graveled driveway or behind front facade
- Applies to
- Single-family & two-family residential lots
- Boat motor threshold
- 25+ HP needs TWRA registration
- Not covered
- Six satellite cities have their own codes
Summary
Metro Nashville bans front-yard storage of trailers and watercraft on single-family and two-family lots: they must sit on a paved or graveled driveway or behind the home's front facade.
No trailer or watercraft located on Private single family or two-family residential property shall be stored in the front yard of the property, but shall be stored on a paved or graveled driveway, or behind the front facade of the residential structure. For purposes of this subsection the following definitions shall apply: "Trailer" means every non-motorized vehicle drawn by a motor vehicle designed for carrying or transporting persons or property. "Watercraft" means every vessel used or capable of being used as a means of transporting persons on water, including motorized and non-motorized devices. All watercraft must be fully operational and, if such watercraft is equipped with a motor that is twenty-five horsepower (25HP) in size or greater, such watercraft must have affixed thereto a current registration issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
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
Metropolitan Code of Laws § 16.24.330(P) prohibits storing any trailer or watercraft in the front yard of private single-family or two-family residential property. Owners must park them on a paved or graveled driveway or move them behind the front facade of the house. "Trailer" covers any non-motorized vehicle towed by a motor vehicle; "watercraft" covers any vessel used or capable of transporting people on water. A watercraft with a motor of 25 horsepower or more must carry a current Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency registration. The rule reaches the whole Metro General Services District but not the six satellite cities, Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Goodlettsville, Oak Hill and Ridgetop, which enforce their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Metro's Department of Codes Administration issues a notice of violation; ignoring it is prosecuted as a misdemeanor, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my boat trailer in my Nashville front yard?
Does this rule cover self-propelled motorhomes too?
Does my boat need to be registered to sit in my driveway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
How Nashville compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee parking rules overview
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