Smyrna, TN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 16-210 of the Smyrna Municipal Code is the town's permit rule for private use of the curb and sidewalk line. No one can cut, build, or maintain a driveway across a curb or sidewalk without first obtaining a permit from the Director of Public Works. The word maintain matters: an existing driveway crossing the sidewalk is covered too. The permit will not be issued when the driveway would be located or built so as to create an unreasonable hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

The section prints physical limits. No driveway can exceed 35 feet in width at its outer or street edge. When two or more adjoining driveways serve the same property, a safety island of not less than ten feet in width at its outer or street edge must be provided between them. Driveway aprons cannot extend out onto the street.

Section 16-210 also pulls in the excavation chapter. The provisions on deposits and letters of credit, safety restrictions, restoration, insurance, time limits, supervision, and permit fees apply to curb cuts. In practice that means a cash deposit set by the Director of Public Works, or a letter of credit from a financial institution in Rutherford or Davidson County under § 16-204; a certificate of insurance under § 16-207 with bodily injury limits no lower than those in the Governmental Tort Liability Act; a stated completion time under § 16-208; and notice to the Director at least ten hours before refilling begins under § 16-209. The permit fee is set by the Town Council in the annual fee schedule under § 16-203, and § 16-202 requires the application to state the location, size, purpose, and contractor.

Digging in a street, alley, or public place is a separate permit under § 16-201, with an emergency exception for people maintaining underground facilities, who must apply on the first regular business day and get a retroactive permit. Overhead encroachments are handled elsewhere: projecting signs and awnings follow the building code under § 16-104, and banners across a street need express Town Council authorization under § 16-105.