Nashville regulates signs under Title 17, Chapter 17.32 of the Metro Code. Political signs on private property are generally protected under the First Amendment, but must comply with size and placement requirements. Signs cannot be placed on public property, utility poles, or rights-of-way. Tennessee law (T.C.A. § 2-7-143) also protects the right to display political signs on private property.
The Metro Nashville sign code permits temporary political signs on private property without a sign permit, subject to size limitations. Signs must not obstruct sight lines at intersections or be placed within the public right-of-way. State law specifically prohibits HOAs from banning political signs during election periods (60 days before through 7 days after an election). Signs on commercial property may have additional zoning restrictions. The Metro sign code was updated to comply with the Supreme Court's Reed v. Town of Gilbert content-neutrality requirements.
Signs placed on public property or rights-of-way may be removed by Metro Public Works. Violations of the sign code can result in citations with fines. HOAs that remove political signs during protected election periods may face civil liability.
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