Nashville, TN Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitting agency
- NDOT
- Permit term
- One year, renewable annually
- Application fee
- $100 nonrefundable, plus footage fee
- Insurance required
- $1 million minimum liability coverage
- Pedestrian clearance
- 5 feet minimum, 4 feet if tight
Summary
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.
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 metropolitan council by ordinance.B.Any person who maintains and/or operates any sidewalk cafe dining facility within any public right-of-way without first obtaining a permit from the metropolitan government shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not to exceed the amount specified at Section 1.01.030 of the Metropolitan Code, and each day that such violation continues to occur shall be deemed a separate offense.
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
Under Metropolitan Code of Laws § 13.32.165, restaurants and dining establishments citywide can apply to NDOT for a one-year, renewable permit to operate sidewalk cafe dining facilities in the public right-of-way, excluding parking, loading and travel lanes. Permits require a $100 nonrefundable application fee plus an annual per-square-foot right-of-way use fee, $1 million liability insurance, written consent from the property owner if different from the applicant, and no permanent fixtures, stakes, or drilled supports. At least five feet of sidewalk (four feet in tight spots) must stay clear for pedestrians, and food preparation on the right-of-way is prohibited. NDOT can cancel or suspend any permit at any time for any reason.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit is a misdemeanor fined per Metropolitan Code § 1.01.030, with each day of continued operation a separate offense; NDOT may also cancel or suspend a permit for any reason at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for permanent sidewalk cafe seating in Nashville?
Can I install a permanent structure for my sidewalk cafe?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
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