The short answer: for most commercial productions using Nashville's public streets, sidewalks or public right-of-way, yes.
If you're planning a commercial photo shoot, advertising campaign, music video, branded-content shoot or film production on the streets of Nashville, you'll likely need to coordinate with the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT).
The good news? Nashville's film permitting process is relatively straightforward.
Here's what producers should know.
When Do You Need a Nashville Film Permit?
According to Metro Nashville, a film permit is required for film, video or still photography involving public property when your production does things such as:
Films on Metro streets or other public property
Impacts or closes a sidewalk
Closes or temporarily stops a traffic lane
Impedes vehicle traffic
Uses on-street parking for production vehicles, cast, crew or craft services
Requires parking meters to be bagged
Places lights, cameras, flats or other production equipment on public property
The Metro Nashville Film + Special Events Permit Office oversees the process.
If you're planning anything beyond a very minimal footprint on a Nashville street, it's worth speaking with the permit office early.
How Much Is a Nashville Film Permit?
The standard Metro Nashville Film Permit Application fee is currently $130.
That's the base application fee.
Your total permitting costs can increase if the production requires additional use of the public right-of-way, including reserved parking, street or lane closures, sidewalk closures or traffic control.
For example, Metro's current film permit materials list reserved paid parking spaces at $21 per space, per day.
Temporary street, lane and sidewalk closure permits currently start at $160 for up to five days.
Current requirements and fees are available through the Nashville Department of Transportation Permit Office.
How Long Does a Nashville Film Permit Take?
Metro requires a film permit application to be submitted at least three business days before the first shoot date.
For production purposes, we'd recommend giving yourself 5–7 business days whenever possible.
If the shoot involves traffic control, street closures, significant production parking or coordination with multiple departments, allow more time.
Three business days is the minimum.
It doesn't need to become the production schedule.
What About a Small Handheld Shoot?
This is where production footprint matters.
A photographer and talent walking through a neighborhood with a handheld camera is very different from a commercial production arriving with lighting, stands, carts, generators, grip equipment and 20 crew members.
If your production is going to occupy public space, interfere with pedestrians or traffic, place equipment in the right-of-way or reserve public parking, you should expect permitting to come into the conversation.
For a genuinely minimal-footprint shoot where you're unsure whether a permit is required, contact the Metro Nashville Film + Special Events Permit Office and describe exactly what you're planning.
It's much easier to ask before the shoot than explain it from the sidewalk at call time.
What If You're Shooting on Private Property?
If your shoot takes place entirely on private property, you'll need permission from the property owner and usually a location agreement.
But don't forget about everything happening outside the property.
Let's say you've rented a restaurant for a commercial.
The camera and talent are inside, but your grip truck is parked at the curb, the motorhome is occupying metered spaces and equipment is staged on the sidewalk.
Your location may be private.
Your production footprint isn't.
That's why permitting and location logistics should be considered together.
Can You Reserve Street Parking for a Nashville Shoot?
Yes, depending on the location and availability.
Metro's current film permit materials allow productions to request paid public parking spaces for production vehicles, cast, crew and production support.
The current fee for paid spaces is $21 per space, per day, and Metro requires at least three business days' notice.
For larger productions, figure out parking while you're scouting.
Don't wait until after the location is locked to discover that the nearest place for the grip truck is six blocks away.
What If You Need to Close a Street?
Street closures require additional coordination with NDOT.
If you're requesting a temporary street, lane, bike lane or sidewalk closure, you'll need the appropriate right-of-way approval and may also need a traffic-control plan, barricades or other measures depending on the production.
Current temporary closure permit fees start at $160 for up to five days.
You can review the current process through NDOT's Temporary Street Closure Permit information.
For larger motion or automotive productions, start this conversation early.
What About Filming on Broadway?
Yes, you can film on Lower Broadway.
But because Broadway is one of Nashville's busiest pedestrian and entertainment districts, the logistics deserve additional planning.
Equipment, public parking, sidewalks, traffic, venue access, crowds and production vehicles can all affect how you approach the shoot.
We've broken that down separately in our guide: Can You Film on Broadway in Nashville? A Production Guide to Lower Broadway.
What About Nashville Parks?
Metro Parks has a separate commercial filming and photography permitting process.
If you're considering a park, greenway or other Metro Parks property, review the current requirements through Metro Parks' Film, Video + Photography Permit information.
Don't assume your standard street permit automatically covers park property.
The Short Version
Do you need a permit to film on the streets of Nashville?
For commercial productions using Nashville's public streets, sidewalks, parking or other Metro-controlled property, generally yes.
The standard Metro Nashville film permit application is currently $130 and must be submitted at least three business days before filming.
Additional permits and fees may apply if you need reserved parking, street or lane closures, sidewalk closures, traffic control or other use of the public right-of-way.
For a straightforward commercial shoot, we recommend allowing 5–7 business days whenever possible.
And if you're not sure whether your footprint requires a permit?
Ask before you roll.
Need Help Permitting a Nashville Shoot?
Nashville Location Company provides location scouting, sourcing, vetting, location management and permitting support for commercial photography, advertising, branded content, film and motion productions throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Send us your shoot dates, proposed locations and basic production footprint.
We can help determine what needs to be permitted, what the location can realistically support and where we're going to put all those production vehicles nobody included in the reference images.