Good news: getting a film permit in Nashville is relatively straightforward.
If you're planning a commercial photo or motion shoot involving Nashville's streets, sidewalks, public parking or other Metro property, you'll likely need to coordinate with the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT).
The standard film permit application fee is currently $130, and Metro requires applications to be submitted at least three business days before your first shoot date.
Here's what you need to know.
When Do You Need a Film Permit in Nashville?
According to Metro Nashville, an NDOT film permit is required when film, video or still photography:
Takes place on public property, including Metro streets, buildings and other city facilities
Requires a street closure
Closes or temporarily stops a traffic lane
Impedes vehicle traffic
Closes or impacts a sidewalk
Requires 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
You can find current information through the Metro Nashville Film + Special Events Permit Office.
If you're filming entirely on private property without impacting the public right-of-way, your requirements may be different.
How Much Does a Nashville Film Permit Cost?
The standard Metro Nashville Film Permit Application fee is currently $130.
Keep in mind that $130 is the base film permit application—not necessarily the total cost of permitting your shoot.
Additional costs can apply if you're requesting things like street or lane closures, sidewalk closures, production parking, Metro Parks access or other uses of public property.
As of July 1, 2026, for example, NDOT lists a $160 permit fee for a temporary street, lane or sidewalk closure for up to five days, with additional daily fees after the fifth day.
You can review current fees through the Nashville Department of Transportation Permit Office.
How Long Does a Nashville Film Permit Take?
Metro requires film permit applications to be submitted at least three business days before the first shoot date.
That said, three days is the minimum—not necessarily the production schedule we'd recommend.
Whenever possible, we suggest allowing 5–7 business days for a straightforward shoot.
If you're requesting street closures, traffic control, significant production parking, Metro Parks access or anything requiring coordination between multiple departments, give yourself more time.
And if your locations are locked early?
File early. Nobody in production has ever complained that a permit was approved too soon.
What Do You Need to Submit?
For a standard Nashville film permit, you'll need more than just the application.
Metro requires a completed film permit application, signed location agreement, Certificate of Insurance and payment before the permit can be issued.
Productions are required to provide proof of general liability insurance from an insurer authorized to do business in Tennessee. Metro's current application requires coverage of at least $1 million, and automobile liability coverage is also required when vehicles are being used.
Metro provides insurance guidance and additional permitting resources through its Film + Special Events Permit Office.
What About Production Parking?
Parking is worth thinking about early—especially if you're shooting downtown or in one of Nashville's busier neighborhoods.
If production vehicles need reserved public street parking, metered spaces or other use of the public right-of-way, that should be addressed as part of your permitting plan.
Think beyond just the camera position.
Where is your grip truck going?
Where is the motorhome going?
Where are hair, makeup and wardrobe?
Where are 20 crew members parking at call?
A location may look easy on a scout and become considerably less easy once you add an actual production footprint.
For larger shoots, we recommend mapping out your location + basecamp + production parking before finalizing the permit request.
What If You Want to Film in a Nashville Park?
Metro Parks has its own commercial filming requirements and fees.
The current film/video permit fee is $150 per day for Davidson County residents or businesses and $180 per day for applicants located outside Davidson County.
Metro Parks notes that larger commercial shoots may require additional approval and fees depending on their size and impact.
Applications submitted with less than 48 hours' notice may not be granted, so this is another one we'd recommend handling well in advance.
You can review current requirements and apply through Metro Nashville Parks Film + Video Permits.
One notable exception is Warner Parks, where commercial film/video permitting is currently listed at $200 per hour with a two-hour minimum.
What About Street Closures?
This is where the permitting process can become more involved.
If your shoot needs to close a street, lane, bike lane or sidewalk, you'll need to coordinate the appropriate right-of-way permits with NDOT.
Current NDOT fees for temporary street, lane, bike-lane and sidewalk closures are $160 for up to five days, plus $10 per additional day.
Traffic-control requirements can also apply.
NDOT provides current requirements, fees and traffic-control information on its Temporary Street Closure Permit page.
For a small commercial shoot, you may never need this.
For automotive work, larger motion shoots or anything significantly affecting traffic, it's something to start discussing early.
Can You Make Changes After the Permit Is Submitted?
Yes, but don't leave them until the last minute.
Metro requires revisions to an existing film permit application—including changes to the date, location or additional requests—to be submitted at least two business days before the first shoot date.
Changes require additional review and aren't guaranteed to be approved.
Which is why the usual production rule applies:
Lock the locations. Then permit the locations.
The Short Version
If you're planning a commercial shoot in Nashville, here's the cheat sheet:
Standard Metro film permit: $130
Minimum application lead time: 3 business days
Recommended lead time: 5–7+ business days
General liability insurance: Minimum $1 million
Metro Parks film/video permit: $150/day local or $180/day non-resident
Temporary street/lane/sidewalk closure: Starting at $160
Additional permits, approvals and fees may apply depending on exactly what your production is doing.
Always confirm current requirements and fees directly with Metro Nashville before budgeting or filing your shoot.
Need Help Permitting a Shoot in Nashville?
Nashville Location Company provides location scouting, sourcing, vetting, location management and film permitting support for commercial photography, advertising, branded content, film and motion productions throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
We can help review your production footprint, determine which permits may be required, coordinate location logistics and handle the permitting process so your team can focus on the actual shoot.
Send us your shoot dates, locations and basic production details, and we'll help you figure out what needs to be permitted—and how much time you should allow.