According to the Metropolitan Fire Prevention Code (Metro Code of Ordinances Chapter 10.64) a property owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to conduct an operation, business, or install or modify systems and equipment that are regulated by this code, shall first make application to the Fire Marshal’s Office to obtain the required permit.
The table below contains a list of the available Operational Permits and their requirements for application. However, the detailed list of requirements for each permit is found in its attached corresponding document (detail sheet) and in (2018) NFPA 1.
These documents will provide a more detailed list of information and requirements needed for application, as well as requirements to pass inspection and stay in compliance after the permit has been issued. This important information can be accessed by clicking on the name of a specific permit.
Using the permit’s detail sheet, be sure that all required information and documentation has been obtained before beginning the application process. All required information and documentation must be uploaded during the application process.
All applications must be submitted a minimum of 15 business days prior to the event or inspection date.
Permits are issued with the understanding that the operation will comply with the requirements set forth by the Fire Code, and that all permit fees are non-refundable. For important information on how to apply for permits and the permit terms, please see the additional information below the table.
Due to the recent adoption of a newer edition of the Fire Code, the following table will be gradually updated, and therefore subject to change.
| Activity or Operation | Permit Required | Length of Permit | Permit Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerosol Products | To store or handle Level 2 or Level 3 (or a combination of both) aerosol products in excess of 500 lbs. (226.8 kg). | 12 months | $119.00 |
| Afterhours Inspection | To request an afterhours inspection from a NFD - FMO fire code official. Each permit will allow up to 4 hours of inspection time. For any time beyond 4 hours, an additional permit is required. | 4 hours maximum | $350.00 |
| Afterhours Standby | For NFD personnel to be present on standby when, in the opinion of the fire code official, potentially hazardous conditions or a reduction in a life safety feature exist due to the type of performance, display, exhibit, occupancy, contest, or activity; an impairment to a fire protection feature; or the number of persons present. | Duration of the event or potentially hazardous conditions or reduction in life safety features no longer exist. Not to exceed 1 day per permit. | $213.00 |
| Air Curtain (open burning) | For the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be adhered to. Exception: Recreational fires. In addition, the Metro Health Department requires a permit for fires used for disposing of materials grown on a tract of land. Fires may be used to dispose of materials grown on a tract of land when the following conditions are met: an approved Air Curtain device is utilized, the site is approved by the Director of the Metro Health Department and the Fire Marshal, and a valid permit has been obtained from both the Director of the Metro Health Department and the Fire Marshal. | Prescribed time given by Health Department | $151.00 |
| Amusement Buildings | To operate an amusement building as defined by the Fire Code. Examples include but are not limited to: Haunted Houses, Mazes, House of Mirrors, etc. | 12 months or the duration of the event | $151.00 |
| Aviation Fuel Servicing and Aircraft Refueling Vehicles | To provide aircraft fuel servicing and to operate aircraft refueling vehicles. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Aviation Hangars - Aircraft Service or Repair | To utilize an aircraft hangar for service or repair of an aircraft. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Blasting (Explosives) | To perform blasting operations. | 6 Months | $285.00 |
| Carnivals/Fairs | To conduct a carnival or fair. | Duration of the event | $151.00 |
| Cellulose Nitrate Film | To store, handle, use, or display cellulose nitrate film. | 12 Months | $151.00 |
| Combustible Dust-Producing Operations | To operate a grain elevator, flour mill, starch mill, feed mill, or plant pulverizing aluminum, coal, cocoa, magnesium, spices, sugar, or other similar combustible material. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Combustible Fibers | For storage or handling of combustible fibers greater than 100 ft³ (2.8 m³). | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Combustible Storage, Misc. | To store more than 2500 ft³ (70.8 m³) gross volume. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Compressed Gases | To store, use, or handle compressed gases in excess of the amounts listed in Table 1.12.8(b), or to install, repair damage to, abandon, remove, place temporarily out of service, close, or substantially modify a compressed gas system when the compressed gases in use or storage exceed the amounts listed in Table 1.12.8(b). See Document: Compressed Gases . | 12 Months | $151.00 |
| Concession Trailer/Food Truck (Mobile Food Vendors) | To conduct mobile-cooking operations in Davidson County. This includes, but is not limited to: Mobile Food Trucks, Mobile Concession Trailers, Hot Dog Carts, etc. | 12 Months | $151.00 |
| Cryogens | To produce, store, or handle cryogens in excess of amounts listed in Table 1.12.8(c). See Document: Cryogens. Exception: Where federal or state regulations apply or for fuel systems of a vehicle. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Cutting and Welding | For all continuous welding, cutting, open torches, and hot work operations at a given facility (if work performed is in conjunction with an active building permit, this permit is not required). | 12 months or the duration of the event | $151.00 |
| Dry Cleaning | To engage in business of drycleaning or to change to a more hazardous cleaning solvent (use of Class I solvents is prohibited). Exception: If your facility is a drop off only location with no solvents, you are not required to obtain a permit. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Exhibits and Trade Shows | For operation of all exhibits and trade shows held within Davidson County. | Duration of the event | $151.00 |
| Explosives Storage | To manufacture, sell, dispose of, purchase, store, use, possess, or transport explosives. | 12 months | $166.00 |
| Flammable and Combustible Liquids | To store, use, or handle flammable and combustible liquids using containers, tanks, pipelines, equipment, plants, terminals, wells, fuel-dispensing stations, refineries, distilleries, etc., or to use or affect the condition of any of these. See Document: Flammable & Combustible Liquids for a more detailed list of permit requirements. | 12 months | $149.00 |
| Hazardous Materials | 1. To store, transport on site, dispense, use, or handle hazardous materials in excess of the amounts listed in Table 1.12.8(d), or to install, repair, abandon, remove, place temporarily out of service, close, or substantially modify a storage facility or other area regulated by the Fire Code when the hazardous materials in use or storage exceed the amounts listed in Table 1.12.8(d). See Document: Hazardous Materials. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| High-Piled Storage | To use any building or portion thereof as a high-piled storage area exceeding 500 ft² (46.45 m²) | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Hot Work | To conduct any and all hot works operations (Not to exceed 24 hours per permit). | 24 hours or less | $151.00 |
| Industrial Ovens | For operation of industrial ovens and furnaces. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Knox Box | To ensure that materials stored within Knox Boxes used for the rapid entry of Fire Department personnel are accurate and in good condition. If more than 4 Knox Boxes are present, fee subject to change pending the total number. | 12 months | $ 58.00 |
| Liquid or Gas Fueled Vehicles or Equipment in Assembly Buildings | To display, compete, or demonstrate liquid- or gas-fueled vehicles or equipment in assembly buildings. | Duration of the event | $151.00 |
| LPG Systems & Propane Over 125 gallons | To store, use, handle, or dispense LP-Gas of 125 gal (0.5 m³) (water capacity) aggregate capacity or greater, and to install or modify LP-Gas systems. | 12 months | $149.00 |
| LPG - Propane | To store, use, handle, or dispense LP-Gas from 5.6 gal - 124.9 gal (water capacity) aggregate capacity (23.7 lbs. - 527.4 lbs.). | 12 months or the duration of the event | $151.00 |
| Lumber Yards and Woodworking Plants | For storage of lumber exceeding 100,000 board ft. | 12 months | $209.00 |
| Open Flames and Candles | To use open flames or candles in connection with assembly areas, dining areas of restaurants, or drinking establishments. A permit may also be required to use open flames or candles in connection with ceremonial or religious purposes, on stage performances, etc. as determined by the fire code official. | 12 months or the duration of the event | $151.00 |
| Organic Coatings | For operation and maintenance of a facility that manufactures organic coatings. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Places of Assembly | To operate a place of assembly that has a total square footage of 10,000 ft² or less. | 12 months or duration of the event | $224.00 |
| Places of Assembly > 10,000 ft² | To operate a place of assembly that has a total square footage greater than 10,000 ft². | 12 months or duration of the event | $384.00 |
| Private Fire Hydrants - Installation and Removal | For installation or removal from service of any private fire hydrants (maximum 4 hydrants per permit). | Per 4 private hydrants | $117.00 |
| Private Fire Hydrants - Servicing and Testing | For servicing or testing of any private fire hydrants (maximum 4 hydrants per permit). | Per 4 private hydrants | $117.00 |
| Pyrotechnic and Flame/Special Effects Material | For the manufacture, storage, sale, use, or display of pyrotechnic articles and/or flame effects, and the use of pyrotechnic articles and/or flame effects before a proximate audience. | Duration of the event | $290.00 |
| Pyroxylin Plastics | For storage, handling, assembly, or manufacture of pyroxylin plastics. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Refrigeration Equipment | To install or operate a mechanical refrigeration unit or system regulated by this code. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Repair Garages and Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities | For the operation of repair garages and motor fuel dispensing facilities, marine/motor fuel dispensing facilities, motor fuel dispensing facilities located inside buildings, and fleet vehicle motor fuel-dispensing facilities. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Special Event Fire Watch/Owner Provided | For a building or property owner/operator to provide a Fire Watch when, in the opinion of the fire code official, potentially hazardous conditions or a reduction in a life safety feature exist due to the type of performance, display, exhibit, occupancy, contest, or activity; an impairment to a fire protection feature; or the number of persons present. | Duration of the event or potentially hazardous conditions or reduction in life safety features no longer exist. Not to exceed 1 day per permit. | $ 88.00 |
| Spraying and Dipping | For installation or modification of any spray room, spray booth, or preparation workstation, or to conduct a spraying or dipping operation utilizing flammable or combustible liquids or powder coating. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Tents and Temporary Membrane Structures | To erect or operate an air-supported temporary membrane structure or tent having an area in excess of 200 ft² (18.6 m²) or a canopy in excess of 400 ft² (37.2 m²). Exception: Temporary membrane structures, tents, or canopy structures used exclusively for camping. | Duration of the event or no more than 180 days in a 12-month period | $149.00 |
| Tire Storage | To use an open area or portion thereof to store tires in excess of 500 tires. | 12 months | $151.00 |
| Wood Products | To store wood chips, hogged material, wood by-products, lumber, or plywood in excess of 200 ft³. | 12 months | $151.00 |
Property and Business Owners (or their authorized agent) can apply online for Operational Permits at epermits.nashville.gov. After completing the application process, applicants may check permit status, upload additional documents, and pay permit fees. On the ePermits main page, select the "Permit #" button and enter your permit application number in the search field.
A user's manual to guide applicants through the process can be accessed via the link below. It is a step-by-step guide to assist applicants in applying for a permit.
Download the ePermits Online Permit Application Users Guide
During application, property and business owners (or their authorized agents) will be expected to enter the correct property address for the location of their event or where the operational use or activity will be conducted. If the proper location cannot be determined using the ePermits system, please contact 615-862-5230 or use Metro's interactive map for assistance.
For Mobile Food Concession Vehicles specifically, applicants may use their home or commissary address even if it is outside of Davidson County. Concession vehicles that are permanently located on a parcel must list that address and have a proper permit from the Codes Department to be permanently located on that property.
The permit holder is responsible for compliance with the currently adopted Fire Code: Any person, persons, or entity issued a permit assumes all liability and responsibility for any activity conducted under the authority of the permit or any actions resulting from activities authorized by the permit. Permits are not transferable unless otherwise specified in the fire code.
The Permit can be revoked if the terms and conditions of the permit as set forth are not adhered to.
Permit applications may require an inspection from the Fire Marshal’s Office prior to the issuance of the permit. Depending on the permit, inspections may be one-time, regular, or reoccurring.
