GoodHandsMoving labor
Guide

Do you need a permit for a moving container in Tennessee?

Where a POD, dumpster or moving truck can go in 30 Tennessee cities, including Nashville, Murfreesboro and Memphis, with the official source for every rule.

Updated October 27, 2026

A man seen from behind loads furniture and household items into the open back of a box truck parked on a city street

Renting a truck or a portable container (POD) for a move in Tennessee? Each city sets its own rules for containers, dumpsters, trucks and trailers on the street. This guide lists the move-day rules we found for 30 Tennessee cities. Every rule links to its official source and shows the date we checked it.

Rules, fees and lead times change. Use this guide to know what to ask. Then check the city's page before you book a container delivery or park a truck.

At a glance

Rules by city

Nashville area · Murfreesboro and Rutherford County · Memphis area · Knoxville · Chattanooga area · Tri-Cities (Johnson City, Kingsport) · Clarksville · Jackson

Nashville area

Nashville

Key rule: In Nashville, a trailer, dumpster or storage unit placed in the Metro right-of-way needs a Trailer / Dumpster permit from the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT), listed at $10 a day up to $2,000.

  • Containers, trucks and the street

    NDOT's Trailer / Dumpster permit covers placing a trailer, dumpster or storage unit in the Metro right-of-way.

    Source: Temporary Street Closure Permits, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure. Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Metro Code defines a "large vehicle" as USDOT Class 4 or higher, and the term includes box trucks and larger (USDOT Class 3 or higher) trailers.

    Source: Metro Code § 12.40.180 - Large vehicle parking in the public right-of-way prohibited, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metro Code (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Parking, stopping or standing a large vehicle in the public right-of-way is prohibited unless a valid NDOT permit allows it.

    Source: Metro Code § 12.40.180 - Large vehicle parking in the public right-of-way prohibited, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metro Code (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.

All 9 Nashville rules · Moving labor in Nashville

Brentwood

Key rule: In Brentwood, a commercial vehicle over 10,000 pounds may not park on a residential street, but moving vans actively performing a service between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. are excluded from that ban.

  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Brentwood bans parking a commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds on a public street in a residential zoning district.

    Source: Sec. 66-289. - Parking of certain commercial vehicles restricted., City of Brentwood, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Vehicles actively performing a service between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., including moving vans, are excluded from that commercial-vehicle parking ban.

    Source: Sec. 66-289. - Parking of certain commercial vehicles restricted., City of Brentwood, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Trucks over 18,000 pounds gross weight and any trailer or semitrailer may not park on a street from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

    Source: Sec. 66-292. - Parking of trucks and trailers at night., City of Brentwood, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.

All 8 Brentwood rules · Moving labor in Brentwood

Columbia

Key rule: In Columbia, it is unlawful to park any trailer on the city's roads, streets or public ways except in spaces marked or designated by the City Manager.

All 10 Columbia rules · Moving labor in Columbia

Cookeville

Key rule: In Cookeville, no one may use any part of a public street, alley, sidewalk or right of way to store goods, merchandise or materials, and trucks and trailers actually loading or unloading are exempt from the city's truck-parking prohibition.

All 8 Cookeville rules · Moving labor in Cookeville

Franklin

Key rule: In Franklin, trailers are banned from residential streets and front yards, but the city code makes an exception for residents moving into or out of the home.

All 8 Franklin rules · Moving labor in Franklin

Gallatin

Key rule: In Gallatin, the city treats it as unlawful to place a dumpster, roll-off container or temporary storage container in a public way where it is a hazard to public safety or blocks the normal flow of traffic.

All 8 Gallatin rules · Moving labor in Gallatin

Hendersonville

Key rule: In Hendersonville, you can keep up to two portable storage containers (2,000 cubic feet in total) at a home for up to 90 days a year, but never on the street, sidewalk or other public right-of-way.

All 8 Hendersonville rules · Moving labor in Hendersonville

Lebanon

Key rule: In Lebanon, a utility trailer, camper trailer or recreational vehicle may not be left on a public street, sidewalk or right-of-way unless it is being used for immediate loading or unloading.

All 7 Lebanon rules · Moving labor in Lebanon

Mount Juliet

Key rule: In Mount Juliet, no vehicle or trailer may be left parked on a public street or alley between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless the street is exempt or you have a temporary overnight permit from the chief of police.

All 10 Mount Juliet rules · Moving labor in Mount Juliet

Spring Hill

Key rule: In Spring Hill, a temporary storage container used for loading or unloading may stay on site for up to fourteen days without a temporary use permit, and at a home it may only be placed in the driveway, never in the public right-of-way.

All 10 Spring Hill rules · Moving labor in Spring Hill

Murfreesboro and Rutherford County

Murfreesboro

Key rule: In Murfreesboro, a moving truck or trailer wider than 80 inches can stay on a city street only as long as loading or unloading takes, and never more than two hours at a time without a special permit from the Engineering Department.

All 8 Murfreesboro rules · Moving labor in Murfreesboro

La Vergne

Key rule: In La Vergne, parking is not allowed on public streets at any time, except where the board of mayor and aldermen has approved on-street parking in a planned density residential development, so plan for the moving truck to sit in a driveway or private lot.

All 8 La Vergne rules · Moving labor in La Vergne

Shelbyville

Key rule: In Shelbyville, a vehicle may not be left parked on a public street or alley for more than 48 consecutive hours without the prior approval of the chief of police.

  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Outside the fire limits, a vehicle may not be left parked on a public street or alley for more than 48 consecutive hours without the police chief's prior approval.

    Source: Shelbyville Municipal Code (Change 11, April 9, 2015), City of Shelbyville, Municipal Code (prepared by UT MTAS). Checked October 27, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Within the city's fire limits, no vehicle may be parked on a public street or alley between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

    Source: Shelbyville Municipal Code (Change 11, April 9, 2015), City of Shelbyville, Municipal Code (prepared by UT MTAS). Checked October 27, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Vehicles with a gross vehicular weight over 10,000 pounds must stay on Shelbyville's assigned truck routes.

    Source: Shelbyville Municipal Code (Change 11, April 9, 2015), City of Shelbyville, Municipal Code (prepared by UT MTAS). Checked October 27, 2026.

All 10 Shelbyville rules · Moving labor in Shelbyville

Smyrna

Key rule: In Smyrna, trailers, and trucks over 12,000 pounds gross vehicle rated weight, may not park on a street from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. unless they are actually loading or unloading, and the code names moving vans among the vehicles covered by that exception.

All 9 Smyrna rules · Moving labor in Smyrna

Memphis area

Memphis

Key rule: In Memphis, trucks and tractor-trailers (other than two-axle pickups, passenger vans and SUVs) may not be parked or left unattended on a public street in a residential district unless they are actively being loaded or unloaded.

  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Truck trailers, tractors and buses may not be parked or left unattended on a public street in a residential district; two-axle pickups, passenger vans and SUVs are excluded from the rule.

    Source: Sec. 11-40-11. - Parking vehicles in residential zone., City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    The residential truck ban does not apply while the vehicle is actively being loaded or unloaded, or while it is used for work or service on the adjacent property.

    Source: Sec. 11-40-11. - Parking vehicles in residential zone., City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    A recreation vehicle may not be parked or left unattended on a residential street or in a residential district except while actively being loaded or unloaded.

    Source: Sec. 11-40-11. - Parking vehicles in residential zone., City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.

All 10 Memphis rules · Moving labor in Memphis

Bartlett

Key rule: In Bartlett, a portable storage container (PODS-style unit) at a home needs a free temporary use permit, may not sit on the public right-of-way, and may stay no more than 90 total days in any 12-month period.

  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Bartlett bans parking or leaving a truck, bus or other vehicle rated at 14,000 pounds GVWR or more, or with more than six wheels, in any residential zoning district.

    Source: The Bartlett Municipal Code, City of Bartlett, Municipal Code (prepared by the University of Tennessee MTAS). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    The exception is a vehicle actively making a normal delivery of goods or services at that location.

    Source: The Bartlett Municipal Code, City of Bartlett, Municipal Code (prepared by the University of Tennessee MTAS). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Campers, trailers, boats and other non-motorized equipment may not be parked on any residential street in Bartlett.

    Source: The Bartlett Municipal Code, City of Bartlett, Municipal Code (prepared by the University of Tennessee MTAS). Checked October 20, 2026.

All 10 Bartlett rules · Moving labor in Bartlett

Collierville

Key rule: In Collierville, a portable moving or storage container may sit on a home's paved driveway only for a genuine move-in or move-out, for no more than seven consecutive days, and never in the street right-of-way.

  • Containers, trucks and the street

    At homes, placing a moving or storage structure of any size in a driveway, elsewhere on the lot or in the road right-of-way is prohibited, apart from the move exception below.

    Source: § 151.026 Temporary uses, activities, and structures., Town of Collierville, Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Containers, trucks and the street

    For a genuine move in or out tied to a change in occupancy, a temporary moving or storage container may be placed on the paved driveway.

    Source: § 151.026 Temporary uses, activities, and structures., Town of Collierville, Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Containers, trucks and the street

    A moving or storage container placed for a move may not stay on the premises longer than seven consecutive days.

    Source: § 151.026 Temporary uses, activities, and structures., Town of Collierville, Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing). Checked October 20, 2026.

All 9 Collierville rules · Moving labor in Collierville

Germantown

Key rule: In Germantown, a truck over 8,000 pounds or any vehicle over 20 feet long or eight feet tall may not stay parked on a public street for more than two hours in a row, except while it is actively being loaded or unloaded.

  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Germantown's street-parking time limit covers trucks, buses and RVs with a declared maximum gross weight over 8,000 pounds, and any vehicle taller than eight feet.

    Source: Sec. 20-229. - Parking vehicles on city streets; restrictions., City of Germantown, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Those vehicles, and any vehicle longer than 20 feet, may not be parked on a public street for more than two consecutive hours, except while actively being loaded or unloaded.

    Source: Sec. 20-229. - Parking vehicles on city streets; restrictions., City of Germantown, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Nonmotorized vehicles or equipment such as campers, trailers and boats may not be parked on a public street in Germantown for more than eight consecutive hours.

    Source: Sec. 20-230. - Parking of nonmotorized equipment or vehicles on city streets., City of Germantown, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.

All 8 Germantown rules · Moving labor in Germantown

Knoxville

Knoxville

Key rule: In Knoxville, a truck or trailer wider than 80 inches may stand on a city street only as long as it takes to load or unload, and never more than two hours at a time, unless the department of public safety has issued a special permit.

All 10 Knoxville rules · Moving labor in Knoxville

Farragut

Key rule: In Farragut, no trailer or major recreational equipment may be parked or stored on any public street, greenway, trail, walking path or public property.

All 9 Farragut rules · Moving labor in Farragut

Maryville

Key rule: In Maryville, portable storage containers and commercial dumpsters may sit on residentially zoned property for no more than 90 days in a calendar year, and only where they meet setback and lot coverage requirements.

All 9 Maryville rules · Moving labor in Maryville

Morristown

Key rule: In Morristown, no one may park a vehicle, wide truck or utility trailer on any street in a manner that creates a safety hazard.

All 8 Morristown rules · Moving labor in Morristown

Oak Ridge

Key rule: In Oak Ridge, it is unlawful to park or store a recreational vehicle or utility trailer in marked or unmarked on-street parking on any public street.

All 10 Oak Ridge rules · Moving labor in Oak Ridge

Chattanooga area

Chattanooga

Key rule: In Chattanooga, placing a dumpster or storage POD in the City's right-of-way requires a work zone permit from the Transportation Department.

  • Containers, trucks and the street

    A work zone permit is required to block part of a street or sidewalk, and this includes placing a dumpster or storage POD in the City's right-of-way.

    Source: Apply for Work Zone & Dumpster Permits, City of Chattanooga, Transportation. Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Containers, trucks and the street

    The city asks for at least two weeks' notice for work zone permits that require a traffic control plan.

    Source: Apply for Work Zone & Dumpster Permits, City of Chattanooga, Transportation. Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Containers, trucks and the street

    Under the work zone permit form, the user agrees to vacate the right-of-way and restore it within seven days of notice from the City.

    Source: Permit for Work Zone Usage of City Right-of-Way, City of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Transportation Department. Checked October 20, 2026.

All 10 Chattanooga rules · Moving labor in Chattanooga

Cleveland

Key rule: In Cleveland, a large vehicle or trailer (over 25 feet long, 80 inches wide or 82 inches tall) may not be parked on a street in a residential zone between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., except while actually loading or unloading for up to 24 hours or with an oversized vehicle parking permit.

All 8 Cleveland rules · Moving labor in Cleveland

Tri-Cities (Johnson City, Kingsport)

Johnson City

Key rule: In Johnson City, a truck over 8,000 pounds, over 8 feet tall or over 20 feet long (counting an attached trailer) may not be parked or left unattended on a public street for more than two hours in a row, except while it is actively being loaded or unloaded.

All 10 Johnson City rules · Moving labor in Johnson City

Bristol

Key rule: In Bristol, no commercial vehicle may park on a public street, alley or right-of-way in a residential district between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except while actively loading or unloading it.

All 10 Bristol rules · Moving labor in Bristol

Kingsport

Key rule: In Kingsport, trucks over 18,000 pounds and any trailer may not park on a street between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless they are actively loading or unloading or the driver is with the truck.

  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    No truck or motor vehicle over 18,000 pounds gross weight, and no trailer or semitrailer, may park on any street from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

    Source: Kingsport Code § 98-219 - Parking trucks and trailers, City of Kingsport, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    The overnight ban does not apply while the truck or trailer is actually being loaded or unloaded, or when the driver is with the truck.

    Source: Kingsport Code § 98-219 - Parking trucks and trailers, City of Kingsport, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.
  • Trucks, trailers and large vehicles

    Kingsport code has a separate rule for motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers wider than 80 inches stopping, standing or parking on city streets.

    Source: Kingsport Code § 98-265 - Unloading vehicles exceeding 80 inches in width, City of Kingsport, Code of Ordinances (Municode). Checked October 20, 2026.

All 10 Kingsport rules · Moving labor in Kingsport

Clarksville

Clarksville

Key rule: In Clarksville, the city code lets you place goods on a street or sidewalk only temporarily while you are actively moving them, and a truck with three or more axles may stand on a residential street only while loading or unloading.

All 8 Clarksville rules · Moving labor in Clarksville

Jackson

Jackson

Key rule: In Jackson, a truck larger than a panel truck may stand on a street only for the time needed to load or unload, and a trailer may not be left on a street unless it is hitched to a vehicle that can haul it away.

All 8 Jackson rules · Moving labor in Jackson

What to ask before delivery day

  • Can the container go in my driveway, and does that need a permit here?
  • If it has to go in the street, who applies for the permit: me or the container company?
  • How long can it stay, and how far ahead do I need to apply?
  • Are there placement limits, such as distance from corners, driveways or hydrants?
  • Can a rental truck park on my street while we load, and for how long?
  • If it snows, will the street be plowed, and where can the truck stand?

Need help with loading and unloading?

A GoodHands crew loads and unloads your rental truck or container. Tell us about your move. We'll show how many helpers you need and for how long.

Get moving help