Nashville’s peddler ordinance explained

In response to a question from council members Monday night, Mayor Billy Ray Jones and City Clerk Mary Woodruff explained the requirements for vendors to sell their products in Nashville. City officials say there is a peddler ordinance in place. Aside from meeting sales tax and Department of Health requirements from the state level, anyone can sell food or other merchandise by purchasing one of the temporary permits. These Transient Licenses cost $300 dollars, which is good for up to 7 days. A longer license, extending over a period of eight to thirty days, is also available at a price of $500 dollars.
Mayor Jones says he tries to strongly discourage anyone from buying these permits, in order to support the city’s brick and mortar businesses.
The question regarding the permits was raised since the carnival type food vendors have been operating in recent days on Main Street.