Aerial Imagery in Nashville, TN
Professional aerial photography and orthomosaic mapping. High-resolution geo-referenced imagery for real estate, marketing, and documentation.
Serving Davidson & the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA area
Request a Free Quote
Get Matched With a Local Operator
Aerial Imagery Pricing in Nashville, TN
Low End
$200
High End
$1,600
Turnaround
1-2 days
Cost ranges are based on market data for Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA. Actual pricing depends on site size, complexity, and deliverables.
Common Aerial Imagery Applications in Nashville
- Real estate marketing imagery
- Event and venue photography
- Construction progress documentation
- Land parcel showcase imagery
Capturing Nashville from Above
Aerial imagery showcases Nashville's unique landscape and development:
Nashville is the fastest-growing major city in the Southeast, adding over 100,000 metro residents since 2020. The downtown and SoBro skyline is dominated by tower cranes building new hotels, residential towers, and the Nashville Yards mega-project. The healthcare corridor along West End and VUMC drives institutional construction, while the East Bank River North redevelopment is reshaping the city's industrial waterfront into a mixed-use innovation district.
Nashville skyline at golden hour with the AT&T Building (Batman Building) and the Cumberland River, with multiple tower cranes visible across the SoBro and Midtown construction corridors.
Tennessee drone regulations require FAA Part 107 certification for all commercial drone operations. Our network of verified operators in Nashville meets all federal and state requirements.
Drone Regulations in Nashville, TN
Airports & LAANC Zones
- BNA — Nashville International Airport (Class C airspace)
- MQY — Smyrna Airport (Class D airspace, 15 NM southeast)
- M35 — Williamson County Airport (uncontrolled, 18 NM south)
- M33 — Sumner County Airport (uncontrolled, 18 NM northeast)
- JYM — John C Tune Airport (uncontrolled, 4 NM west, closed post-2020 tornado)
Restricted Airspace
- Class C airspace around Nashville International (BNA) extends approximately 5 NM radius, surface to 4,000 ft MSL, with a 10 NM outer ring to 10,000 ft MSL. LAANC authorization is required for all commercial drone operations within the inner core and outer area.
- Nashville/Davidson County Ordinance 13.24.400 prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all Metro Nashville parks except designated flying areas. Warner Parks, Centennial Park, and Shelby Park are explicitly restricted.
- NSA Mid-South (Millington, 20 NM north) has restricted military airspace and is designated critical infrastructure under Tennessee SB 2106.
- TVA power plants and substations across the Nashville metro are designated critical infrastructure — a 250-foot buffer is required under state law.
- Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) frequently activate over Nissan Stadium during NFL game days and over downtown during major events including CMA Fest and New Year's Eve celebrations.
Local Ordinances
Nashville/Davidson County Ordinance 13.24.400 prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all Metro Nashville parks except designated flying areas. Commercial drone operators filming in the public right-of-way in downtown Nashville, Broadway, and Midtown must obtain a film permit from the Nashville Film Office. Drones are prohibited within 500 feet of Nissan Stadium and Bridgestone Arena during events without FAA TFR coordination. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drone incursions within BNA approach corridors. Drone flights over the Cumberland River require awareness of low-altitude helicopter emergency medical flights operating between hospitals.
All drone operations in Nashville must comply with FAA Part 107 rules. Operators must obtain LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace near Nashville airports. Our network operators handle all permitting and airspace authorizations as part of their service.
Aerial Imagery FAQ — Nashville, TN
What resolution aerial imagery can I get in Nashville?
Our drones capture imagery at 1-5 cm ground sampling distance (GSD), meaning each pixel represents 1-5 cm on the ground. Higher resolution is available for smaller sites requiring detailed inspection.
What is an orthomosaic?
An orthomosaic is a geo-referenced aerial image created by stitching hundreds of individual photos into a single, seamless, map-accurate image. It corrects for lens distortion and terrain relief, producing a measurable, survey-grade image.
How quickly can aerial imagery be delivered in Nashville?
Standard aerial imagery projects in Nashville are delivered with 1-2 days turnaround. Orthomosaics and geo-referenced products may take additional processing time depending on data requirements.
Drone Regulations FAQ — Nashville, TN
Do I need LAANC authorization to fly a drone near Nashville International Airport?
Yes. BNA is Class C airspace with a 5 NM inner ring surface to 4,000 ft MSL and a 10 NM outer ring to 10,000 ft MSL. All commercial drone operations within these boundaries require LAANC authorization through the FAA. Most of central Nashville, East Nashville, and Donelson falls within controlled airspace.
Can I fly a drone in Nashville Metro parks like Centennial Park or Shelby Park?
No. Nashville/Davidson County Ordinance 13.24.400 prohibits drone takeoff and landing in all Metro Nashville parks except designated flying areas. This includes Centennial Park, Shelby Park, and Warner Parks. Violations can result in municipal fines. Always check with Metro Nashville Parks for designated flying areas.
Are there temporary flight restrictions over Nissan Stadium or downtown Nashville?
Yes. TFRs frequently activate over Nissan Stadium during Tennessee Titans NFL game days and over downtown Nashville during major events including CMA Fest, the NFL Draft anniversary celebrations, and New Year's Eve. Always check the FAA TFR list before flying in the downtown corridor.
Do I need a film permit for commercial drone flights on Broadway or in the Gulch?
Yes. Commercial drone operations in the public right-of-way in downtown Nashville, Broadway, Midtown, and the Gulch require a film permit from the Nashville Film Office. The permit process ensures coordination with Metro Public Works and the Nashville Airport Authority for airspace near BNA.
What is the cost of an aerial imaging for a construction site in Nashville?
Topographic drone data collection in Nashville typically ranges from $1,700 to $6,000 depending on acreage and terrain complexity. Construction monitoring visits cost $450 to $2,400 per session. LiDAR scanning for detailed terrain mapping runs $2,800 to $11,000.
Can I fly a drone over the Cumberland River in Nashville?
Drone flights over the Cumberland River are legal under FAA Part 107, but operators must maintain awareness of low-altitude helicopter emergency medical flights between Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TriStar Skyline, and other hospitals along the river corridor. LAANC authorization is required where the river passes through BNA Class C airspace.
All Aerial Imaging Services in Nashville, TN
Compare pricing across all aerial imaging services available in Nashville, Tennessee.
| Service | Low End | High End | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topographic Data Collection | $1,700 | $6,000 | 3-5 days |
| Drone Inspection | $300 | $2,700 | 1-2 days |
| LiDAR Scanning | $2,800 | $11,000 | 5-7 days |
| Environmental Monitoring | $900 | $3,800 | 2-4 days |
| Aerial Imagery ← you are here | $200 | $1,600 | 1-2 days |
| Construction Monitoring | $450 | $2,400 | 1-3 days per visit |
| Real Estate Photography | $225 | $1,100 | 1-2 days |
| Roof Inspection | $350 | $1,300 | 1-2 days |
Pricing ranges are based on market data for Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA. Actual costs depend on project scope, site conditions, and required deliverables.
Aerial Imagery in Nearby Cities
Are You a Drone Operator in Nashville, TN?
Join our network of FAA-certified operators. Get matched with aerial imagery projects in Nashville and the surrounding Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin MSA area.
Apply to Join