Short-Term Rentals in Memphis, TN (2026)
7 verified short-term rentals rules for Memphis, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Memphis requires short-term rental owners to register electronically or in writing with the Division of Public Works, disclosing insurance, a compliance-verification form, and a local 'responsible party' under § 5-44-5(C), and permits issue only once the division confirms the application is complete and accurate under § 5-44-5(G).
Memphis STR Registration & Application Rules
Significant RestrictionsMemphis City Code § 5-44-5(C)
C.Short term rental property permits required by this article shall be applied for and renewed electronically or in writing, on such forms as the division of public works may prescribe which forms shall include:...4.Verification of insurance evidencing fire, hazard, and liability coverages of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence;5.A "compliance verification form" certifying that every sho...
Noise Rules
Short-term rental guests and owners in Memphis must follow the city's general noise ordinance under City Code § 5-44-6(A), now Chapter 9-68, which bars any 'unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise' anywhere in the city: the same standard enforced against every other property.
Memphis Short-Term Rental Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances §§ 5-44-6(A), 9-68-1
Sec. 5-44-6(A): "All short term rental property owners and their transient guests shall abide by all applicable noise control restrictions of Memphis City Code Section 22-1 and garbage collection and disposal provisions of Ordinance No. 4840 of the city of Memphis Ordinances." Sec. 9-68-1: "The creating of any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise within the limits of the city is ...
Taxes & Fees
Memphis short-term rental owners pay a 3.5% privilege tax on top of a $2.00-per-night marketing assessment under City Code § 5-44-4, plus a $300.00 non-refundable permit application fee and a $150.00 annual renewal fee under § 5-44-5.
Memphis Short-Term Rental Tax & Fees
Some RestrictionsMemphis City Code § 5-44-4(B)-(C); § 5-44-5(D)
B.The city shall impose an assessment of $2.00 per paid occupied room night on short term rental properties in the city. This assessment shall be dedicated to destination marketing and to providing supplemental funding for marketing programs above and beyond that currently provided, pursuant to Ordinance 5595.C.The city levies a privilege tax upon the privilege of occupancy in a short term rent...
Occupancy Limits
Memphis doesn't set one citywide headcount for short-term rentals; instead, § 5-44-5(C)(1) makes each owner declare the 'maximum number of transient capacity per night' for their unit on the permit application, backed by a scaled site plan the Division of Public Works reviews before issuing the permit.
Memphis STR Nightly Occupancy Cap Rule
Some RestrictionsMemphis City Code § 5-44-5(C)(1)
C.Short term rental property permits required by this article shall be applied for and renewed electronically or in writing, on such forms as the division of public works may prescribe which forms shall include:1.The maximum number of transient capacity per night for each short term rental unit including a site plan, drawn to scale, showing each unit and other structures and site features as de...
Insurance Requirements
Memphis requires every short-term rental permit applicant to prove at least $1,000,000 in fire, hazard, and liability coverage before the city will issue a permit. City Code § 5-44-5(C)(4) makes the verification part of the mandatory application package reviewed by Public Works.
Memphis Short-Term Rental Insurance Requirement
Some RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 5-44-5(C)(4)
C.Short term rental property permits required by this article shall be applied for and renewed electronically or in writing, on such forms as the division of public works may prescribe which forms shall include: ... 4.Verification of insurance evidencing fire, hazard, and liability coverages of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence;
Repeat Violator Strikes
Memphis revokes a short-term rental permit after three violations of local law tied to the property's operation. City Code § 5-44-7 requires a court to have confirmed each violation and the owner to have no appeal rights left before the unit loses its status.
Memphis Short-Term Rental Three-Strikes Revocation
Significant RestrictionsMemphis Code of Ordinances § 5-44-7
It is the intent of the council of the city of Memphis that complaints regarding short term rental property be resolved according to existing state law and City of Memphis Ordinances pertaining to public nuisances, vehicles and traffic, health and safety, and public peace, morals, and welfare. The continued use of property as a short term rental unit will be prohibited, and the permit revoked, ...
Host Platform Liability
Memphis makes a hosting platform solely liable for collecting and remitting STR occupancy and sales tax once it signs a voluntary collection agreement with the city under § 5-44-4(A); absent that agreement, liability reverts to the owner, and every listing must display its permit number under § 5-44-5(B).
Memphis STR Hosting Platform Tax Duty
Some RestrictionsMemphis City Code § 5-44-4(A); § 5-44-5(B)
A.A hosting platform, under a voluntary collection agreement with the city, which facilitates a transaction between a short term rental property owner and a transient for lodging accommodations, shall be solely responsible and liable for collecting and remitting all occupancy and sale taxes to the city; and a short term rental property owner who is not the hosting platform shall not be responsi...
Looking for Shelby County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Memphis city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Shelby County →