Chattanooga does not require the host to be physically on-site during every stay, but it draws the key line between homestay rentals (the owner's own primary residence) and absentee rentals (no resident owner). Absentee rentals without an on-site host are confined to commercial hotel-zoned properties.
A homestay is tied to owner residency rather than round-the-clock presence: the property must be the applicant's primary residence occupied at least 183 days a year, and homestays may operate in residential zones within the STVR Homestay Overlay. Rentals with no resident owner are treated as absentee and are pushed into commercial zones that already permit hotels. Hosts of either type are generally expected to designate a local responsible party who can be reached and respond to problems. Unincorporated Hamilton County sets its own presence and zoning standards through its 2023 STVR regulations.
Running an absentee-style, non-resident rental in a residential zone reserved for homestays is a zoning violation subject to certificate revocation and enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chattanooga, TN
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Chattanooga, TN
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Chattanooga, TN
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Chattanooga, TN
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Chattanooga, TN
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Chattanooga, TN
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See how Chattanooga's host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
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