Shelby County, TN Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- On-site host required
- No; Responsible Party instead
- Contact availability
- Answers calls 24 hours a day
- Proximity
- Address within 50 miles of rental
- Posting
- Name and phone posted in unit
Summary
Shelby County does not require the host to be present during a stay, but it does require a Responsible Party whose name and phone are posted in the unit and who answers complaints 24 hours a day. The Responsible Party's address must be within 50 miles of the rental.
The name and telephone number of each Responsible Party shall be conspicuously posted with the short term rental property unit. A Responsible Party shall answer calls twenty four (24) hours a day for the duration of each short term rental period to address problems and complaints.
Full Breakdown
Instead of an on-site host-presence mandate, Shelby County's Rules and Regulations of Short Term Rental Properties require a designated Responsible Party. The name and telephone number of each Responsible Party must be conspicuously posted within the unit, and that party must answer calls 24 hours a day during each rental period to address problems and complaints. The county's permit application separately requires the Responsible Party's address to be within 50 miles of the rental's location, so a local contact can respond quickly. The Responsible Party may be someone other than the owner, such as a property manager, letting remote operators comply without living on site. This 24/7 reachable-contact model, rather than physical presence, ensures accountability.
Violations & Fines
Failing to designate and post a Responsible Party, providing one who does not answer calls 24/7, or using a Responsible Party located more than 50 miles from the rental fall short of county requirements and can support citations or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to stay on site during a Shelby County STR booking?
Can a property manager be the Responsible Party?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shelby County
Compare Shelby County to another location·View the Tennessee short-term rentals overview
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