Chattanooga, TN Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Chattanooga, TN, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 38-87
- Issuing office
- Development Review & Permitting Division
- Must submit
- Application + Code Compliance form
- Posting
- Certificate copy displayed in unit
Summary
No one may operate a short-term vacation rental in Chattanooga without first obtaining a certificate from the Development Review and Permitting Division, posted visibly inside the unit.
No person or entity may operate a short-term vacation rental unless a short-term vacation rental certificate has been first obtained from the City of Chattanooga Development Review and Permitting Division. To obtain a short-term vacation rental certificate, an eligible applicant must submit an application and a Code compliance verification form in compliance with Section 17.6. If approved, a legible copy of the short-term vacation rental certificate must be posted within the unit. The City of Chattanooga Development Review and Permitting Division will establish the information to be included upon the short-term vacation rental certificate. .....(b)Short-term vacation rentals must be properly maintained and regularly inspected by the owner to ensure continued compliance with applicable zoning, building, health, and life safety local and state laws. ..... (Ord. No. 14137, § 1, 7-23-24; Ord. No. 14138, § 1, 7-23-24)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 38-87 makes it unlawful to operate a short-term vacation rental without first obtaining a short-term vacation rental certificate from the City of Chattanooga Development Review and Permitting Division. To get one, an applicant submits an application plus a Code Compliance Verification Form confirming the unit meets zoning, building, health, and life-safety rules. Once approved, a legible copy of the certificate must be posted inside the unit, and owners must keep the property properly maintained and regularly inspected to stay compliant.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a posted certificate is a City Code violation; documented violations can also block certificate renewal or lead to revocation under Sec. 38-90(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I list my Chattanooga home on Airbnb without a permit?
Where do I apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
How Chattanooga compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Chattanooga to another location·View the Tennessee short-term rentals overview
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