Clarksville, TN Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Sec. 5-303(a) bars anyone from operating or advertising a short-term rental unit in Clarksville without a permit issued under Chapter 3, though Sec. §§ 13-7-602 through 13-7-604; that grandfathered use survives until the property sells, sits unused as an STR for thirty straight months, or racks up three unappealed violations. New applicants file with the Department of Finance and Revenue under Sec. 5-304, attaching a sworn acknowledgment of the hotel/motel tax obligation, a business license, a life-safety affidavit covering smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and a fire extinguisher, the name of a local contact person reachable 24/7 who must respond to complaints within 45 minutes, and a site plan showing parking and room layout.

The application carries a $150 administrative processing and inspection fee that is non-refundable and cannot be prorated. Once accepted, the fire and rescue department has 15 days to run a fire and life-safety inspection and the building and codes department has 15 days to run a building safety inspection under Sec. 5-305; a failed inspection allows one 10-day re-inspection window. The building and codes department makes the final call within 15 days of both inspections clearing, and a permit, once issued, is good for one calendar year and can be renewed annually for a $120 fee.