Nashville, TN Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Nashville, TN, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Permitting agency
- Dept. of Codes Administration
- Application window
- Valid 90 days from filing
- Liability insurance required
- $1,000,000 minimum per occurrence
- Permit term
- 365 days, renewable annually
- Unpermitted operation penalty
- $50/day fine, 1-year wait
Summary
Metro Nashville requires an STRP permit from the Department of Codes Administration before operating or advertising a short-term rental; applications stay valid for 90 days and must be completed before they lapse.
No person or entity shall operate an STRP or advertise a residential property for use as an STRP without the owner of the property first having obtained an STRP permit issued by the department of codes administration in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. … STRP permit applications shall be valid for ninety calendar days from the date filed and shall expire if the application process has not been completed within that time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Metro Nashville requires anyone renting out a residence short-term through an online marketplace to first obtain a Short Term Rental Property (STRP) permit from the Department of Codes Administration: this applies whether the unit is owner-occupied or not. The application, valid for 90 calendar days from filing, must include the owner's contact information, a local responsible party reachable within 25 miles, proof of at least $1 million in liability insurance, and written notice to every adjacent property owner. Non-owner-occupied STRPs face additional zoning-district eligibility limits and a 100-foot buffer from schools, parks, day cares and religious institutions unless the council votes to waive it. Operating without a permit is a separate offense each day and blocks reapplication for up to a year.
Violations & Fines
Operating an STRP without a permit is unlawful: a $50 court fine for each day of operation, plus a one-year wait (three years after a court finding) before the property can requalify for a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Nashville?
What has to be in the STRP application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
How Nashville compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.