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.
All short-term rentals in Nashville require a Metro Codes permit before listing on Airbnb or similar platforms. Two permit types exist: Owner-Occupied and Non-Owner-Occupied. Non-owner-occupied permits are banned in most residential zones for new applicants.
Metro Code §6.28.030 requires all short-term rental properties (STRPs) to obtain a permit from the Metro Codes Department prior to listing. Permit fee: $313 per year. Owner-Occupied permits require the owner to permanently reside at the property and be a natural person (no LLCs or trusts under BL2024-478). Non-Owner-Occupied permits are prohibited in AR2A, R, RS, and RM zones for new applicants; existing permit holders in these zones may renew but permits are not transferable upon sale. Maximum 4 sleeping rooms per permit. Rentals under 24 hours are prohibited; maximum stay is 30 consecutive days. A locally accessible responsible party within 25 miles must be available for complaints/emergencies. Operating without a permit results in a mandatory one-year waiting period before applying.
Operating without permit: enforcement action + mandatory 1-year waiting period. Annual renewal required.
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See how Nashville's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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