Shelby County, TN Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Shelby County, TN, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Registrar
- Shelby County Clerk's Office
- Permit term
- Expires 365 days after issuance
- Renewal deadline
- At least 30 days before expiration
- Transferability
- Non-transferable and non-assignable
- Pre-issue check
- Final code enforcement inspection required
Summary
Shelby County's STR registration is handled by the County Clerk under Chapter 8, Article XVIII. A permit expires 365 days after issuance and renewal must be requested at least 30 days before expiration. Permits are non-transferable, and applicants must certify eligibility and pass a code inspection.
A Short Term Rental Permit shall expire three hundred and sixty five (365) days after it is issued. Short Term Rental Permits may be renewed upon the payment of a fifty ($50.00) dollar fee to cover the applicant renewal screening by the Shelby County Clerk's Office.
Full Breakdown
Registration in unincorporated Shelby County is completed through the Shelby County Clerk's Office with the Short Term Rental Property Permit Application. Each permit expires 365 days after issuance, and renewal requires a $50.00 fee; all renewal requests must be received at least 30 days before the permit's expiration. A permit cannot be transferred or assigned to another individual, entity, or address, and only the named person may operate the STR. The application requires certifications that the owner is current on all Shelby County property taxes, had no recent citations, and passed a final Memphis/Shelby County code enforcement inspection. Tennessee's Short-Term Rental Unit Act protects properties already used as STRs before a local rule's adoption.
Violations & Fines
Operating on an expired permit means operating without valid registration. Transferring or assigning a permit, or letting an unnamed person operate under it, violates the ordinance. Misrepresentation is subject to revocation, and delinquent county property taxes disqualify an applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Shelby County STR permit last?
Can I transfer my STR permit to a new owner?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shelby County
How Shelby County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Shelby County to another location·View the Tennessee short-term rentals overview
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