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Short-Term Rentals in Tennessee (2026)

65 rules on the books across Tennessee, 11 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Short-Term Rental Permits

Whether you need a license or permit to list your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms, and what the application process looks like.

Chattanooga

Significant Restrictions

No one may operate a short-term vacation rental in Chattanooga without first obtaining a certificate from the…

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Clarksville

Significant Restrictions

It's unlawful to operate or advertise a short-term rental in Clarksville without an operating permit under Sec. 5-303…

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Franklin

Significant Restrictions

Franklin requires every short-term vacation rental (STVR), a dwelling with four or fewer sleeping rooms rented for…

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Hamilton County

Significant Restrictions

No one may operate a Short-Term Vacation Rental anywhere in unincorporated Hamilton County without first obtaining a…

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Knoxville

Significant Restrictions

Knoxville STR operators must apply through the business license and tax office, naming a 24/7 local contact who can…

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Memphis

Significant Restrictions

Memphis requires short-term rental owners to register electronically or in writing with the Division of Public Works…

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Nashville

Significant Restrictions

Metro Nashville requires an STRP permit from the Department of Codes Administration before operating or advertising a…

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Spring Hill

Significant Restrictions

No one can operate a short-term rental in the City of Spring Hill, Tennessee without first obtaining a short-term…

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Rutherford County

Some Restrictions

Before renting, you must obtain an initial business license through the Rutherford County Clerk (and your city) and…

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Shelby County

Some Restrictions

Shelby County's STR registration is handled by the County Clerk under Chapter 8, Article XVIII. A permit expires 365…

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Taxes & Fees

Transient occupancy taxes, tourism fees, and other charges that hosts must collect from guests or pay to the city.

Tennessee: statewide

StatewideHeavy Restrictions

Tennessee imposes statewide sales tax on short-term rental stays and authorizes local hotel-motel occupancy taxes, with…

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Franklin

Significant Restrictions

Franklin charges a $50.00 annual permitting fee for each short-term vacation rental, and the application must be…

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Chattanooga

Some Restrictions

Chattanooga charges a nonrefundable short-term vacation rental application fee under Sec. 38-89(b): $500 to initially…

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Clarksville

Some Restrictions

Every Clarksville short-term rental owner has to pay the hotel/motel tax, sales tax, gross receipts tax, and standard…

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Knox County

Some Restrictions

Knox County levies a 5% occupancy tax on gross receipts from hotels, motels, campgrounds, and other lodging including…

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Knoxville

Some Restrictions

Knoxville charges short-term rental operators a $70 application fee for an owner-occupied Type 1 permit and $120 for…

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Memphis

Some Restrictions

Memphis short-term rental owners pay a 3.5% privilege tax on top of a $2.00-per-night marketing assessment under City…

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Nashville

Some Restrictions

Nashville requires every short-term rental permit holder to collect and remit all room, occupancy, and sales taxes owed…

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Rutherford County

Some Restrictions

Rutherford County hosts owe three taxes: state business tax on gross receipts, state and local sales tax, and a 5%…

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Shelby County

Some Restrictions

Shelby County levies a 5% hotel/motel room occupancy tax on transient lodging, collected by the County Clerk under…

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Spring Hill

Some Restrictions

In the City of Spring Hill, Tennessee, a short-term rental permit costs $150 to apply for when the unit is…

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Occupancy Limits

Maximum number of guests allowed per rental unit, often based on the number of bedrooms or square footage of the property.

Night Caps

Limits on how many nights per year a property can be rented as a short-term rental, sometimes called annual caps or night limits.