Nashville short‑term
rental regulations.

01 · START WITH THE ADDRESS

Two permit types.
One property-specific decision.

Nashville requires a short-term rental property (STRP) permit before you advertise a rental. Metro’s STR category covers paid stays from 24 hours through 30 consecutive days. An active listing, a revenue history or an Airbnb account does not establish eligibility.

02 · BEFORE YOU BUY

The permit does not come
with the furniture.

A permit cannot be assigned to a different person, entity or address. A change in ownership can end its validity; the new owner must qualify under the rules applicable to the new application. Transferring between a person and an LLC or trust can also create an ownership change.

Do not assume an LLC membership purchase preserves a permit. Obtain property-specific review of the proposed transaction from Metro and your attorney before relying on continued rental use.

03 · THE APPLICATION

Prepare the complete file.
Then apply once.

Metro moved applications online in March 2026. Its October 1, 2026 instructions say the application cannot be saved partway through. Have the materials ready before starting; use email for follow-up instead of submitting duplicate applications.

04 · PREPARE THE PROPERTY

Safety is part of the permit.

• Show every floor, room, window, door and smoke-detector location on the plan.
• No more than four sleeping rooms are allowed; the application says properties with more than four bedrooms cannot be permitted.
• Install UL 217 smoke alarms in sleeping rooms, rooms in the escape path and on every story. Metro’s current application also identifies basements and garages.
• Have the licensed professional confirm current building and fire requirements; the linked inspection guide is dated June 2023.

05 · NOTIFY THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Adjacent owners must be notified.

Use Metro’s notice template for your permit type. Identify the owners and mailing addresses in the Parcel Viewer; a tenant’s signature does not substitute for the property owner’s.

• Include adjacent properties in front, behind and beside the rental, and above or below where applicable.
• Corner lots, cul-de-sacs and irregular parcels can have more than four neighbors. Vacant, public and nonresidential property owners still count.
• Obtain the owner’s signature in person or send the notice by certified mail. Keep the letter, receipt and delivery/tracking evidence for the application.
• For an apartment, obtain the owner or manager’s written consent to the proposed use as required by Metro.

The mailing-list tool is useful, but review the actual parcel boundaries so an adjacent owner is not missed. This is notification; separate HOA or ownership restrictions can still prohibit the use.

06 · AFTER APPROVAL

Set the house rules
before the first guest.

• Rent to one party under one contract. The principal renter must be at least 21; do not rent separate rooms to unrelated parties simultaneously.
• No paid occupancy for fewer than 24 hours.
• Conspicuously post the responsible person’s name and phone number. That person must answer 24 hours a day during rentals.
• Follow building, fire, noise, waste and sign rules. The permit holder remains responsible for guest conduct.
• Do not allow rental-related RVs, buses or trailers to be visible on the property or street.
• The permit holder or manager may not prepare or serve food to guests.
• Collect and remit applicable taxes, and keep the permit current.

Maintain a guest register with guests’ names and addresses and arrival and departure dates, as required by Metro’s lodging-record provisions.

07 · KEEP THE PERMIT ACTIVE

Renew before the anniversary.

Metro’s FAQ lists these fees. Renewals also require insurance and tax-payment evidence. Confirm the amount when paying; processing charges and requirements can change.

1. Track the expiration: a permit runs for 365 days. Metro sends reminders around 60 and 45 days before expiry, but the owner remains responsible.
2. Complete and email the current renewal affidavit to Metro’s designated renewal address. Follow staff instructions after review.
3. Pay the renewal fee. Submission alone does not renew the permit; payment completes the process.
4. Check status in ePermits using the permit number. Renewal extends the original anniversary by a year rather than creating a new permit.
5. To print the placard, open the permit’s Available Reports, select “CA Permit Short Term Rental,” and export all pages. The placard is on the final page.

08 · THE BUSINESS SIDE

A platform payout
is not the whole tax picture.

Metro returns and payments are due by the 20th of the following month. Finance offers online account applications and payment, downloadable forms and exemption documentation. Keep the property’s tax account, booking records and returns reconciled.

Tennessee generally requires a minimal activity license for receipts of $3,000 to under $100,000 in a jurisdiction. At $100,000 or more, state business-tax registration, payment and the applicable business license are required. All qualifying receipts count, including platform bookings. LLCs and corporations may also owe franchise and excise taxes.

09 · COMPLAINTS & APPEALS

Know how enforcement works.

Operating without a permit can lead to citations and a mandatory one-year wait before applying. Metro also identifies three legal or ordinance violations, or false or misleading application information, as potential grounds for revocation.

Report suspected illegal STR operation, noise, parking or trash issues through hubNashville using Metro’s complaint page. Use accurate, specific facts; knowingly false complaints can carry penalties.

10 · GET A PROPERTY-SPECIFIC ANSWER

The people behind the process.

This guide explains published Metro and Tennessee guidance reviewed October 7, 2026. It is general information, not an eligibility determination or legal or tax advice. Confirm the rules for your parcel and transaction with Metro and your advisers. Metro’s legislative history tracks amendments; the controlling ordinance and current staff requirements govern.