Nashville Permit Requirements Rules (2026) — What You Need to Know
Heavy RestrictionsKey Facts
- Permit Types
- Owner-occupied & Non-owner-occupied
- Permit Fee
- $313/year
- Hotel Tax
- 6%
- Max Occupancy
- 2 per bedroom, plus 4 in common areas
- Parking Required
- 1 off-street space per rental unit
The Short Version
Nashville has two types of short-term rental permits and the rules depend on whether you live in the property. Owner-occupied permits let you rent part of your home (like a spare bedroom or basement apartment) while you're there. Non-owner-occupied permits let you rent out a whole property you don't live in, but these are capped by district and many neighborhoods are already full. The permit costs $313 and you need a new one every year. Nashville also caps occupancy at 2 people per bedroom, requires off-street parking, and collects a 6% hotel tax.
Full Breakdown
Nashville splits short-term rentals into two permit categories under Metro Ordinance BL2022-1396. Owner-occupied permits are available in any zone and allow you to rent rooms or attached guest units while you're living on-site. These are relatively straightforward to get.
Non-owner-occupied permits — where nobody lives in the home full-time — are more restricted. The city caps the number of these permits by council district, and many districts in popular areas like East Nashville and 12South are at capacity. If your district is full, you're on a waitlist. The cap was introduced after rapid STR growth changed the character of several neighborhoods.
All STR operators need to collect Nashville's 6% hotel occupancy tax on top of state sales tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect this automatically for most bookings. You also need $1 million in liability insurance and must post your permit number visibly on all listings. The city actively monitors platforms for unlicensed properties.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Operating without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $50 per day. The city can also issue stop-use orders. Permit holders who receive three substantiated complaints (noise, parking, trash) within 12 months face mandatory revocation with a 2-year ban from reapplying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Nashville neighborhood already at capacity for non-owner STR permits?
Can I list a Nashville condo on Airbnb?
What insurance do I need for a Nashville STR?
Related Ordinances in Nashville
How does Nashville compare?
See how Nashville's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.