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Nashville / Davidson County Short-Term Rental Permit (2025)

Nashville has one of the most complex STR permit frameworks in the South — two permit types, occupancy caps, inspection requirements, and active enforcement. Here's how it works.

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Type 1 & 2
Two separate permit categories
Annual
Renewal required
Capped
Non-owner permits limited
Required
Life-safety inspection

Nashville's Two-Type STR Permit System

Nashville's Metropolitan Government (Davidson County) divides short-term rental permits into two distinct categories, each with different rules, fees, and availability:

  • Owner-Occupied (Type 1): The owner lives at the property as their primary residence and rents out a room or the whole unit while they're away. Broadly available in most residential zones. Fewer restrictions than Type 2.
  • Non-Owner-Occupied (Type 2): The owner does not live at the property. Nashville has capped the total number of Type 2 permits and restricted them from certain residential zones. In some neighborhoods, Type 2 permits are not available at all.
⚠️ Type 2 (Non-Owner) Availability Is Limited

Nashville has taken steps to cap non-owner-occupied STR permits in residential zones. If you're purchasing an investment property with no intention of living there, verify Type 2 permit availability for that specific address and zone before closing. Metro Codes can confirm availability by address.

How to Apply: Nashville Metro Codes Process

  1. Determine your permit type

    Owner-occupied (you live there) = Type 1. Investment property you don't reside in = Type 2. Your zone and the address's cap status determine whether a Type 2 permit is currently available.

  2. Submit application to Metro Codes

    Applications go through Nashville Metro Codes Department. Apply online via the Nashville Metro Permits portal or in person. Include proof of ownership, proof of primary residency for Type 1, and property details.

  3. Pass the life-safety inspection

    Metro Codes will schedule a life-safety inspection covering smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, egress, and general habitability. This must pass before the permit is issued.

  4. Pay the permit fee and receive your number

    Fees vary by type — contact Metro Codes for current schedule. Your permit number must appear in all STR listings.

  5. Register for Davidson County occupancy tax

    Separately, register with the Davidson County Trustee for the hotel-motel tax obligation. Airbnb remits this automatically in Nashville; VRBO policies vary.

Zone Restrictions

Nashville's zoning code places significant restrictions on where Type 2 permits are allowed. Single-family residential zones (RS zones) have the strictest limits. Mixed-use and commercial zones are more permissive. The Nashville Metro GIS portal lets you look up any parcel's zone — search by address at maps.nashville.gov.

Even in eligible zones, the density cap means a block may have no available Type 2 permits if nearby properties have already reached the allowed concentration of non-owner-occupied STRs.

Enforcement in Nashville

Metro Codes actively searches Airbnb and VRBO for listings without valid Nashville permit numbers. Complaints from neighbors are investigated promptly — Nashville's bachelorette and bachelor party tourism market has generated significant neighbor pressure on STR enforcement. Fines for unpermitted operation can reach $500 per violation per day.

Nashville also penalizes hosts who exceed their listed maximum occupancy. Party houses and event rentals are a specific enforcement focus; some permits have been revoked for repeated violations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Not automatically. Switching from a Type 1 to a Type 2 permit requires a new Type 2 application, which is subject to availability in your zone. If Type 2 permits are capped or unavailable in your area, you would need to stop operating as an STR or wait for a permit to become available.
  • No. Both Type 1 and Type 2 permits are issued to the individual owner and do not transfer with a sale. The new owner must apply fresh — and for Type 2, must confirm availability at the time of their application, which is not guaranteed even if the current owner holds a valid Type 2.
  • Condos are subject to the same Metro Codes STR permit framework as single-family homes. However, condo associations (HOAs) frequently prohibit short-term rentals in their CC&Rs regardless of Metro permitting. Verify your condo's governing documents before applying — a Metro permit does not override HOA restrictions.
📌 Disclaimer

Nashville STR rules have been updated multiple times and remain subject to ongoing Metro Council action. Always verify current requirements with Nashville Metro Codes before applying.