Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Jefferson County, TN

Airbnb listings are allowed in Jefferson County, TN, but with restrictions. In unincorporated Jefferson County, operators must designate a representative within two hours of the property and comply with life-safety standards (smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguishers). In the Town of Dandridge, a 24-hour local contact is required, and units must have both city and county business licenses and pass building/fire inspections. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

In unincorporated Jefferson County, operators must designate a representative within two hours of the property and comply with life-safety standards (smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguishers). In the Town of Dandridge, a 24-hour local contact is required, and units must have both city and county business licenses and pass building/fire inspections.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Jefferson County. 1. Submit a completed application with a $250 non-refundable fee ($300 in Dandridge). 2. Provide required documentation including proof of ownership, business license, insurance, and sewage system certification. 3. Submit affidavits for life-safety compliance and a Tennessee Certified Codes Inspector report.

1. Submit a completed application with a $250 non-refundable fee ($300 in Dandridge). 2. Provide required documentation including proof of ownership, business license, insurance, and sewage system certification. 3. Submit affidavits for life-safety compliance and a Tennessee Certified Codes Inspector report.

Vrbo is permitted in Jefferson County, TN under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Jefferson County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Jefferson County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.