Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Johnson County, TN

Airbnb listings are allowed in Johnson County, TN, but with restrictions. STRs are limited to 5 sleeping rooms with occupancy determined by bedroom square footage (2 persons per bedroom up to 140 sq ft). A 24-hour minimum stay is required, and operators must designate a local agent available 24/7 who can arrive on-site within two hours. 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.

STRs are limited to 5 sleeping rooms with occupancy determined by bedroom square footage (2 persons per bedroom up to 140 sq ft). A 24-hour minimum stay is required, and operators must designate a local agent available 24/7 who can arrive on-site within two hours.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Johnson County. Submit a sworn application to the Office of the Mayor including proof of insurance, business license, and site plan. Pay the applicable fee ($75 for owner-occupied, $125 for non-owner-occupied) and pass inspections by the fire marshal and building inspector. Permits must be renewed annually for a $100 fee.

Submit a sworn application to the Office of the Mayor including proof of insurance, business license, and site plan. Pay the applicable fee ($75 for owner-occupied, $125 for non-owner-occupied) and pass inspections by the fire marshal and building inspector. Permits must be renewed annually for a $100 fee.

Vrbo is permitted in Johnson 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 Johnson 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 Johnson County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.