https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/ Recent short-term rental regulatory updates across Tennessee markets. Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:16:32 GMT https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/nashville/ Nashville Council members have proposed extending the 2023 non-owner-occupied ban to multi-family residential zones, which would significantly impact operators running STRs in apartment buildings and condos. Still in early committee stages. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-nashville-2025-10-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/knoxville/ Knoxville's planning commission is reviewing whether additional restrictions should apply to STRs in residential neighborhoods adjacent to the UT campus, where a concentration of investor-owned vacation rentals has generated complaints from long-term residents. Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-knoxville-2025-05-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/gatlinburg/ The Tennessee General Assembly considered a state preemption bill (HB 1774) in the 2025 session that would have prevented local governments from banning STRs and restricted their ability to impose permit caps. The bill failed to advance, partly due to opposition from Gatlinburg-area residents and local officials who argued that state preemption would prevent necessary regulation of the Smoky Mountains cabin market. Industry groups plan to reintroduce the bill in 2026. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-gatlinburg-2025-04-30 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/nashville/ A Tennessee state legislature bill (HB 1774) that would have preempted local STR bans failed to advance in the 2025 session. Industry groups have indicated they plan to reintroduce preemption legislation in 2026. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-nashville-2025-04-30 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/brentwood/ Brentwood maintained active enforcement of its prohibition on STRs under 30 days in single-family residential zones, using booking platform listing data to identify and cite violations in the city's residential neighborhoods. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-brentwood-2024-10-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/chattanooga/ Chattanooga reviewed and updated the boundaries of its STVR Overlay District, clarifying which residential neighborhoods are within the district and eligible for Homestay permits and which fall outside. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-chattanooga-2024-10-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/townsend/ Blount County reaffirmed its vacation cabin rental zoning framework for the Townsend area, confirming that density limits (R-1: single-family equivalent, R-2: 0.5 units/acre) remain in effect with no planned changes. Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-townsend-2024-08-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/pigeon-forge/ Pigeon Forge increased enforcement efforts targeting commercial-scale vacation rental operations — particularly large cabin properties operating as party venues. The city worked with Sevier County to share code enforcement resources and identify properties generating repeat nuisance complaints. Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-pigeon-forge-2024-07-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/brentwood/ Brentwood sent compliance letters to property owners identified through booking platform monitoring who appeared to be offering stays shorter than 30 days in residential zones, requiring them to cease or face escalating fines. Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-brentwood-2024-06-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/chattanooga/ The City enforced its restriction on Absentee (non-owner-occupied) STRs in residential zones, citing operators running full-home rentals in areas only approved for Homestay arrangements. Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-chattanooga-2024-06-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/townsend/ Blount County clarified that proposals for three or more STR cabins on a single lot require formal site plan submission and approval by the Building Commissioner, regardless of road type or zone. Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-townsend-2024-03-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/brentwood/ Brentwood clarified that the 30-day-plus rooming and boarding exception requires the property owner to reside on the premises during the entire stay — absentee owners cannot use this exception to circumvent the short-term rental ban. Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-brentwood-2024-02-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/chattanooga/ Chattanooga streamlined its STVR permit renewal process with an online portal, requiring operators to confirm their permit category (Homestay vs. Absentee) and zone eligibility remain current. Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-chattanooga-2024-02-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/townsend/ Blount County began reviewing permit applications in Townsend for compliance with the 10-cabin cap on gravel roads, declining applications that would push existing routes over the threshold. Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-townsend-2023-11-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/knoxville/ Knoxville requires all short-term rental operators to register with the city, designate a 24/7 local contact, comply with occupancy and noise standards, and renew annually. The registration number must appear in all listing platform postings. Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-knoxville-2023-08-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/knoxville/ Airbnb, Vrbo, and other major platforms collect and remit Tennessee state sales tax and applicable local occupancy taxes on behalf of Knoxville hosts through the state's marketplace facilitator framework. Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-knoxville-2023-07-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/pigeon-forge/ Airbnb, Vrbo, and other major booking platforms collect and remit Tennessee state sales tax and Sevier County occupancy taxes on behalf of hosts, simplifying the tax compliance process for Pigeon Forge operators. Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-pigeon-forge-2023-07-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/sevierville/ Tennessee's 7% state occupancy tax and applicable county occupancy taxes are collected and remitted by Airbnb, Vrbo, and other major platforms on behalf of hosts in Sevier County. Operators using smaller platforms or booking directly must register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-sevierville-2023-07-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/nashville/ Nashville Metro Council passed Ordinance BL2023-1655 prohibiting new non-owner-occupied short-term rental permits in single-family residential (RS) zones. Existing permit holders were given a phase-out period. This was one of the most significant STR restrictions enacted by any major US city. Tue, 20 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-nashville-2023-06-20 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/gatlinburg/ The City of Gatlinburg updated its noise ordinance in 2023 to specifically address complaints about STR guests. The updated ordinance lowered the decibel threshold for nighttime violations and introduced a three-strike enforcement system for STR properties: a warning on the first complaint, a fine on the second, and potential permit suspension on the third. The ordinance reflects growing tension between cabin owners and year-round residents. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-gatlinburg-2023-06-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/sevierville/ The City of Sevierville (as distinct from unincorporated Sevier County) requires vacation rental operators within city limits to hold a city business license in addition to the county STR permit. Properties in resort cabin communities outside city limits need only the county permit. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-sevierville-2023-06-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/pigeon-forge/ All vacation rental properties in Sevier County, including those in Pigeon Forge, must hold a Sevier County STR permit requiring a safety inspection and local contact designation. Annual renewal includes re-inspection. Properties outside city limits need only the county permit; those within Pigeon Forge city limits also need a city business license. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-pigeon-forge-2023-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/sevierville/ Sevier County requires all short-term rental properties to obtain a county STR permit, pass a safety inspection covering smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and egress, and designate a local contact person. Annual renewals are required and include re-inspection. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-sevierville-2023-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/gatlinburg/ Sevier County implemented a mandatory permit requirement for all short-term rentals in unincorporated county areas beginning in 2022. Properties operating prior to the requirement were given a transition period to obtain permits. The permit requires proof of property ownership, compliance with safety standards (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, egress windows), and payment of annual fees. Unpermitted operations are subject to fines. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-gatlinburg-2022-01-01 https://regulations.comparent.com/regulations/tennessee/nashville/ Nashville enforces a cap limiting STR permits to no more than 3% of housing units in any census tract. This cap has made obtaining permits in popular neighborhoods extremely difficult, with waitlists forming in some areas. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT tennessee-nashville-2022-01-01