Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Rutherford County, TN

Airbnb listings are allowed in Rutherford County, TN, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are subject to county business licensing and rental tax obligations. Owners must file a Short-Term Rental Questionnaire and an affidavit with the County Assessor by September 1st of the year prior to seeking classification. Local municipal zoning (e.g., Smyrna) may prohibit rentals of less than three months. 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.

Short-term rentals are subject to county business licensing and rental tax obligations. Owners must file a Short-Term Rental Questionnaire and an affidavit with the County Assessor by September 1st of the year prior to seeking classification. Local municipal zoning (e.g., Smyrna) may prohibit rentals of less than three months.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Rutherford County. 1. Apply for an initial business license through the Rutherford County Clerk office. 2. Complete the Short-Term Rental Questionnaire provided by the Property Assessor. 3. File the required Affidavit with the Assessor of Property by September 1st of the year prior to seeking classification.

1. Apply for an initial business license through the Rutherford County Clerk office. 2. Complete the Short-Term Rental Questionnaire provided by the Property Assessor. 3. File the required Affidavit with the Assessor of Property by September 1st of the year prior to seeking classification.

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