Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Shelby County, TN

Airbnb listings are allowed in Shelby County, TN, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are permitted as accessory uses in residential zones but require a permit. Operators must maintain $1,000,000 in liability insurance, provide a responsible party within 50 miles, and comply with safety standards including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. 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 permitted as accessory uses in residential zones but require a permit. Operators must maintain $1,000,000 in liability insurance, provide a responsible party within 50 miles, and comply with safety standards including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Shelby County. 1. Submit a completed Short Term Rental Property Permit Application to the Shelby County Clerk’s Office with a $100 fee ($50 for renewals). 2. Provide required documentation including a scaled site plan, proof of ownership, and proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance. 3. Complete a final inspection by Memphis/Shelby County Code Enforcement to verify compliance with safety codes.

1. Submit a completed Short Term Rental Property Permit Application to the Shelby County Clerk’s Office with a $100 fee ($50 for renewals). 2. Provide required documentation including a scaled site plan, proof of ownership, and proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance. 3. Complete a final inspection by Memphis/Shelby County Code Enforcement to verify compliance with safety codes.

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