Airbnb Host Services: Nashville, TN

Hosting an Airbnb in Nashville, TN: what to know

Nashville is one of the busiest short-term rental cities in the South, driven by music, sports, conventions and a steady stream of bachelorette parties. Metro Nashville also has some of the most detailed rules in the region, and the type of permit you can get depends on whether you live in the home and how the property is zoned.

Short-term rental rules and taxes

As of 2026, every short-term rental in Metro Nashville and Davidson County needs a Short Term Rental Property (STRP) permit from the Codes department. There are two main types:

• Owner-occupied: the owner must be a natural person who lives at the property as a primary residence. LLCs, trusts and corporations do not qualify. This permit is allowed in most zones, with up to four sleeping rooms.
• Not owner-occupied: allowed only in certain mixed-use, commercial, office and downtown zones. New permits are not allowed in residential zones such as AR2a, R, RS and RM. Existing permits there can renew but do not transfer when the property is sold.

Key operating rules include a cap of twice the number of permitted sleeping rooms plus four guests, up to 12; a principal renter at least 21; one party at a time; a local responsible party available 24/7 with contact information posted in the unit; and no rentals under 24 hours. Permits expire after a year and are revoked after three violations.

Taxes include state and local sales tax plus Metro's hotel occupancy tax, which rose to 7% on July 1, 2023, with a $2.50 per night fee. Nashville's short-term rental association notes that booking platforms collect and remit sales tax and the county hotel occupancy tax on their bookings, while hosts handle direct bookings. Verify with Metro Codes and the Treasurer, since rules change.

What turnover cleaning costs in Nashville

We did not find a reliable published price survey for Nashville turnovers, so compare quotes. The local cost driver is group travel. Bachelorette and celebration groups mean more beds, more towels, more trash and more chance of party cleanup. Ask cleaners how they handle glitter, decor left behind and extra trash, and whether they charge a surcharge for heavy cleans. Downtown and Midtown condos add parking and elevator logistics.

When to book help

Demand is strongest from spring through fall. CMA Fest in June, the Fourth of July, Titans home games, big concerts and New Year's Eve create sharp spikes, and weekends book far ahead most of the year. January and February are usually the slowest months. Book your cleaning team before spring, and confirm coverage for festival weeks well in advance.

How to choose a cleaner or co-host here

• Ask a co-host to confirm your permit type and that your zoning supports it.
• Confirm they can serve as or support the 24/7 local responsible party.
• Ask how they enforce the 12-guest cap and one-party rule, since violations can cost you the permit.
• Ask how fast they can turn a home after a group weekend, including damage photos.

Nashville Airbnb host FAQ

Q: Can I get a non-owner-occupied STR permit in a Nashville neighborhood?

Not in residential zones like R and RS. Non-owner-occupied permits are limited to certain mixed-use, commercial and downtown zones.

Q: Does Airbnb collect Nashville hotel tax?

Platforms collect and remit sales tax and the county hotel occupancy tax on their bookings. You handle direct bookings yourself.

Q: How many guests can stay in a Nashville STR?

Up to twice the number of permitted sleeping rooms plus four, with a maximum of 12.

Sources:

• Metro Nashville Codes: STRP permit types
• Metro Nashville Codes: Operation rules and requirements
• Metro Nashville Finance: Hotel occupancy tax increase
• Nashville Area Short Term Rental Association FAQ