Guides
Nashville Short-Term Rental Registration: Forms, Fees, and Deadlines
Nashville short-term rental registration requires a Metro permit, with owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied paths that change forms, fees, and timelines.
What to take away
- Nashville short-term rental registration uses one Metro permit system for all short-term rentals.
- Owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied categories change the forms, zoning review, and processing time.
- The main forms are the Owner-Occupied Short Term Rental Property Permit Application, the Non-Owner-Occupied Short Term Rental Property Permit Application, the notarized Principal Residence Affidavit, and the Short Term Rental Property Permit Renewal Application.
- Metro Codes lists the annual permit fee at $250 for owner-occupied and $500 for non-owner-occupied, with renewal at the same tier.
- A clean application typically takes six to ten weeks; capped zones can delay non-owner-occupied permits for months.
- Renew before the expiration date on the permit, and file at least 30 days before that date to avoid a gap.
- Without a permit, Metro Codes can issue a stop work order and civil penalties.
The short version
A short-term rental in Nashville is a dwelling unit rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days, a pattern regulated by many US municipalities. Metro Nashville Codes Administration issues two permit classes. Owner-occupied permits require the property to be your primary residence. Non-owner-occupied permits are limited to certain zoning districts and capped in some residential overlays.
The application package includes the Owner-Occupied Short Term Rental Property Permit Application or the Non-Owner-Occupied Short Term Rental Property Permit Application, a notarized Principal Residence Affidavit, proof of ownership from the Davidson County Register of Deeds, and a site plan. Metro Codes lists the permit fee at $250 for owner-occupied and $500 for non-owner-occupied. Renewal uses the same tier.
There is no fixed filing window for a first permit. Metro Codes accepts applications year round. The practical deadline is before you advertise or accept a booking.
Fees are not the main timeline risk. Zoning review and inspection scheduling drive most delays. Vacation rental operations in the US follow municipal permit rules separate from platform listing terms, a point covered in general industry background.
Phase by phase
| Phase | Typical duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning and category check | 1 to 2 weeks | Confirm owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied, check overlay and cap. |
| Form preparation | 3 to 5 business days | Complete the Owner-Occupied or Non-Owner-Occupied Short Term Rental Property Permit Application. Notarize the Principal Residence Affidavit. Gather deed and site plan. |
| Submission to Metro Codes | Same day | File through the Metro Codes ePermits portal or in person, pay the $250 or $500 permit fee. |
| Zoning and code review | 2 to 4 weeks | Metro Planning reviews non-owner-occupied; Codes checks base requirements. |
| Inspection | 1 to 2 weeks | Schedule and pass a life safety inspection. |
| Permit issuance | 1 to 2 days | Receive permit, then list on Airbnb or Vrbo. |
| Renewal filing | 30 days before expiration | File the Short Term Rental Property Permit Renewal Application. Pay the $250 or $500 renewal fee. |
- Confirm the parcel's zoning district on the Metro Planning map.
- Decide whether you qualify as owner-occupied by checking your primary residence status.
- Complete the Owner-Occupied Short Term Rental Property Permit Application or the Non-Owner-Occupied Short Term Rental Property Permit Application.
- Notarize the Principal Residence Affidavit, then attach proof of ownership and a site plan showing parking and entrances.
- Submit the package, pay the $250 or $500 fee, and schedule the required life safety inspection.
- File the Short Term Rental Property Permit Renewal Application at least 30 days before expiration.
A missed zoning check can end an application before fees are processed. Confirm the address first.
Nashville STR Permit Timeline
- Zoning and category check1 to 2 weeks
- Form preparation3 to 5 business days
- Submission to Metro CodesSame day
- Zoning and code review2 to 4 weeks
- Inspection1 to 2 weeks
- Permit issuance1 to 2 days
What has to finish before what
Zoning confirmation blocks every next step. If the parcel is not in an allowed district for non-owner-occupied use, the application cannot proceed. Before buying a property, owners should learn how to read a US city STR permit ordinance so they do not mistake a zoning label for a permit guarantee.
What Blocks What
- Zoning confirmation blocks every next step
- Primary residence proof blocks form review
- Metro Planning sign-off blocks inspection scheduling
- No inspection before zoning and code review close
For owner-occupied permits, proof of primary residence blocks form review. The notarized Principal Residence Affidavit must be complete before Metro Codes will accept the file. For non-owner-occupied permits, Metro Planning sign-off blocks inspection scheduling. No inspection can be scheduled before zoning and code review close. This dependency is the main blocker.
Where schedules slip
The longest delay is non-owner-occupied cap review in residential overlays: Metro Nashville caps these permits in some districts. When a cap is reached, new applicants waitlist or are refused until a permit frees, adding months.
Missing a notarized signature or accurate site plan is another common delay. Inspections slip during high listing season because inspector slots fill. Owners renewing late create a gap when the old permit lapses before the new one issues.
Cap Reached?
Is the non-owner-occupied cap reached in your overlay?
Waitlist or refusal until a permit frees
Proceed to zoning and code review
Owners comparing cities can review Nashville and Austin permit caps to see how a cap shapes the timeline. The worst case is an applicant who waits months on a capped non-owner-occupied list, then misses a renewal date and starts over. The cause is the district cap.
Seasonal and weather constraints
Nashville application volume rises before spring festivals and summer tourism peaks. Plan around CMA Fest and holiday stays. Permit office queues lengthen.
Severe weather rarely stops paperwork, but a winter ice storm can close offices for a day or two. Outdoor inspections may be rescheduled in heavy rain. The calendar deadline is your permit expiration date, not a season, so renew at least 30 days before expiration to avoid a lapse.
After the permit is issued, owners should review US short-term rental insurance because a standard homeowners policy may not cover paying guests.
