Las Vegas vs Nashville: Short-Term Rental Rules Compared (2026)
Las Vegas is currently "primary residence only" while Nashville is "allowed with permit". The bigger difference is eligibility: Las Vegas restricts rentals to the host's own residence, while Nashville permits dedicated rentals. On cost, Nashville is the cheaper market to license ($313 vs $500). Full verified details for both markets below — always confirm current requirements with each jurisdiction.
Side by side
| Rule | Las Vegas, NV | Nashville, TN |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Primary residence only | Allowed with permit |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Residential Rental business license (with Conditional Use Verification) | Short Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit |
| Permit fee | $500 | $313 |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual |
| Primary residence only | Yes | No |
| Owner occupancy required | Yes | No |
| Night cap / year | None found | None found |
| Minimum stay | 1 night(s) | 1 night(s) |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~13% | ~16.75% |
| Last verified | July 10, 2026 | July 12, 2026 |
Compare guest tax loads
Switch between the two markets to see itemized occupancy taxes on the same stay.
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Combined transient lodging (room) tax -- city of Las Vegas (13%)· collection varies | $58.50 |
| Total tax (13%) | $58.50 |
| Guest pays | $508.50 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Las Vegas, NV
The city of Las Vegas allows short-term rentals (stays under 31 consecutive days) only with a Short-Term Residential Rental business license, which requires a free Conditional Use Verification, a Code Enforcement home inspection, and a $500 annual license fee. The biggest restriction is that the home must be the owner's primary residence and 'owner-occupied' throughout every rental period -- the owner must actually reside and sleep on site while guests stay -- and the unit may have no more than three bedrooms, must sit at least 660 feet from any other short-term rental and 2,500 feet from a resort hotel, and is barred from apartment buildings and several master-planned areas such as Summerlin. Unlicensed operators face civil fines of $1,000 to $10,000 per violation, assessable per day. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Las Vegasrules, playbook & sources →Nashville, TN
Short-term rentals are legal in Nashville (Metro Nashville-Davidson County) only with a Short Term Rental Property (STRP) permit from the Metro Codes Department, which costs $313 and must be renewed annually. The biggest restriction is zoning: new not-owner-occupied (investor) permits are banned in residential districts (AR2A, R, RS, RM) and are only issued in commercial, mixed-use, and downtown districts, while owner-occupied permits remain available in most residential zones (limited to natural persons, one permit per lot in single- and two-family districts, max four sleeping rooms). Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Nashvillerules, playbook & sources →Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change frequently in both markets; verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating.