Nashville vs Scottsdale: Short-Term Rental Rules Compared (2026)
Nashville is currently "allowed with permit" while Scottsdale is "allowed with permit". On cost, Scottsdale is the cheaper market to license ($250 vs $313). Full verified details for both markets below — always confirm current requirements with each jurisdiction.
Side by side
| Rule | Nashville, TN | Scottsdale, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Allowed with permit | Allowed with permit |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes |
| Permit name | Short Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit | Vacation Rental License (Short-Term/Vacation Rental License) |
| Permit fee | $313 | $250 |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual |
| Primary residence only | No | No |
| Owner occupancy required | No | No |
| Night cap / year | None found | None found |
| Minimum stay | 1 night(s) | None found |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~16.75% | ~13.97% |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 | July 10, 2026 |
Compare guest tax loads
Switch between the two markets to see itemized occupancy taxes on the same stay.
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Tennessee state sales tax (7%)· collection varies | $31.50 |
| Davidson County local option sales tax (2.75%)· collection varies | $12.38 |
| Metro Nashville-Davidson County Hotel Occupancy Privilege Tax (7%)· collection varies | $31.50 |
| Total tax (16.75%) | $75.38 |
| Guest pays | $525.38 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
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 →Scottsdale, AZ
Short-term rentals are legal throughout Scottsdale (Arizona state law bars cities from prohibiting them), but every property rented for less than 30 days must hold an annual City of Scottsdale vacation rental license ($250 per property per year), plus a state TPT license and Maricopa County rental registration. There are no owner-occupancy, night-cap, or per-owner limits; the biggest restrictions are strict operational rules — $500,000 liability insurance, neighbor notification, sex-offender checks on booking guests, and a ban on commercial/event-center use that was significantly strengthened by Ordinance 4719 effective July 23, 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Scottsdalerules, playbook & sources →Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change frequently in both markets; verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating.