Bells, Tennessee Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Bells, Tennessee. Under Tennessee state law, local governing bodies are prohibited from prohibiting or effectively prohibiting the use of property as a short-term rental unit. However, local governments may regulate short-term rentals for health and safety purposes through the least restrictive means necessary.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Bells?

Bells hosts earn a median $18,778/year with $137 ADR and 44% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $23,381+ per year.

See the full Bells market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Bells, Tennessee

1. Business Planning Phase

Conduct market research to understand local demand and competition
Secure appropriate property insurance coverage ($500,000 liability minimum recommended)
Develop a business plan including financial projections and operational strategies
Secure financing or capital requirements for property acquisition and setup

2. Property Preparation

Ensure property meets all applicable building and safety codes
Install required smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
Verify compliance with any applicable fire safety requirements
Prepare property for short-term rental use with appropriate furnishings and amenities

3. Legal Compliance

Register with Tennessee Department of Revenue for tax purposes
Set up systems for collecting and remitting applicable taxes
Develop house rules and policies that comply with local ordinances
Consider engaging a property management company if needed

4. Platform Setup

List property on short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
Ensure all platform profiles accurately represent the property
Establish pricing strategy and availability calendar
Create professional photography and property descriptions

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-Level Requirements (Tennessee)

Business Registration:

Register with Tennessee Department of Revenue
Obtain Tennessee Tax ID number
Register for sales and use tax collection

Insurance Requirements:

Maintain minimum $500,000 liability insurance coverage
Verify coverage under homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
Consider additional coverage for short-term rental activities

Tax Registration and Collection:

Register for sales and use tax collection
Set up occupancy tax collection system
Establish procedures for monthly tax remittance

Safety Compliance:

Install and maintain smoke alarms in all required locations
Install carbon monoxide detectors as required
Ensure fire safety compliance per Tennessee codes

Local Requirements

Verify with Bells city officials: Contact local government to confirm any city-specific permits or licenses required
County requirements: Check with Lauderdale County for any additional county-level requirements
Zoning compliance: Ensure property use complies with local zoning ordinances

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

State Regulations (Tennessee Short-Term Rental Unit Act - SB1086/HB1020)

Permitted Uses:

Short-term rentals are allowed statewide
Local governments cannot prohibit STRs but may regulate for health and safety
Properties lawfully operating before local regulations can continue operating

Tax Obligations:

Sales Tax: 7% state sales tax applies to short-term rental charges
Occupancy Tax: Local occupancy taxes may apply (rates vary by jurisdiction)
Business Tax: Subject to business tax as providers of taxable services
Tax Collection: Online platforms may collect and remit taxes on behalf of property owners

Safety Requirements:

Smoke alarms required and must be operational at all times
Carbon monoxide alarms required where applicable
Provider responsible for maintenance, repairs, and testing
Hotel and Public Swimming Pool Inspection Act does not apply to STRs

Local Government Authority:

Can regulate STRs for health and safety using least restrictive means
May apply general residential zoning and nuisance laws
Can limit or prohibit specific activities (sexual offender housing, illegal drug sales, alcohol sales, adult establishments)
Cannot prohibit based solely on classification, use, or occupancy

Grandfathering Provisions:

Properties operating lawfully before local regulation can continue
Regulations in effect when property began lawful operation govern until property stops STR use for 30 continuous months
Properties sold or transferred lose grandfathered status

Violation and Enforcement:

Local governments may prohibit continued STR use after three violations of generally applicable local laws
Providers have appeal rights to local boards of zoning appeals
Court review available through circuit or chancery courts

County Regulations (Lauderdale County)

Verify current county requirements: Contact Lauderdale County government offices for specific county-level regulations
Zoning compliance: Ensure property use complies with county zoning ordinances
Building permits: Verify if any county building permits required for STR use

City Regulations (Bells)

No specific STR ordinance identified: Bells does not appear to have city-specific STR regulations beyond state requirements
General municipal compliance: Ensure compliance with general city ordinances regarding noise, property maintenance, and nuisance
Business licensing: Verify if city business license required

Contact Information

Bells, Tennessee Local Government

Note: Specific contact information for Bells, Tennessee not found in provided materials. Contact information would typically include:

Bells City Hall:

Phone: (XXX) XXX-XXXX
Email: cityhall@bellstown.gov
Website: www.bellstown.gov

Lauderdale County Government

Lauderdale County Mayor's Office:

Phone: (731) 635-3241
Email: mayor@lauderdalecountytn.gov
Website: www.lauderdalecountytn.gov

State Agencies

Tennessee Department of Revenue:

Phone: (615) 253-0600
Website: www.tn.gov/revenue
Online registration: tn.gov/revenue/for-businesses.html

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (Building Codes):

Phone: (615) 741-2856
Website: www.tn.gov/commerce.html

Source Pages

Tennessee State Legislation:

SB1086/HB1020 - Short-Term Rental Unit Act

Additional Resources:

Important Disclaimer: This guide is based on available information as of the provided materials. Regulations can change, and it's recommended to verify current requirements with local authorities before proceeding with short-term rental operations in Bells, Tennessee. Consider consulting with local legal counsel or a qualified business advisor familiar with Tennessee short-term rental regulations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Bells

Bells is a small city in Crockett County, in the rural western reaches of Tennessee, with a population of approximately 2,400 residents. The town sits amid the broad agricultural flatlands of west Tennessee, where cotton fields, soybean farms, and small country churches define much of the visual landscape. It carries the unhurried, neighborly character typical of historic Delta-border communities and serves as a quiet gateway to a region layered with Native American history, Civil War lore, and traditional Southern small-town heritage. The nearest sizable city is Jackson, about fifteen miles to the southeast, while Memphis lies roughly eighty miles to the southwest.

Just a few miles west of Bells sits Alamo, the seat of Crockett County, which was named for the Tennessee-born folk hero Davy Crockett. Alamo's compact courthouse square is anchored by the Crockett County Courthouse and surrounded by a handful of locally owned shops and cafés, giving visitors an authentic slice of small-town west Tennessee life and a chance to step back from the interstate pace of nearby travel corridors.

A short drive southeast of Bells brings guests to Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park, one of the most significant Native American mound complexes in the country. The park preserves a network of earthworks built by Middle Woodland period inhabitants more than two thousand years ago and offers hiking trails, a small museum, and picnic areas set among hardwood ridges near the South Fork of the Forked Deer River.

Further north in Weakley County, Big Cypress Tree State Park protects a stand of ancient bald cypress and bottomland hardwood forest along the Obion River. Roughly thirty to thirty-five miles from Bells, the park is known for its quiet sloughs, boardwalk trails, and the famous "Big Tree" that once ranked among the largest and oldest cypresses in the United States, offering a peaceful, shaded counterpoint to the open farmland that surrounds Bells.

For short-term rental investors, Bells offers an affordable, low-density market that benefits from its position between Jackson's employment, healthcare, and retail base and the wider rural attractions of west Tennessee. Travelers who prefer a quieter, more authentic slice of Delta-border country often find small towns like Bells a welcome alternative to the chain lodging of larger cities, and the proximity to Jackson, regional state parks, and the historic courthouse towns nearby gives a well-located rental steady year-round appeal as a base for exploring this overlooked corner of the state.

Bells, Tennessee

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Bells, Tennessee