Gallatin, Tennessee Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals ARE explicitly allowed in Gallatin, TN. The City of Gallatin has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term rental operations through Ordinance No. 02109-59, which became effective on October 19, 2021. This ordinance establishes specific permitting requirements, operational standards, and compliance measures for short-term rental units within city limits.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Gallatin?

Gallatin hosts earn a median $35,072/year with $200 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $48,540+ per year.

See the full Gallatin market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Gallatin, TN

Step-by-Step Process

Property Assessment and Zoning Verification
- Verify your property is within Gallatin city limits
- Confirm zoning allows short-term rentals (permitted in residential, mixed-use, and commercial districts)
- Review any private covenants or deed restrictions that may apply
Permit Application
- Submit Short-Term Rental Permit application to the Planning Department
- Pay required business tax (annual renewal required)
- Provide all required documentation
Property Preparation
- Ensure compliance with operational requirements (see regulations section)
- Complete fire marshal inspection before beginning operations
- Provide proof of liability insurance
Business Operations Setup
- Designate 24/7 caretaker or local contact person
- Establish rental minimums and occupancy restrictions
- Prepare parking per requirements
Annual Compliance
- Renew permit and business tax yearly
- Complete annual fire marshal re-inspection
- Maintain liability insurance coverage

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Licenses

1. Short-Term Rental Permit

Authority: City of Gallatin Planning Department
Renewal: Annual (required with business tax renewal)
Contact: 615-451-5796

2. Business Tax Registration

Authority: City of Gallatin (Chapter 8, Article V, Gallatin Code of Ordinances)
Requirement: Annual payment and renewal
Basis: Required for operating short-term rental units

3. Fire Marshal Inspection

Timing: Prior to beginning operation
Renewal: Annual re-inspection required
Compliance: Must pass inspection before permit approval

Required Documentation

For Permit Application:

Completed Short-Term Rental Application form
Proof of liability insurance for the property
Business license copy
Site plan/plot plan showing parking arrangements
Property Information Request Form (if needed for zoning verification)

For Business Entity Operators:

Name, address, email, and phone number of entity contact person
Proof that entity is in good standing with Tennessee Secretary of State

Operational Documentation:

Designation of 24/7 caretaker/local contact person
Occupancy restriction postings (conspicuous placement required)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Gallatin Regulations

Definition: Short-term rental units are residential dwelling units rented wholly or partially for a fee for a period of less than thirty (30) continuous days, including platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and similar services.

Zoning Districts Where Permitted:

Residential Districts: A-Agricultural, R40, R20, R15, R10, R8, R6 (all permit short-term rentals meeting Section 12.02 requirements)
Mixed-Use Districts: MRO, MU, MUG, MUL, GO, OR (all permit short-term rentals meeting Section 12.02 requirements)
Commercial Districts: CC, CS, CG, PGC (transient habitation including short-term rentals permitted)
Planned Commercial: PNC (conditional use)

Operational Requirements

1. Occupancy Restrictions:

Maximum 2 residents/guests per bedroom
Maximum 12 persons total per unit
Each bedroom minimum 140 square feet with separate attached closet space
Occupancy restrictions must be posted conspicuously within the unit

2. Minimum Rental Period:

Units must be rented for no less than 24 continuous hours

3. Parking Requirements:

Minimum: 1 space per 1,000 sq ft of living space OR 1 space per bedroom (whichever is greater)
Maximum: 1 space per 500 sq ft of living space OR 1.25 spaces per bedroom (whichever is greater)
Only hard-surfaced or dust-free gravel parking permitted
No parking allowed on unimproved surfaces
Site plan showing parking required with application

4. Insurance and Safety:

Liability insurance proof required
Annual fire marshal inspection required
Fire code compliance mandatory

5. Management Requirements:

24/7 caretaker/local contact person required
Must be available to respond physically within 1 hour of emergency/complaint
Authorized to make decisions regarding use and resolve complaints
Contact person may be owner, lessee, or owner's agent

6. Property Sale:

Upon sale of property, operation as short-term rental terminates
New owner must reapply for permit

Sumner County (Unincorporated Areas)

Currently, no specific short-term rental regulations exist for unincorporated areas of Sumner County. As of July 2025, county officials were still debating potential ordinances but had not enacted specific rules. This means properties outside Gallatin city limits currently operate without specific short-term rental restrictions from the county level.

Tennessee State Regulations

Gallatin's ordinance complies with Tennessee Code Annotated § 13-7-601-608, which establishes the state's framework for regulating short-term rental units. The city has exercised its authority under this state legislation to create local standards.

Contact Information

Primary Authority

City of Gallatin Planning Department

Phone: 615-451-5796
Address: 311 West Main Street, Room 108, Gallatin, TN 37066
Application Submission: Planning Department
Questions: Contact above number for short-term rental inquiries

Additional Resources

City of Gallatin Main Offices:

Phone: 615-451-5961
Website: www.gallatintn.gov

Permit Application:

Document: Short-Term Rental Application
Location: Available at Planning Department
Updated: March 28, 2023

Source Links

Short-Term Rental Application: www.gallatintn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8256/Short-Term-Rental-Application
Zoning Ordinance Amendment: gallatintn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7827/O2109-59---Amending-Several-Articles-of-the-Gallatin-Zoning-Ordinance-PDF
News Coverage (Sumner County): www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/sumner-county-debates-short-term-rental-rules-in-unincorporated-areas/

Important Notes for Investors

Pre-existing Units: Units established before October 19, 2021, that were continuously operated and not subject to revocation may continue operating under grandfather provisions
Registry Required: All short-term rental units (including pre-existing) must register with the city
Private Restrictions: City regulations apply regardless of zoning compliance; private covenants or deed restrictions may further limit operations
Annual Compliance: Maintain active permit, business tax payment, and fire inspection compliance for continued operations
Enforcement: Violations can result in suspension or prohibition of use under TCA § 13-7-603 or § 13-7-604

This regulatory framework provides clear pathways for legitimate short-term rental operations while maintaining neighborhood character and addressing public health, safety, and welfare concerns.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Gallatin

Gallatin is a city of roughly 44,000 residents serving as the county seat of Sumner County in northern Tennessee, situated about 30 miles northeast of Nashville along the Cumberland River. The city carries a comfortable blend of small-town Tennessee character and suburban growth, having expanded steadily as part of the broader Nashville metropolitan area. Long known historically as a tobacco market town, modern Gallatin mixes preserved nineteenth-century architecture with newer commercial development, and it functions as a convenient base for visitors exploring both the Nashville region and the surrounding countryside of lakes, farms, and Civil War-era landmarks. Its position near Old Hickory Lake and within easy reach of several state historic sites gives it a dual identity as both a Nashville commuter community and a destination in its own right.

Just a short drive from the city center, Old Hickory Lake is a long reservoir created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Cumberland River, and it forms the western edge of Gallatin. The lake is one of the largest in Middle Tennessee, drawing anglers for bass and crappie, boaters, and shoreline picnickers across its many public access points and marinas. Visitors can typically reach the nearest ramps in under fifteen minutes from downtown Gallatin, making spontaneous lake days a regular feature of life there.

Within the city limits, Bledsoe Creek State Park sits along the shores of Old Hickory Lake and offers roughly 100 campsites, several miles of hiking trails, a swimming area, and a boat ramp. The park is a popular family-friendly escape and a year-round option for travelers who want outdoor recreation without driving far from the city. It also serves as a useful stopover for birdwatchers and cyclists exploring the lake's edge.

South of Gallatin in the unincorporated community of Castalian Springs, Cragfont State Historic Site preserves an elegant stone manor built in the late 1700s by General James Winchester, the founder of Gallatin. The home is widely considered one of the oldest standing stone buildings in Tennessee and offers guided tours that highlight early frontier life, the era's architecture, and the role the property played in regional history. It is roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown Gallatin, often paired with visits to the nearby Wynnewood State Historic Site, another notable antebellum home in the same valley.

Gallatin's appeal as a short-term rental market comes from this layered combination of accessibility and variety. Guests can spend a day on Old Hickory Lake, wander the historic sites of Sumner County, and still make it into downtown Nashville for an evening on Broadway, all without changing lodging. That flexibility, along with the city's growing roster of restaurants, antique shops, and community events, makes Gallatin an attractive alternative to staying directly in Nashville, particularly for families, fishermen, and heritage travelers who appreciate a quieter home base.