Jamestown, Tennessee Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals are allowed in Jamestown, Tennessee. However, based on the available municipal code (December 2004, with 2011 updates), no specific short-term rental ordinances were identified in the current city regulations. This guide provides essential information for investors considering STR operations in Jamestown and addresses both local and state-level requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Jamestown?

Jamestown hosts earn a median $23,145/year with $149 ADR and 55% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $28,412+ per year.

See the full Jamestown market breakdown

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

Step-by-Step Process:

Property Assessment and Compliance
- Ensure your property meets all applicable building, fire, and safety codes
- Verify zoning compliance for STR use (contact city planning department)
- Obtain necessary insurance coverage for rental operations
Business Registration and Licensing
- Register your business with the City of Jamestown
- Obtain a Tennessee sales tax account number if required
- Secure appropriate business liability insurance
Operational Setup
- Establish property management protocols
- Create guest communication systems
- Implement safety and emergency procedures
- Develop house rules and rental agreements
Local Compliance Verification
- Contact the city to confirm current STR requirements
- Verify if any new ordinances have been adopted since the 2011 code update
- Ensure ongoing compliance with city, county, and state regulations

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City-Level Requirements:

Business Registration: Required with the City Recorder
Privilege License: Annual business license for commercial operations
Fire Safety Compliance: Properties must meet International Fire Code standards
Building Permits: May be required for property modifications

County-Level Requirements:

Fentress County Business License: For commercial operations
County Tax Registration: For applicable taxes

State-Level Requirements:

Tennessee Sales Tax Account: Required for lodging businesses
General Business Tax: Applicable based on gross receipts
Workers' Compensation: Required if employees are hired
Professional Liability Insurance: Recommended for property management

Documentation Checklist:

Property deed or lease agreement
Insurance policies (liability, property, business)
Business registration documents
Sales tax registration
Fire safety inspection certificates (if required)
Building permits (if applicable)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Jamestown:

No specific STR ordinances were found in the current municipal code (2004-2011). However, properties must comply with:

International Fire Code (adopted by reference in Municipal Code §7-201)
General municipal codes for business operations
Zoning requirements (as defined in Title 14 of the municipal code)
Business license and taxation requirements (Title 5)

Fentress County:

No specific county-level STR regulations identified in the provided content.

State of Tennessee:

Tennessee has relatively permissive STR regulations at the state level:

No state-level ban on short-term rentals
Standard business tax obligations apply
Sales tax requirements for lodging (15% accommodation tax)
Local zoning authority allows municipalities to regulate STRs
Insurance requirements standard for rental properties
Safety compliance required under Tennessee Fire Code

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Jamestown, Tennessee:

City Hall: 100 Municipal Drive, Jamestown, TN 38556
City Recorder: Patricia Gail Dishmon
Mayor: Gwenith Duncan
Board of Mayor and Aldermen: Regular meetings held second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM
Phone: Contact city hall for current phone numbers
Address: City of Jamestown, TN 38556

Key Departments for STR Compliance:

Building Inspector: For permit and code compliance
Fire Department: For fire safety inspections and codes
City Recorder: For business licenses and registrations
Planning/Zoning: For land use compliance

County Authority:

Fentress County Government: Contact for county-level business requirements
Fentress County Trustee: For tax collections

Important Considerations for STR Investors

Regulatory Environment:

Evolving Landscape: Monitor for new city ordinances (last update was 2011)
Planning Commission: May have input on STR development
Neighborhood Impact: Consider community concerns about rental properties

Compliance Priorities:

Fire Safety: International Fire Code compliance mandatory
Business Licensing: Ensure all required licenses are current
Tax Obligations: Maintain proper tax registrations and filings
Insurance Coverage: Adequate liability and property protection
Neighbor Relations: Maintain good community relationships

Due Diligence Recommendations:

Contact city officials to verify current requirements
Consult with local real estate professionals about STR market
Review any recent city council meeting minutes for STR discussions
Consider the impact of state tourism and lodging trends

Sources:

Jamestown Municipal Code (December 2004, Change 1 July 11, 2011): jamestowntn.gov/sites/default/files/MunicipalCode.pdf

Note: This guide is based on available municipal code information. Investors should verify current requirements with city officials, as regulations may have been updated since the last municipal code revision in 2011.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Jamestown

Jamestown is a small town in northern Tennessee that serves as the county seat of Fentress County, with a population of roughly 1,900 residents. Tucked into the rolling, forested landscape of the Cumberland Plateau, it has the unhurried feel of a rural Appalachian community, with a tidy courthouse-square downtown and a strong connection to the surrounding outdoor scenery. The town is best known as a gateway to some of Tennessee's most dramatic river gorges and as a stop for travelers exploring the Upper Cumberlands, and it sits about 150 miles east-northeast of Nashville and roughly 110 miles northwest of Knoxville.

The biggest draw in the area is the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a sprawling 125,000-acre preserve straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky border just a few miles north of town. It offers whitewater rafting on the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, miles of horseback and hiking trails through sandstone arches and bluffs, and backcountry campsites. The park's main visitor center and several of its most scenic trailheads, including the suspension bridge at Blue Heron, are within a short drive of downtown Jamestown.

Adjacent to the national park lies Pickett State Park, a quieter Tennessee state park that is particularly notable for its old-growth forest, a rarity in the region. It also holds a Civilian Conservation Corps museum and connects to the national recreation area through a network of trails, making it a favorite for families and casual hikers who want a gentler alternative to the more rugged Big South Fork terrain. Together with the national recreation area, it forms a large block of public land that anchors much of the outdoor activity around Jamestown.

South of town, in the unincorporated community of Pall Mall, the Sergeant Alvin C. York State Historic Park preserves the homestead and gristmill of the World War I Medal of Honor recipient, set along the Wolf River with a visitor center, picnic areas, and a replica of the York family farmhouse. It is roughly a 20-minute drive from Jamestown and pairs naturally with a day spent on the trails to the north.

For travelers seeking a base that feels genuinely off the beaten path but still within reach of meaningful sights, Jamestown offers a strong combination of small-town character, affordable housing, and proximity to some of the Southeast's most distinctive public lands. Its appeal as a short-term rental market rests on this blend: a quiet, authentically rural setting that places visitors within minutes of the river gorges, forests, and historic sites that draw people to the Cumberland Plateau in the first place.