Livingston, Tennessee Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Livingston, TN

Short-term rentals are allowed in Livingston, Tennessee, but only within a specific regulatory framework that has been recently established. As of September 2021, the city was actively preparing an ordinance to officially allow and regulate Airbnb and similar lodging platforms. While STRs were operating in the city without formal approval (approximately 6 were identified), the city was moving toward a comprehensive regulatory approach that would require proper licensing, inspections, and tax compliance.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Livingston?

Livingston hosts earn a median $16,182/year with $110 ADR and 55% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $21,721+ per year.

See the full Livingston market breakdown

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

Step 1: Understand the Regulatory Framework

Livingston's STR regulations are designed to balance the benefits of short-term rentals with community safety and neighborhood protection. The city modeled its approach after similar ordinances in Cookeville, Algood, and Sparta, Tennessee.

Step 2: Navigate Zoning and Location Requirements

The Livingston Planning Commission will determine specific zoning areas where STRs are permitted. Prospective operators should:

Verify that the property is located in an area zoned for STR operations
Ensure compliance with residential zoning requirements
Consider potential impacts on neighboring properties

Step 3: Complete Required Inspections and Safety Measures

All STR operators must undergo:

Fire inspections
Egress inspections
Annual safety inspections to ensure tenant safety

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Business License

A city business license is mandatory for all STR operations in Livingston. This license enables the city to:

Track who is operating in the community
Ensure compliance with safety standards
Facilitate revenue collection

Annual Inspections

Fire safety inspection: Required to ensure proper fire safety measures
Egress inspection: Required to verify safe exit routes
Annual inspection: Mandatory ongoing compliance check

Tax Registration and Collection

Hotel/Motel Tax: 4% of annual gross revenue must be paid to the city
Tax collection applies to all lodging providers, including STRs
The tax is assessed on gross revenue, not profit

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Livingston)

Safety Requirements

Fire inspections are mandatory for all STR properties
Egress inspections are required to verify emergency exit adequacy
Properties must meet building code safety standards

Licensing and Oversight

Business license required from the city
Annual fee structure applies
City maintains registry of all STR operators for accountability

Grandfathering Provisions

Existing STR operators at the time of ordinance adoption are subject to "grandfathering" provisions:

Not required to fully retrofit properties to current building codes
Still required to pay annual fees
Must comply with ongoing safety standards and inspections

Zoning Restrictions

Final zoning restrictions determined by Livingston Planning Commission
STRs may be limited to specific residential zones
Commercial and industrial zoning restrictions may apply

County-Level Regulations (Overton County)

Based on available information, Overton County implemented hotel/motel tax regulations several years before Livingston, providing precedent for municipal tax authority over lodging facilities. No additional county-specific STR regulations were identified in the provided sources.

State-Level Regulations (Tennessee)

Tennessee state law has been amended to allow municipalities to collect hotel/motel taxes from short-term rental operations. This legislative change enables cities like Livingston to:

Tax STR revenue at the municipal level
Regulate STR operations within city limits
Ensure compliance with state lodging standards

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

Primary Contact - City of Livingston

Building and Codes Official: Kristian Mansell

Role: Primary authority for STR safety inspections and building compliance
Responsibilities: Fire inspections, egress inspections, annual compliance checks

Office: Livingston City Hall

Address: Livingston, Tennessee (specific address not provided in sources)
Phone: [Not available in provided sources]
Email: [Not available in provided sources]

Secondary Contacts

Mayor: Curtis Hayes

Role: Executive oversight of STR policy implementation
Responsibilities: Policy direction, ordinance enforcement authority

Livingston Municipal Planning Commission

Role: Determines zoning locations where STRs are permitted
Responsibilities: Land use planning, zoning compliance for STR locations

Important Notes for STR Investors

Regulatory Status

The STR regulatory framework in Livingston is still relatively new, with the formal ordinance process beginning in September 2021. Prospective investors should:

Confirm current status of specific zoning regulations with the Planning Commission
Verify any updates to licensing requirements and fees
Stay informed about ongoing policy developments

Market Considerations

Approximately 6 STRs were operating in Livingston as of September 2021
Limited competition may indicate market opportunity
Grandfathering provisions provide transition period for existing operators

Compliance Costs

Business license fees (amount not specified in sources)
Annual inspection fees (amount not specified in sources)
4% hotel/motel tax on gross revenue
Potential retrofits for safety compliance (varies by grandfathering status)

Source References

UC Now News Report: "Livingston Preparing Ordinance Allowing Air BnB Lodging" - September 14, 2021
- URL: theucnow.com/2021/09/14/livingston-preparing-ordinance-allowing-air-bnb-lodging/
- Content: Official city announcements regarding STR policy development
Livingston Municipal Zoning Ordinance: Comprehensive zoning regulations for the City of Livingston
- URL: static1.squarespace.com/static/666c884ca705b277b33b195f/t/66ff1835e7acaa1def82e79a/1727993909962/Livingston+TN+Municipal+Zoning+Ordinances.pdf
- Content: General zoning framework and permitted uses (Note: Specific STR provisions not detailed in provided sections)

Important Disclaimer: This guide is based on information available as of September 2021. STR regulations in Livingston may have evolved since this time. Investors should verify current requirements, fees, and zoning restrictions with local authorities before making investment decisions.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Livingston

Livingston is a small town that serves as the county seat of Overton County, Tennessee, with a population of approximately 3,500 residents. Tucked into the rolling hills and farmland of the Upper Cumberland region, it has the unhurried character typical of rural Tennessee county seats, with a compact downtown, a historic courthouse square, and the kind of local diners and small businesses that anchor civic life. The town is best known as a convenient base for exploring some of Middle Tennessee's most rewarding outdoor landscapes, particularly the lake country to the north and the state parks that ring the region. It sits roughly 90 miles east-northeast of Nashville, a drive of about an hour and forty-five minutes along Interstate 40, and the larger city of Cookeville is about a half hour to the west.

Just a few miles north of town, Standing Stone State Park offers more than 8,000 acres of Appalachian foothill terrain, with hiking trails, a lake for fishing and paddling, a swimming pool, and rustic cabins set among hardwood and pine forest. The park takes its name from a large upright rock that was a landmark for Cherokee and other travelers in earlier centuries, and visitors today can still hike to the monolith. Its proximity to Livingston makes it an easy half-day or full-day excursion for guests who want to trade small-town quiet for a walk in the woods.

To the north and east, Dale Hollow Lake spreads across the Tennessee-Kentucky border, a deep, exceptionally clean reservoir celebrated for its fishing, houseboating, and scenic bluffs. The lake is roughly a 30- to 40-minute drive from Livingston and surrounds the town of Celina, where visitors can rent pontoon boats, book guided fishing trips, or simply enjoy the quiet coves and rocky shorelines. In warmer months, the lake is one of the busiest recreational draws in the entire region, and its calm water and forested ridges draw repeat visitors year after year.

A bit further afield, the city of Cookeville lies about 25 miles west and provides a fuller range of dining, shopping, and medical services, as well as access to additional outdoor destinations like Cummins Falls State Park and Burgess Falls State Park to the southwest. Together, these resources give visitors a way to combine small-town Tennessee atmosphere with the lakes, forests, and waterfalls that define the Upper Cumberland.

For short-term rental owners, Livingston offers an appealing combination of small-town affordability, a steady flow of outdoor and lake travelers, and a location that places it within easy reach of both Nashville and the broader network of parks and reservoirs that draw visitors to this corner of Tennessee throughout the year.