Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Old Hickory, TN?

Short-term rentals are allowed in Old Hickory, TN—explicitly yes—because Old Hickory is within Nashville and Davidson County and is governed by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (Metro). All STRs must obtain a Short Term Rental Property (STRP) permit from Metro Codes before listing. The market is highly constrained for non-owner occupied STRs: new non-owner occupied permits are only available in specific commercially zoned districts and are prohibited in most residential zoning categories.

Metro operates a two-permit system:

• Owner-Occupied STRP: allowed in owner-occupied single-family/two-family zoned districts, subject to restrictions.
• Not Owner-Occupied STRP: new permits are limited to certain non-residential zoning districts; prohibited in AR2A, R, RS, and RM zones.

Investors must verify zoning eligibility before acquiring a property or investing capital.

Source: Nashville Codes Department STR page (permit requirement, permit types) and the District Land Use Table (zoning eligibility).

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Old Hickory

1. Confirm zoning eligibility early.

• Old Hickory neighborhoods generally lie within residential zoning. If you plan to operate a non-owner occupied STR, confirm the parcel’s zoning against Metro’s eligible district list for new NOT permits. If not eligible, you cannot obtain a NOT permit.

2. Choose the permit path that fits your business model.

• Owner-Occupied (OO) path: operate within residential areas while living on-site or on the same lot.
• Not Owner-Occupied (NOT) path: permitted only in specific commercial/mixed-use zoning; residential zoned properties are not eligible for new NOT permits.

3. Gather required documentation and notifications (see the next section).

• Compile all materials in a single PDF for Metro review.

4. Submit your application for review.

• Email a single PDF with all required documents to the Metro Codes Department at strp_permits@nashville.gov.
• Do not list the property before receiving a permit; doing so results in a one-year ban from applying.

5. Complete safety certification (single-family and two-family homes) or fire marshal inspection (multifamily).

• Single-family/two-family: provide a certification from a state-licensed architect, engineer, or home inspector confirming compliance with Metro Code safety provisions. No Fire Marshal inspection is required for these properties.
• Multifamily dwellings: schedule and pass a Nashville Fire Marshal inspection.

6. Pay the permit fee and post the permit.

• After approvals, pay the $313 permit fee. Post the current permit image on all online listings.

7. Remit all taxes and renew annually.

• Collect and remit hotel occupancy tax and sales tax. Permits expire after 365 days and must be renewed annually.

Source: Nashville Codes STR application guidance.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

To obtain a STRP permit in Nashville/Davidson County (applies to Old Hickory), you must:

• Proof of payment of all taxes due (including property taxes; for renewals, all applicable room/occupancy/sales taxes).
• Certified floor plan of the entire dwelling for each floor, showing rooms, windows, doors, and smoke detectors. Effective March 1, 2022, single and two-family dwellings must include a certification by a state-licensed architect, engineer, or home inspector that the home complies with relevant safety provisions. Maximum of four sleeping rooms per STRP permit.
• Proof of liability insurance evidencing homeowner’s fire, hazard, and liability insurance with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence (listings marketplace equivalents may be accepted if they meet requirements).
• Notarized affidavit confirming the truth and accuracy of all information.
• Proof of notification to adjacent property owners (owner-occupied template and not-owner-occupied template available; acceptable proofs include signatures, certified mail receipts, or USPS notices).
• Homeowners Association (HOA) and Responsible Party Information Form:
  • A statement that operating the STR would not violate HOA bylaws, condominium agreements, covenants, or restrictions.
  • Responsible party information: a locally accessible person within a 25-mile radius of the property, available in emergencies or to address complaints.
• Proof of residence (for owner-occupied permits): four documents (two from Group A and two from Group B):
  • Group A: Tennessee driver’s license; Tennessee ID card; Davidson County voter registration; IRS reporting forms (W-2 or 1099); current vehicle registration or title.
  • Group B: current auto insurance; current life insurance; current homeowner’s insurance; paycheck/check stub; bank statement; employer verification letter (self-employed excluded).
• Application process:
  • Single-family/two-family: certification required; no Fire Marshal inspection for these dwellings.
  • Multifamily dwellings: Fire Marshal inspection required; applicants must schedule via email upon receiving a temporary permit.
• Permit fee: $313 (credit card payments incur a 2.3% processing fee).
• Post-permit obligations: Post a picture of the current permit on all listings.

Source: Nashville Codes Department STR application page.

Additional requirements for new permits and advertising (effective post 11-18-20): follow Substitute Ordinance No. BL2019-79 for advertising requirements.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals: City (Nashville/Davidson County) and State (Tennessee)

City of Nashville/Davidson County—Operational Requirements

• Permit posting: Post a picture of the current permit on all listings.
• Occupancy: Maximum occupancy is two persons per bedroom plus an additional four persons, up to a total of 12 persons.
• Rentals: Rent only to a single party at a time; no compensation for rentals under 24 hours.
• Responsible party: Post the name and phone number of the locally responsible party inside the unit.
• Age: Principal renters must be 21 years or older.
• Safety and compliance: All properties must meet applicable state and local building and fire safety codes; maintain required smoke detectors (UL217), CO detectors, and fire extinguishers as specified.
• Property conduct: All occupants must comply with noise and waste management rules; no recreational vehicles, buses, or trailers may be visible on the street or property.
• Food service: No food may be prepared or served to guests.
• Taxes: The permit holder is responsible for collecting and remitting all required room/occupancy and sales taxes.
• Advertising compliance: Follow applicable advertising rules under Metropolitan Code.

Source: Nashville Codes STR operation requirements and application guidance.

Non-Owner Occupied Permits—Zoning Eligibility

• New NOT permits are limited to: MUN/MUN-A, MUL/MUL-A, MUG/MUG-A, MUI/MUI-A, OG, OR20–OR40-A, ORI/ORI-A, CN/CN-A, CL/CL-A, CS/CS-A, CA, CF, DTC North/South/West/Central, SCN, SCC, SCR zoning districts.
• NOT permits are NOT permitted in AR2A, R, RS, or RM zoned properties.
• Investors must verify zoning using Metro’s District Land Use Table and official zoning maps.

Source: Nashville Codes STR permit types and District Land Use Table.

Taxes

• Hotel occupancy tax: 7% plus a $2.50 nightly fee.
• Sales tax: Combined state and local sales tax is 9.25% in Nashville.
• STRP operators must register and remit room/occupancy and sales taxes via the Office of the Treasurer.

Source: Nashville Finance Department (occupancy tax) and state/local sales tax references.

Enforcement and Complaints

• Report suspected illegal STRs and nuisance complaints (noise, parking, trash) through hubNashville.
• Metro Codes is required by Tennessee state law § 13-7-604(C) to advise that false complaints are punishable as perjury under TCA § 39-16-702.

Source: Nashville Codes STR page and hubNashville reporting.

State of Tennessee—Baseline Requirements (applies across Tennessee, including Old Hickory)

• State definition: A short-term rental unit is a residential dwelling rented wholly or partially for a fee for less than 30 continuous days, excluding hotels, tourist courts/camps/cabins, and motels.
• Insurance: Maintain liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence unless provided by the listing marketplace.
• Safety equipment: Provide fire sprinklers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms as required by state law.

Source: Tennessee Short-Term Rental Unit Act (SB1086).

Local Zoning Note

• Tennessee law generally prevents local governments from prohibiting the use of a property as a short-term rental, but allows regulation to protect public health and safety by the least restrictive means. Nashville’s framework uses zoning to constrain NOT permits in residential areas.

Contact Information (Local Authority)

• Short Term Rental Permits (Metro Codes): strp_permits@nashville.gov
• Codes Department general contact (including Fire Marshal inspections for multifamily): Fire.Marshals@nashville.gov
• Customer Service (including permits and general assistance): 311 or (615) 862-5000
• Office of the Treasurer (tax remittance): [Nashville Finance Department – Short-Term Rental Tax Payments]
• Report a violation or complaint: hubNashville online portal
• Permit search and records: Codes Permits Search

Source: Nashville Codes STR application page and customer service links.

Source Links

• www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/short-term-rentals
• www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/short-term-rentals/apply-short-term-rental-property-permit
• www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/short-term-rentals/operation-requirements
• www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/short-term-rentals/permit-types
• library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT17ZO_CH17.08ZODILAUS_17.08.030DILAUSTA
• sites/default/files/2025-09/LandUseTable.pdf (District Land Use Table PDF)
• hub.nashville.gov/s/request-type/a0ut0000000IlHOAA0/short-term-rental-complaint
• www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/SB1086.pdf

Note: Old Hickory-specific forms and workflows mirror Nashville’s citywide processes, as Old Hickory is fully governed by Metro Nashville/Davidson County. Investors should verify zoning and permit eligibility before acquisition, and maintain strict compliance with all city and state requirements.