STR regulations/restrictions in Nashville

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STR regulations/restrictions in Nashville

Jonathan DenneyPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 9 votes

So, I've heard/seen that Nashville can have some restrictions on STR, especially if they are not owner occupied. I was wondering if anyone local to the area could inform me as to what areas do and don't allow non-Owner occupied STRs and what sort of restrictions I can expect.

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Wayne Woodson
Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2009 · 483 posts · 228 votes
4y

Agree with @Nathan Gesner, getting a NOO STR permit in Nashville is a pain in the butt. Most of the new builds that allow NOO STR sell at a premium and aren't worth it in my opinion. Local's HATE short-term rentals with a passion here and will call and report you for any noise violations. I used to do Uber and would see drunk girls and guys peeing on the side of the building in East Nashville when I would drive by. All I hear now is how there is no affordable housing in Nashville and of course, they blame STR investors for that.

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  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    Turn this ship around and send it elsewhere. You don’t want to go down this road. 

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y

    This article discusses it: https://www.tennessean.com/sto...

    I just visited Nashville in February for my first time. It had some nice areas, but it's not a good city and I wouldn't invest a dime in it. I can't remember the last time I heard so many long-time locals complain about the city they grew up in.

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  • Gerald Pitts
    Lender · Asheville NC · Member since 2016 · 469 posts · 317 votes
    4y

    Agree with Luke.  Too many other markets that will make more money for zero the Nashville hassle.  

    1Reply
  • Luka Milicevic
    Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Jonathan Denney basically banned for the most part. 

    There are specific developments being built that are for NOO STR purposes. All of the existing developments built for this purpose have been sold. There are maybe 3 units remaining for sale in all of Nashville right now that are legally allowed to operate as NOO STRs.

    Outside of that, some permits that have been grandfathered in are being sold as LLCs instead of "regular sales" meaning ownership of the actual property doesn't change. There are very few of these. 

    @Nathan Gesner Still very surprised by your experience. The "locals" are always mad about everything. The facebook groups are just full of complaints. One guy complained about "not being able to see the Batman building that easily anymore when driving into downtown because of all the new buildings" The complaints about crime skyrocketing as you had mentioned in a previous post is factually inaccurate (unless of course metro police stats are false). I wish we met up so you could get my views. I think it's an amazing city with so much future potential. Couldn't imagine living anywhere else. 

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  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    I loved it when we visited a couple years ago. Funnest city on the planet! I wouldn't do an STR there though....

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Luka Milicevic:

    @Jonathan Denney basically banned for the most part. 

    There are specific developments being built that are for NOO STR purposes. All of the existing developments built for this purpose have been sold. There are maybe 3 units remaining for sale in all of Nashville right now that are legally allowed to operate as NOO STRs.

    Outside of that, some permits that have been grandfathered in are being sold as LLCs instead of "regular sales" meaning ownership of the actual property doesn't change. There are very few of these. 

    @Nathan Gesner Still very surprised by your experience. The "locals" are always mad about everything. The facebook groups are just full of complaints. One guy complained about "not being able to see the Batman building that easily anymore when driving into downtown because of all the new buildings" The complaints about crime skyrocketing as you had mentioned in a previous post is factually inaccurate (unless of course metro police stats are false). I wish we met up so you could get my views. I think it's an amazing city with so much future potential. Couldn't imagine living anywhere else. 


    I'm just repeating what I heard from taxi drivers, Lyft Drivers, Hotel managers, Waitresses, Bartenders, mall workers, etc. I only spoke with a couple dozen locals, but the vast majority said Nashville has gone to hell over the last decade. As a guy that comes from a small town where complete strangers still wave at strangers and half the people never lock their doors, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

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  • Wayne Woodson
    Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2009 · 483 posts · 228 votes
    4y

    Agree with @Nathan Gesner, getting a NOO STR permit in Nashville is a pain in the butt. Most of the new builds that allow NOO STR sell at a premium and aren't worth it in my opinion. Local's HATE short-term rentals with a passion here and will call and report you for any noise violations. I used to do Uber and would see drunk girls and guys peeing on the side of the building in East Nashville when I would drive by. All I hear now is how there is no affordable housing in Nashville and of course, they blame STR investors for that.

    4Reply
  • Carissa Trent
    Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2022 · 20 posts · 9 votes
    4y

    As previously discussed it is nearly impossible to receive a non owner occupied STR in Nashville metro. They are not permitted in RS, RM, R or AR2A. If you are insistent these are the guidelines,

    • “New not owner-occupied permits will only be issued as a use permitted with conditions (PC) in MUN and MUN-A, MUL and MUL-A, MUG and MUG-A, MUI and MUI-A, OG, OR20 through OR40-A, ORI and ORI-A, CN and CN-A, CL and CL-A, CS and CS-A, CA, CF, DTC North, DTC South, DTC-West, DTC Central, SCN, SCC and SCR zoning districts.”

    • With that in mind, if a property has a STR permit within those non permitted zones the permit does not convey with sale.
      Being someone who has moved to Nashville from one of the largest cities in the world I love Nash. It is in a “growth” period and will be for many years to come. It is learning as it grows and has growing pains but it has an abundance of beauty and history. It’s a small town “city” with much to offer.
    • If STR is your strategy look outwards to the beautiful scenery that surrounds Nash. Lake side properties or Mountain View's are an excellent option throughout at TN.

    • Good luck!!
    3Reply
  • Gerald Pitts
    Lender · Asheville NC · Member since 2016 · 469 posts · 317 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Wayne Woodson:

    Agree with @Nathan Gesner, getting a NOO STR permit in Nashville is a pain in the butt. Most of the new builds that allow NOO STR sell at a premium and aren't worth it in my opinion. Local's HATE short-term rentals with a passion here and will call and report you for any noise violations. I used to do Uber and would see drunk girls and guys peeing on the side of the building in East Nashville when I would drive by. All I hear now is how there is no affordable housing in Nashville and of course, they blame STR investors for that.


     I think drunk girls and guys peeing on the side of Nashville buildings is one of the images I will most most of my time in Nashville, and the changes that came about.  

    1Reply
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