Nashville vs New York City
Tennessee Legal but Limited | New York Effectively Banned
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Nashville, Tennessee | New York City, New York |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Effectively Banned |
| Permit Fee | $313 permit fee | $145 registration fee (OSE) |
| Tax Rate | 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax | 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Every 2 years |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations | $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations |
| Verdict | Nashville has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Nashville, Tennessee
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $313 permit fee
Tax Rate 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations
New York City, New York
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee $145 registration fee (OSE)
Tax Rate 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations
Nashville has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Nashville Overview
Owner-occupied permits allowed in all zones. Non-owner-occupied permits frozen — no new applications accepted in most residential zones since 2015. Existing non-owner permits are non-transferable.
Full Nashville guide →New York City Overview
Local Law 18 (2023) requires hosts to register with OSE, be present during stays, and limits guests to 2. Entire-apartment rentals under 30 days are effectively banned. Only hosted stays with the owner present are permitted.
Full New York City guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Nashville or New York City?
Nashville is classified as "Legal but Limited" while New York City is "Effectively Banned." Nashville's permit fee is $313 permit fee compared to $145 registration fee (OSE) in New York City.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Nashville or New York City?
Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax, while New York City charges 5.875% hotel room occupancy tax + state/city sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Nashville: $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations. New York City: $5,000 first offense; up to $7,500 for subsequent violations.