Nashville vs Orlando

Tennessee Legal but Limited | Florida Restricted

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

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
Orlando, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $100 city permit + state DBPR license
Tax Rate 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual (city); Biennial (state)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $250–$500/day for code violations

Nashville has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Nashville charges $313 permit fee for STR licensing, while Orlando charges $100 city permit + state DBPR license. Nashville renewal is annual, and Orlando renewal is annual (city); biennial (state). Overall, Nashville has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Orlando (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Nashville, hosts pay 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. In Orlando, hosts pay 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city). Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Nashville face penalties including $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations. In Orlando, violations can result in $250–$500/day for code violations. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

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.

Contact: Nashville Codes Department — (615) 862-6590

Full Nashville guide →

Orlando Overview

STRs are prohibited in most single-family residential zoning districts. Allowed in tourist-commercial zones and some mixed-use areas. Florida state law preempts local bans enacted after June 2011, creating a complex legal landscape.

Contact: Orlando Permitting Services — (407) 246-2271

Full Orlando guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Nashville or Orlando?
Nashville is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Orlando is "Restricted." Nashville's permit fee is $313 permit fee compared to $100 city permit + state DBPR license in Orlando. Overall, Nashville has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Nashville or Orlando?
Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax, while Orlando charges 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city).
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. Orlando: $250–$500/day for code violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Nashville and Orlando have day limits for Airbnb?
Nashville has no annual day limit. Orlando has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Nashville or Orlando?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Nashville charges $313 permit fee for permits with 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax in taxes. Orlando charges $100 city permit + state DBPR license with 12.5% (6% state + 6% county tourist dev. + 0.5% city). Automatic tax collection in Nashville and Orlando makes compliance easier for beginners.