Nashville vs Portland

Tennessee Legal but Limited | Oregon Legal but Limited

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
Portland, Oregon
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling)
Tax Rate 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Nashville charges $313 permit fee for STR licensing, while Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling). Nashville renewal is annual, and Portland renewal is every 2 years. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal but Limited."

Tax Obligations

In Nashville, hosts pay 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. In Portland, hosts pay 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. 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 Portland, violations can result in Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. 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 →

Portland Overview

Only accessory (hosted) short-term rentals allowed; resident must occupy the dwelling at least 270 days/year. Type A permits allow up to 2 bedrooms and 5 guests. Whole-home unhosted rentals are prohibited.

Contact: Portland Permitting & Development — (503) 823-2633

Full Portland guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Nashville or Portland?
Nashville is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Portland is "Legal but Limited." Nashville's permit fee is $313 permit fee compared to $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) in Portland. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Nashville or Portland?
Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax, while Portland charges 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state.
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. Portland: Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Nashville and Portland have day limits for Airbnb?
Nashville has no annual day limit. Portland has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Nashville or Portland?
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. Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) with 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. Automatic tax collection in Nashville and Portland makes compliance easier for beginners.