Nashville vs Sacramento
Tennessee Legal but Limited | California Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Nashville, Tennessee | Sacramento, California |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $313 permit fee | $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax |
| Tax Rate | 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax | 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 90 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations | Contact city for current details |
| Verdict | Sacramento 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
Sacramento, California
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax
Tax Rate 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details
Sacramento 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 →Sacramento Overview
Host must reside in the property at least 184 nights/year (primary residence requirement); non-primary-residence rentals capped at 90 days/year. Maximum 6 guests at any time.
Full Sacramento guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Nashville or Sacramento?
Nashville is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Sacramento is "Legal with Permit." Nashville's permit fee is $313 permit fee compared to $230 initial application; $160 annual renewal; $54 annual Business Operations Tax in Sacramento.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Nashville or Sacramento?
Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax, while Sacramento charges 12% TOT + 1.15%–3.45% Tourism Marketing/Infrastructure District assessments. 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. Sacramento: Contact city for current details.