Nashville vs Salt Lake City

Tennessee Legal but Limited | Utah Effectively Banned

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
Salt Lake City, Utah
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Contact city for current details
Tax Rate ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines

Nashville has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Nashville charges $313 permit fee for STR licensing, while Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details. Nashville renewal is annual, and Salt Lake City renewal is annual. Overall, Nashville has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Salt Lake City (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Nashville, hosts pay 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. In Salt Lake City, hosts pay ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). 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 Salt Lake City, violations can result in Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. 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 →

Salt Lake City Overview

Traditional STRs (Airbnb-style) are prohibited in all residential zones. Short-term lodging is only permitted in downtown and mixed-use zoning districts, where operators must meet hotel/motel-class licensing and building standards.

Contact: Salt Lake City Planning Division — (801) 535-7700

Full Salt Lake City guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Nashville or Salt Lake City?
Nashville is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Salt Lake City is "Effectively Banned." Nashville's permit fee is $313 permit fee compared to Contact city for current details in Salt Lake City. Overall, Nashville has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Nashville or Salt Lake City?
Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax, while Salt Lake City charges ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT).
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. Salt Lake City: Contact city for current details; violations may incur daily fines. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Nashville and Salt Lake City have day limits for Airbnb?
Nashville has no annual day limit. Salt Lake City has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Nashville or Salt Lake City?
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. Salt Lake City charges Contact city for current details with ~12.17% combined (state + local sales + county TRT + municipal TRT). Automatic tax collection in Nashville and Salt Lake City makes compliance easier for beginners.