Nashville vs Savannah
Tennessee Legal but Limited | Georgia Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Nashville, Tennessee | Savannah, Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $313 permit fee | $400 initial application; $250/year renewal |
| Tax Rate | 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax | 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| 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 | Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation |
| Verdict | Savannah 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
Savannah, Georgia
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $400 initial application; $250/year renewal
Tax Rate 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation
Savannah 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 →Savannah Overview
STVRs permitted within Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar historic district overlay zones, plus select commercial/agriculture zones. 20% per-ward cap applies to non-owner-occupied parcels in historic districts.
Full Savannah guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Nashville or Savannah?
Nashville is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Savannah is "Legal with Permit." Nashville's permit fee is $313 permit fee compared to $400 initial application; $250/year renewal in Savannah.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Nashville or Savannah?
Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax, while Savannah charges 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state 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. Savannah: Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation.