Nashville vs Savannah

Tennessee Legal but Limited | Georgia Legal with Permit

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
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.

Permits & Licensing

Nashville charges $313 permit fee for STR licensing, while Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal. Nashville renewal is annual, and Savannah renewal is annual. Overall, Savannah has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Nashville (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Nashville, hosts pay 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. In Savannah, hosts pay 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. 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 Savannah, violations can result in Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. 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 →

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.

Contact: Savannah Planning & Urban Design — (912) 525-2783

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. Overall, Savannah has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
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.
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. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Nashville and Savannah have day limits for Airbnb?
Nashville has no annual day limit. Savannah has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Nashville or Savannah?
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. Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal with 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Nashville and Savannah makes compliance easier for beginners.