Nashville vs Tampa
Tennessee Legal but Limited | Florida Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Nashville, Tennessee | Tampa, Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $313 permit fee | $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required |
| Tax Rate | 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax | ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax) |
| 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 | Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction |
| Verdict | Tampa 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
Tampa, Florida
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required
Tax Rate ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction
Tampa 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 →Tampa Overview
No city-specific STR ordinance — state DBPR license and county Business Tax Receipt are primary requirements. Florida's 2011 preemption law limits local restrictions. STRs generally allowed in commercial and mixed-use zones.
Full Tampa guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Nashville or Tampa?
Nashville is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Tampa is "Legal with Permit." Nashville's permit fee is $313 permit fee compared to $50 DBPR application + $170/year state license; county Business Tax Receipt required in Tampa.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Nashville or Tampa?
Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax, while Tampa charges ~13.5% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1.5% surtax). 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. Tampa: Daily compounding fines for violations; amounts vary by infraction.