Tennessee county rules

Bedford County, TN vacation rental rules and taxes

Bedford County charges a 7% occupancy tax outside Shelbyville, and Shelbyville charges its own 7%. In unincorporated areas, a short-term rental needs a special exception from the county Board of Zoning Appeals.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026

Occupancy tax

County 7% outside Shelbyville; Shelbyville 7% city tax instead. Wartrace adds 4%.Source

Sales tax

9.75%

7% state + 2.75% local.Source

County zoning

Special exception

Not allowed inside city growth boundaries or platted subdivisions.Source

Market

About 40 listings in Shelbyville

What to do

Pick your area
Inside Shelbyville, use the city page. Outside the cities, read the unincorporated page before you buy or list.

Towns

Full guide

Shelbyville

We couldn’t find Shelbyville’s code online or any short-term rental permit. You owe 9.75% sales tax + 7% occupancy tax and need a state business tax license once gross receipts reach $3,000 a year.

Full guide

Unincorporated Bedford

Outside the cities, Bedford County allows short-term rentals only by special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals in the A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, and C-1 districts, and never inside a city growth boundary or a platted subdivision. Taxes are 9.75% sales tax plus 7% occupancy tax.

Sources

Local occupancy tax rates report (updated November 4, 2026) · Tennessee Department of Revenue
Sales tax rate table, fourth quarter 2026 · Tennessee Department of Revenue
Zoning Resolution of Bedford County (ver. 11.32, last amended September 12, 2023) · Bedford County
Tennessee Airbnb market data (active listings, 12 months to September 2026) · AirROI

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.