LicensedRental

Davidson County, Tennessee

Goodlettsville, TN vacation rental requirements

Goodlettsville allows short-term rental property (up to five sleeping rooms) only in its commercial zones (CSL, CCO, CS, CG, and CC), with interconnected smoke alarms and, for some layouts, sprinklers. The city’s 3% occupancy tax is added to Metro’s 7% and $2.50 a night.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026

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Where allowed
Commercial zones only
CSL, CCO, CS, CG, and CC; up to five sleeping rooms.Source
Fire safety
Interconnected smoke alarms
Plus CO alarms where applicable; sprinklers if more than two units or a unit lacks its own exterior door.Source
Occupancy tax
10% + $2.50 a night
3% city + Metro’s 7% and $2.50 in the Davidson County part; 3% + Sumner County’s 5% in the Sumner part.Source

Part of Goodlettsville is in Sumner County, where the occupancy tax is 3% city + 5% county (8%) and the sales tax rate may differ. Confirm with the city.

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

State of Tennessee

  1. Register for sales tax

    Register through the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP). One registration covers all your rentals in the same city or county. If you take direct bookings, collect 7% plus the local rate and file by the 20th of each month. Once registered, file every month, even a $0 return.Source

    TNTAP →

  2. Get a business tax license

    Rentals under 180 days owe business tax. With $3,000 to $100,000 a year in gross receipts in a city or county you need a minimal activity license; at $100,000 or more, a standard license. Booking platforms don’t handle this for you.Source

  3. Know what the platform collects

    Airbnb, VRBO, and other marketplaces collect and remit sales tax and local occupancy tax on their bookings. Keep records showing they did. For direct bookings, you pay sales tax to the state and occupancy tax to the city or county.Source

  4. Then your county and city

    Permits, zoning, and occupancy tax rates are where Tennessee towns differ most. Pick your area.

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County

  1. Check which city you’re in

    Most of the county is Metro Nashville. Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Goodlettsville, and Oak Hill are separate cities with their own zoning, so Metro’s permit rules don’t decide what’s allowed there.

  2. Then your city

    Pick your area.

City of Goodlettsville

  1. Check your zoning

    Short-term rentals are only allowed in CSL, CCO, CS, CG, and CC. Ask the city planning office about your parcel.Source

  2. Meet the fire and life safety rules

    Install a multi-station interconnected smoke alarm system and CO alarms where required. Each rental unit needs an exterior door or a sprinkler system, and a building with more than two separate units needs NFPA 13D or 13R sprinklers.Source

  3. Register for sales and occupancy tax

    Tax on stays here is 9.75% sales tax plus 10% occupancy tax (3% city + 7% Metro) and $2.50 a night. Airbnb and VRBO collect both on their bookings. For direct bookings, file sales tax with the state through TNTAP by the 20th of each month. Ask the city where to file its 3% for direct bookings; Metro’s share goes to Metro Finance Collections.Source

Sources

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.