LicensedRental

Hamilton County, Tennessee

Collegedale, TN vacation rental requirements

Collegedale requires a short-term rental operation permit ($300, then $100 a year) and a city inspection for any home rented for less than 30 days. Tax is 9.25% sales plus 8% occupancy.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026

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City permit
Required
Register with Building & Codes and pass a city inspection.Source
Fees
$300, then $100 a year
Taxes
9.25% sales tax + 8% occupancy tax

The city links a December 2024 short-term rental ordinance we didn’t read. Ask about zoning, guest limits, and parking before you list.

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.

Hamilton County, Tennessee

  1. Register for the county occupancy tax

    For direct bookings, file the county’s 4% with the Hamilton County Trustee by the 20th of each month. The Trustee also handles the Chattanooga, East Ridge, Collegedale, and Red Bank city taxes.Source

  2. Then your city

    Permits differ a lot from city to city. Pick your area.

City of Collegedale

  1. Register and apply

    Fill out the city’s short-term vacation rental information form and apply for the operation permit with Building & Codes.Source

    Collegedale STVR registration →

  2. Pass the inspection

    The city inspects the home to confirm it meets the codes for safe guest lodging.Source

  3. Register for sales and occupancy tax

    Tax on stays here is 9.25% sales tax plus 8% occupancy tax. 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. For direct bookings, file the city and county occupancy tax with the Hamilton County Trustee.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.