LicensedRental

Jefferson County, Tennessee

Dandridge, TN vacation rental requirements

Dandridge requires a short-term rental unit permit ($300, valid one year) under Ordinance 23/24-22, adopted in May 2024, with city and county business licenses, a 24-hour local contact, and a building and fire safety inspection. Tax is 17.75%.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026

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Town permit
$300, valid 1 year
Owner-occupied, non-owner-occupied, and unoccupied permit types.Source
Eligible zones
R-1, R-2, R-3, B-1, B-2, B-4
As the town attorney described the ordinance in April 2024.Source
Taxes
17.75%
9.75% sales + 4% town (from November 1, 2024) + 4% county occupancy tax.Source

We couldn’t open the adopted ordinance text. Confirm eligible zones, occupancy, and renewal fees with the town.

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.

Jefferson County, Tennessee

  1. Then your city or area

    Pick your area.

Town of Dandridge

  1. Apply to the Building Department

    Send the application packet with the deed, two residency documents (owner-occupied only), a site plan, the life-safety form, copies of your city and county business licenses, and the $300 fee to P.O. Box 249 or 131 E. Main Street, Dandridge, TN 37725. Incomplete packets are returned.Source

    Dandridge application (PDF) →

  2. Name a 24-hour local contact

    List a local contact available 24 hours a day and every platform where you’ll advertise.Source

  3. Register for sales and occupancy tax

    Tax on stays here is 9.75% sales tax plus 4% town and 4% county 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. The application has you agree to pay the town’s hotel occupancy privilege tax; ask the town where to file direct bookings.Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from Town of Dandridge’s published checklist.

  • Smoke alarms (UL 217)Inside and outside sleeping rooms, within 15 feet of bedroom doors, and on each story including basements.Source
  • Carbon monoxide alarmsWithin 15 feet of all bedroom doors.Source
  • Fire extinguisherAt least one, operable.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.