Critical Finding
See whether the property can operate now, what blocks it, and which exception may apply.
Local guide
Memphis Short-Term Rental Laws
Memphis short-term rentals are subject to Memphis Short-Term Rental Permit. A City short-term rental permit is required before operation under the current Memphis program.
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Compliance layers
A Clear Answer, Then a Path Forward.
Address Context
Confirm zoning, current land use, jurisdiction, and the rules that actually govern the address.
Required Approvals
Get the permits, licenses, documents, inspections, and tax registrations needed before launch.
Recommended Path
Follow prioritized next steps, deadlines, renewal duties, and viable alternatives when rules change.
Occupancy tax calculator
Estimate occupancy tax in Memphis
Enter the nightly rate and stay length to estimate the lodging taxes and guest total for this jurisdiction.
- Gross rent$150.00 × 3 nights
- $450.00
- Mandatory taxable feesRequired cleaning, resort, or similar fees included in the tax base.
- $0.00
- Tennessee state sales tax on lodging (7%) $450.00 × 7%
- $31.50
- Memphis short-term room occupancy tax (4%) $450.00 × 4%
- $18.00
- Memphis Tourism Development Zone assessment ($2.00 / unit / night) $2.00 × 1 units × 3 nights
- $6.00
- Estimated taxes and fees
- $55.50
Guest pays
Assumptions used
- Common short-stay boundary: The displayed estimate is limited to 1–29 nights; the city form’s over-30-day refund line is not applied.
- Current Memphis return lines: The city percentage and fixed room-night assessment are taken from the 2026 official city return; the timely-payment credit is not subtracted from the displayed gross estimate.
What may change the final amount
- Shelby County, Tennessee local sales tax, and booking/channel conditions remain visible factors. The calculator now includes the official-source-backed Memphis 4% city percentage and $2 per occupied room/night assessment shown on the 2026 city return. The 5% Shelby County local occupancy layer, Tennessee local-option sales tax, special-zone/credit handling, and collection responsibility remain separate factors.
Estimated tax is $55.50. Estimated guest total is $505.50.
Estimate only. Verify the property jurisdiction, exemptions, taxable charges, filing duties, and marketplace collection with the linked official sources.
Legal status
Can you operate a short-term rental in Memphis?
A City short-term rental permit is required before operation under the current Memphis program.
Memphis: Memphis defines a short-term rental as a residential dwelling unit with no more than three sleeping rooms that is used or advertised, in whole or in part, for transient occupancy and is not rented to the same occupant for more than 30 continuous days.
The ordinance does not limit permits to a primary residence, but the owner must obtain a separate permit for every STR unit.
Local approval
Memphis Short-Term Rental Permit Obtain the permit before accepting short-term rental guests.
Published fee
The City lists a $300 initial fee and $150 renewal fee in its 2026 program materials. Use the current Memphis fee schedule when filing.
Renewal cycle
The permit is valid for 365 days. Keep the approval active for every operating period.
Before applying
Memphis eligibility and property checks
Resolve the address, applicant, and private-property limits before paying a government fee.
Local rule 1
The ordinance does not limit permits to a primary residence, but the owner must obtain a separate permit for every STR unit.
RequiredLocal rule 2
Confirm the property is a qualifying dwelling under Chapter 5-44. In a multifamily property, no more than 5% of the total dwelling units may operate as STRs.
RequiredPrimary-residence test
The ordinance does not limit permits to a primary residence, but the owner must obtain a separate permit for every STR unit.
RequiredPrivate restrictions
For a Memphis property, government approval does not override a lease, condominium declaration, HOA covenant, mortgage, or insurance restriction.
Required
Application path
How to complete the Memphis approval
Obtain the permit before accepting short-term rental guests.
Confirm the regulating address
Verify that the property is governed by Memphis and matches the local eligibility rules.
Assemble property evidence
Prepare the required file, including Ownership record and scaled site plan, Responsible party within 50 miles, $1 million insurance verification.
File for Memphis Short-Term Rental Permit
Use the official application page or portal. The published fee is The City lists a $300 initial fee and $150 renewal fee in its 2026 program materials.
Keep proof of approval
Retain the issued approval, application record, payment confirmation, and any conditions that apply to this Memphis property.
Memphis official application entry point
Current government instructions for Memphis Short-Term Rental Permit.
Application file
Documents, notice, and safety evidence
Build the file around the exact property rather than a generic hosting checklist.
Ownership record and scaled site plan
Include current, property-specific evidence for ownership record and scaled site plan.
RequiredResponsible party within 50 miles
Include current, property-specific evidence for responsible party within 50 miles.
Required$1 million insurance verification
Include current, property-specific evidence for $1 million insurance verification.
RequiredLife-safety compliance verification
Include current, property-specific evidence for life-safety compliance verification.
RequiredPrior citation and tax-status disclosures
Include current, property-specific evidence for prior citation and tax-status disclosures.
RequiredInspection or compliance review
The application requires a compliance verification for building, health, and life-safety codes. Public Works may inspect before initial issuance or renewal.
RequiredNotice or local-contact duty
The ordinance does not list an application-time neighbor mailing, but it requires a responsible party located within 50 miles and 24/7 contact information posted inside the unit.
Required
Taxes
Memphis lodging taxes and booking channels
Memphis imposes a 3.5% occupancy privilege tax and a $2 assessment per paid occupied room night; Tennessee sales tax also applies.
- Tax treatment
- Memphis imposes a 3.5% occupancy privilege tax and a $2 assessment per paid occupied room night; Tennessee sales tax also applies.Rates and exemptions can depend on the address and length of stay.
- Who collects
- Memphis imposes a 3.5% occupancy privilege tax and a $2 assessment per paid occupied room night; Tennessee sales tax also applies.A marketplace collection setting does not automatically resolve direct-booking obligations.
- Return timing
- A marketplace with a City voluntary collection agreement handles covered occupancy and sales taxes; otherwise the owner must collect and remit them.Keep returns and payment confirmations even when a platform remits some charges.
Keep the approval active
Renewal, enforcement, and appeals
The published renewal cycle is The permit is valid for 365 days.
- Operating deadline
- Obtain the permit before accepting short-term rental guests.Do not treat an incomplete filing as issued approval.
- Enforcement 1
- Memphis: Operating without a required permit can trigger double permit fees. False application information, unpaid related fines, repeated generally applicable violations, or failure of the responsible party can lead to denial, suspension, or revocation.Preserve the Memphis notice and respond within its stated deadline.
- Review or appeal
- Memphis: Use the review, correction, hearing, or appeal instructions included in the government decision or enforcement notice.Use the Memphis procedure and deadline in the actual decision.
From rules to action
Turn short-term rental rules into your next clear move.
Tell Pine what you’re trying to do. Pine can organize the official requirements into a practical plan—and help with the research, calls, emails, and follow-ups that come next.
Start with a common question
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Are short-term rentals legal in Memphis?
A City short-term rental permit is required before operation under the current Memphis program. Memphis Short-Term Rental Permit is the local approval identified by the government sources.
What approval is required in Memphis?
Memphis Short-Term Rental Permit is required. Obtain the permit before accepting short-term rental guests.
How much does the Memphis approval cost?
The City lists a $300 initial fee and $150 renewal fee in its 2026 program materials.
What documents should a Memphis host prepare?
The published file includes Ownership record and scaled site plan, Responsible party within 50 miles, $1 million insurance verification, Life-safety compliance verification, Prior citation and tax-status disclosures.
Who handles lodging tax for a Memphis booking?
Memphis imposes a 3.5% occupancy privilege tax and a $2 assessment per paid occupied room night; Tennessee sales tax also applies.
How is the Memphis approval renewed or enforced?
Renewal in Memphis: The permit is valid for 365 days. Memphis: Operating without a required permit can trigger double permit fees. False application information, unpaid related fines, repeated generally applicable violations, or failure of the responsible party can lead to denial, suspension, or revocation.