Are there rental limits in Cookeville?

Primary residence is strictly required for STRP permits in Cookeville city limits.

What are the key requirements for Cookeville hosts?

Smoke detectors must be hard-wired and interconnected (battery-only is not sufficient).

What should Cookeville hosts know about maximum of 4 sleeping rooms?

Maximum of 4 sleeping rooms allowed; larger units are classified as Bed and Breakfasts or Hotels.

What should Cookeville hosts know about total taxes for city guests?

Total taxes for city guests reach 19.75% including city and county occupancy taxes.

Cookeville, TN Short-Term Rental Regulations & Permit Guide

Baseline Verification

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Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 8, 2026

Summary

Short-term rentals in Cookeville require a city permit, an annual fire inspection, and both city and county business licenses.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 73 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap

In Plain English

To host an STR in Cookeville, you must obtain a permit from the Codes Department and maintain a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy. The property must be your primary residence, and you are required to have hard-wired, interconnected smoke detectors in all sleeping areas. You must also pay both city and county hotel occupancy taxes in addition to state and local sales taxes.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$100

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Cookeville: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Cookeville allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse, Condo.
•Cookeville: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(11)

•Cookeville STR warning: Smoke detectors must be hard-wired and interconnected (battery-only is not sufficient).
•Cookeville STR warning: Total taxes for city guests reach 19.75% including city and county occupancy taxes.
•Cookeville STR warning: Primary residence is strictly required for STRP permits in Cookeville city limits.

Application Process(7)

•Cookeville STR permit - Step 1: Confirm Zoning. Verify your property is located in a residential district that allows for STRP use. Time: 1-2 days.
•Cookeville STR permit - Step 3: Pass Fire Inspection. Schedule a fire safety inspection with the Codes Department. Ensure smoke detectors are hard-wired and interconnected. Time: 1 week.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Cookeville charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).
•Putnam charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).

Taxes(4)

•Cookeville charges a Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax of 0.03%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb remits state and local sales tax; however, hosts should verify city occupancy tax remittance.
•Tennessee has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•Cookeville: Maximum of 4 sleeping rooms allowed; larger units are classified as Bed and Breakfasts or Hotels.
•Cookeville occupancy calculation: 2 adults and 2 minor dependent children per sleeping room, not to exceed 12 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Cookeville limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety Requirements(3)

•Cookeville: Smoke detectors must be hard-wired and interconnected (battery-only is not sufficient).
•Cookeville requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Hard-wired, interconnected smoke detectors, Annual life safety inspection.

Penalties(3)

•Putnam enforces penalties: First offense: $50 fine.
•Cookeville enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $50 fine. Second offense: $50 fine. Third offense: Permit Revocation. Daily fine: $50 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Cookeville: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Cookeville exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and breakfast homes, Hotels, Boarding houses.
•Cookeville: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Tennessee Markets

Murfreesboro

Tennessee

Prohibited

Murfreesboro regulates short-term rentals through strict zoning prohibitions in residential areas and requires registration with the Rutherford County Property Assessor and payment of a 5% city occupancy tax.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Knoxville

Tennessee

Moderate

The City of Knoxville regulates short-term rentals through a three-tiered permit system based on occupancy type and zoning. All hosts must obtain a permit, pass a fire safety inspection, and remit a combined 8% city occupancy tax in addition to state sales tax.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Nashville

Tennessee

Moderate

Nashville has a strict STRP permitting system that differentiates between owner-occupied and investment properties. Non-owner occupied permits are increasingly restricted in residential zones following legislation passed in 2018 and subsequent updates.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Chattanooga

Tennessee

Prohibited

The City of Chattanooga requires a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Certificate for all rentals under 30 days. Regulations distinguish between owner-occupied 'Homestays' and non-owner occupied rentals, with the latter being strictly limited to specific zoning districts and the STVR Overlay District.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Cookeville

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(3)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Cookeville

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Cookeville?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Cookeville?

3What insurance and safety rules apply in Cookeville?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Cookeville?

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Murfreesboro

Knoxville

Nashville

Chattanooga