What zoning rules apply to STRs in Clarksville?

Non-owner occupied units in R-1 and R-2 zones are strictly regulated and require a Special Exception permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

What should Clarksville hosts know about total tax rate is high?

Total tax rate is high at 17.5% when combining state, local sales, and county occupancy taxes.

What are the key requirements for Clarksville hosts?

Permits are not transferable between owners; a new owner must apply for a new permit upon sale.

What should Clarksville hosts know about the city requires a local?

The city requires a local contact person available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 45 minutes.

Clarksville

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

TennesseeLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 7, 2026

Summary

Clarksville requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual permit from the Building and Codes Department, pass a fire safety inspection, and maintain liability insurance.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Banned in all/most residential zones
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To run an Airbnb in Clarksville, you must apply for an annual permit and pay a $50 fee. Your property must pass a safety inspection by the Fire Marshal, and you'll need to show proof of at least $1 million in liability insurance. Depending on your neighborhood's zoning, you may need a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals if the home isn't your primary residence.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$50

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

Max Fine

$50

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Non-owner occupied units in R-1 and R-2 zones are strictly regulated and require a Special Exception permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
2.Total tax rate is high at 17.5% when combining state, local sales, and county occupancy taxes.
3.Permits are not transferable between owners; a new owner must apply for a new permit upon sale.
4.The city requires a local contact person available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 45 minutes.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Clarksville prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational Vehicles, Campers, Tents.
•Clarksville allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Duplex, Multi-Family.
•Clarksville does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements(12)

•Clarksville requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Permit". Apply through Building and Codes Department. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Renewal is required.
•Clarksville STR warning: Non-owner occupied units in R-1 and R-2 zones are strictly regulated and require a Special Exception permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Application Process(8)

•Clarksville STR permit - Step 2: Obtain Business Licenses. Register for both a City of Clarksville and a Montgomery County business license through the Finance or County Clerk's office. Required documents: Photo ID, SSN or EIN. Time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 30.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Clarksville charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•Clarksville charges a Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the 8% occupancy tax and sales taxes in Tennessee.
•Tennessee has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Clarksville limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus an additional 2 persons, with a maximum cap of 10 persons.
•Clarksville enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Clarksville occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus an additional 2 persons, with a maximum cap of 10 persons.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Clarksville requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Fire escape plan must be posted, Interconnected smoke alarms, Functioning CO detectors in units with gas appliances or attached garages.

Penalties(2)

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

Exemptions(2)

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

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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

Clarksville

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(6)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Clarksville

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Clarksville?

3What are the safety requirements for rentals in Clarksville?

4Are there zoning restrictions for Clarksville rentals?

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