Nestled in the heart of Tennessee, Nashville is a vibrant city that is known for its music scene, and it has been dubbed the “Music City.” The city is home to numerous recording studios, music venues, and country music museums. In addition to its musical heritage, Nashville is also known for its food. The city boasts a wide variety of restaurants, from casual diners to upscale eateries. And no visit to Nashville would be complete without sampling some of the local cuisine, which includes such specialties as hot chicken and Southern-style barbecue. Whether you’re looking for live music, good food, or a taste of history, Nashville has something to offer everyone.
If you're thinking of investing in a rental property, Nashville is a great option. The city has seen a boom in short-term rentals in recent years, and as a result, there is high demand for well-located and well-appointed properties. Davidson County has strict regulations regarding short-term rentals, but these are relatively easy to comply with if you use a reputable property management company. Investing in a rental property in Nashville can be a wise decision that provides you with a good return on investment. In this blog post, we'll walk you through how to get a short-term rental permit in Nashville and provide some helpful tips along the way. Let's get started!
To post your unit or home on a short-term rental site, you are legally required to obtain a permit from Nashville’s Metro Codes Department. While the process may seem overwhelming at first, with a little bit of time, research, and proper documentation, you’ll be ready to rent in no time. The first thing to keep in mind is that there are two types of short-term permits (STRPs) in Nashville. Depending on your situation, you’ll apply for either an owner-occupied or a non-owner-occupied permit.
According to https://www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/short-term-rentals/apply-short-term-rental-property-permit there was a process change that went into effect on March 1, 2022.
The effective change states: "In an effort to streamline the process for obtaining a short-term rental permit, and in order to continue protecting the health and safety of short-term rental tenants, effective March 1, 2022, the Nashville Fire Marshal’s office will no longer conduct inspections on single and two-family homes. Instead, short-term rental permit applications in these homes must include a certification from a state-licensed architect, engineer, or home inspector that the home complies with Metropolitan Code of Laws § 6.28.030.A.5.b and § 6.28.030.B.5.b. No permit will be issued without this certification."
The Metropolitan Code requires that all applicants for a permit must provide proof of payment of all taxes due, including property taxes and, for permit renewals, all applicable room, occupancy, and sales taxes required by state law. To avoid delays in processing your application, please be sure to have your tax records in order before submitting your application.
You can find out more information by clicking this link, which will take you to the Metropolitan Trustee's office.
The second step to obtaining your short term rental permit is to provide a floor plan that is either official or hand drawn. The floor plan should include all rooms, the location of windows, doors, and smoke detectors. Remember, smoke detectors are required in any area that would be used for sleeping. Also, there is a maximum of four sleeping rooms for a short term rental property. If you have more rooms than that you do not qualify for a short term rental permit.
Step three is showing proof of liability insurance. Liability insurance includes fire, hazard, and liability insurance. The coverage should have limits in place to not have less than one million dollars per occurrence.
Note: Some listing companies (such as airbnb or vrbo) may offer homeowners the appropriate insurance that meets requirements.
In order to apply for a permit, the applicant must provide a notarized affidavit confirming that all of the information provided during the application process is accurate and true. If the owner of a property wants to use a property manager (like Chady) or rental company to apply for the permit on the homeowner's behalf, they must fill out and sign this notarized affidavit authorizing the third party. By signing this affidavit, the property owner is taking responsibility for ensuring that all of the information provided in the application is accurate and up-to-date. This helps to ensure that the city has accurate records of all short-term rental properties in operation and that these properties are being operated in compliance with all applicable regulations.
Click here for the notarized affidavit form for Owner occupied applicants
Click here for the notarized affidavit for Non-owner occupied applicants
Click here for the notarized affidavit for the third party
To continue the process of obtaining your short-term rental permit, as an owner, you are required to notify your adjacent property owners. For each adjacent property, this proof can be done in multiple ways. Here are the ways that this portion can be accomplished: the form of a signature from the owner, a signed receipt for U.S. registered or certified mail addressed to the owner, or notice from the U.S. Postal Service that registered or certified mail was refused or not timely accepted. If the adjacent property is owned by the Metro Government, notification is not required. This requirement helps to ensure that all affected parties are aware of the proposed project and have an opportunity to provide input. In turn, this helps to create a more open and transparent process that leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Click this link to access:
Step seven is having the Homeowners Association statement. The Homeowners Association statement is divided into two sections. The first section is having the applicant provide a statement confirming having a short-term rental will not violate their Homeowners Association Agreement, codes, restrictions, or bylaws. The second section is to have the owner provide proof of someone that can be a local responsible party. This responsible party has to be twenty-five mile radius of a short-term rental property. This second section requires the name, address, email, and phone of the local responsible party.
Click here to fill out the Homeowners Association and Contact Information form
When applying for an owner-occupied permit, the property owner must show proof of residence with two forms of documentation. These forms must include the address of the residence in question and can be one of the following: a Tennessee driver’s license, another state ID card, Davidson County voter registration card, pay stub, work ID or badge, IRS W2 form, or bank statement. Utility bills will unfortunately not suffice as proof of residence. However, with any of the aforementioned documents, the residency will be successfully established and the permit can be granted.
When you have collected all of the forms that you need, the final step is submitting your application for review. To do this you will put all of your documents into a singular PDF file and send the PDF file to [email protected] along with your contact info. Once you do this your application will be placed under review.
Once your application is reviewed and accepted there are a few things to note to remember. First, if you are one or two-family dwelling you will need to follow the effective process change with getting a certification. If you are are multifamily dwelling you will need to schedule an inspection with the Nashville Fire Department with using this email: [email protected].
When emailing include your temporary permit number, address, phone number, and permit number. Once the inspection is completed and approved by the Fire Marshal, you must pay a $313 permit fee before you can get your official permit. When you get your permit you are now allowed (and required) to post your short term rental property online.
Once 365 days have passed you are required to renew your short term rental property. Click here to renew your property annually.
Applying for a short-term rental permit in Nashville is a relatively simple process, but remember the few things listed above. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to complete the application and gather all the required documents. If you have any questions along the way, reach out to Chady Property Management for assistance. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to securing your permit and welcoming guests into your home!
As a property owner in Fort Lauderdale, you are uniquely situated to enjoy all the city has to offer. Known as the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale is home to 165 miles of waterways, which provide a stunning natural backdrop for the city's art and architecture. The city's beach is also world-famous, and its warm climate makes it a popular destination for visitors from around the world. As a property owner, you have the opportunity to enjoy all of these amenities and more. Whether you're looking for a place for you and your family to relax or a vacation rental to rent out to entertain guests, Fort Lauderdale has something to offer everyone.
As Fort Lauderdale grows in popularity as a tourist destination, the demand for short-term rental properties has increased exponentially. While this is great news for property owners and investors, it can create some challenges for those looking to rent out their properties on a short-term basis. In this blog post, we will outline the process of getting a short-term rental permit in Fort Lauderdale and provide some tips on how to make the application process as smooth as possible.
The city of Fort Lauderdale has a wide variety of vacation rental properties. These properties can range from apartments and condos to private homes and villas. These rentals are often owned by individuals who use them as second homes or investment properties. Many vacation rental owners live out of state or even out of the country, therefore they rent their property as a vacation rental property. In the city of Fort Lauderdale, a short-term rental is defined as any lease with an average period of six months or less. These shorter-term rentals are typically referred to as "short-term rentals."
While the city does have regulations regarding short-term rentals, they are generally much less strict than the regulations for longer-term rentals. For example, many short-term rental properties do not require a minimum stay, and guests are often not required to undergo a background check. Additionally, most short-term rental agreements do not require a security deposit. Hint, this is why the city requires property owners to have a short-term rental permit.
According to fortlauderdale.com, the Vacation Rental Registration program "regulates vacation rentals as defined in Section 509.242. of the Florida Statutes (2015). A Vacation Rental shall mean any unit or group of units in a condominium or cooperative or any individually or collectively owned single family homes, two-family homes, three-family homes, or four-family homes or dwelling unit that is rented to Transient Occupants more than three (3) times in a calendar year for periods of less than thirty (30) days or one (1) calendar month, whichever is less, or which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to Transient Occupants."
Please note that hosts are required to adhere to the city's short-term rental regulations, which include limits on the number of guests and noise levels. Failure to do so may result in your permit being revoked. By following the proper procedures, you can avoid any problems and ensure a smooth rental experience for both you and your guests.
If you're planning on renting out your property for a short-term vacation rental, you'll need to apply for a permit from the city of Fort Lauderdale. Vacation rental properties are regulated under city code, and all owners must obtain a permit before they can list their property on a short-term rental platform. The application process is relatively simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you'll need to submit a completed application form, along with any required supporting documentation. This includes things like a property owner's affidavit and a Certificate of Use. You can find the necessary forms on the city’s website. Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed by city staff and either approved or denied. If you're approved, you'll have a payment to complete, and then the city will do an inspection of the property. For an in-depth breakdown of each step, keep reading.
Step one is to Submit your Application - first, you will need to create or login to your account. (Use this link: https://aca-prod.accela.com/FTL/Default.aspx) From there you will:
1. Apply for all State and County licenses.
2. Provide a copy of your lease agreement and ensure the required information found in the vacation rental ordinance is part of the agreement.
3. Have proof of property ownership. You can get this at the Broward County Property Appraiser's website.
4. Once the application has been approved, The City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax Application will be created.
You can complete the vacation rental application through LauderBuild using this link: https://aca-prod.accela.com/FTL/Default.aspx
Remember, any application that is missing documents or incomplete will be rejected by the City of Fort Lauderdale. If this is the case, they will notify you about the missing information and documents by email. You will then have five days to complete any of the missing information or obtain additional documents.
If your application is accepted, it will be processed within three business days. (YAY!)
Step two is to complete payment. Once the application is processed, vacation rental owners will receive an email with their vacation rental account number and payment link, as well as an invoice from the City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax office for the business tax fee. Upon payment of both fees, the property will be scheduled for inspection.
Vacation Rental Fee Schedule:
Step three is to have the Inspection completed by the code officer. Once you have completed your application and payment, the code officer will be notified that your vacation rental is ready for inspection. Once notified, the code officer will contact you (or the applicant) via phone or email within three business days of payment to set up a date and time to complete the inspection. If you happen to, unfortunately, fail the inspection, a re-inspection can be completed ten days after the first inspection, costing an extra $75.00 fee for each re-inspection attempted. If you pass the inspection, you will receive a certificate of compliance that will be issued within three business days after your vacation rental passes inspection.
Here is a link to the Vacation Rental Inspection Checklist to prepare for your inspection, provided by fortlauderdale.gov: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/65729/637813756136030000
As the vacation rental market continues to grow, more and more homeowners are considering obtaining a short term rental permit. There are many benefits to having a permit, including the ability to rent out your property on a short term basis, increased income potential while complying with Fort Lauderdale ordinances. Additionally, by having a permit you will be able to list your vacation rentals on popular vacation rental websites, making it easier for guests to find your property. If you are considering renting out your property on a short term basis, obtaining a permit is a great way to ensure that you are in compliance with all city regulations and continue to have benefits.
According to fortlauderdale.gov the renewal deadline for certification is August 1st and every certificate expires September 30th each year. Additionally, the City of Fort Lauderdale Business Tax License expires on September 30th and requires renewal with a fee of $157.50, which is invoiced separately from the vacation rental renewal fee.
That being said, a $75 late fee is given to any vacation rental renewal application that is incomplete or not submitted by the deadline. Applications that are not completely submitted by September 1st will be considered new applications and charged the $350 application fee as well as require a new inspection.
Steps for Renewal Recap
6. The Code Inspector will call you to set up your inspection once fees are paid.
7. You will receive your Certificate of Compliance within three business days of inspection.
Now that you know the steps to get your vacation rental permit in Fort Lauderdale, you should be good to go! The vacation rental market in Fort Lauderdale has been growing rapidly in recent years, and there is no shortage of demand for rental properties. As a result, it is important to be familiar with the vacation rental ordinances before you list your property. Fortunately, the process for getting a vacation rental permit is relatively straightforward. Once you have obtained a permit, you will be able to start renting out your property. I hope this blog post was informative and helpful for you. Thanks for reading!
If you have any additional questions about renewals and ordinance or order changes, you can email [email protected] for more information.
