Suppose you’re planning to list a property on Airbnb, Vrbo, or any other short-term rental platform in Nashville (Davidson County). In that case, you’ll need more than just a great listing; you’ll need a city-issued permit and a home inspection for safety compliance.

As of March 2021, Nashville began requiring that all short-term rental (STR) properties comply with strict local codes related to fire safety and egress, ensuring guest safety and community standards are upheld.

Here’s what that means for property owners and how to make sure you’re ready.

🔥 Why STR Permits Require an Inspection

Short-term rentals are now viewed by the city as more similar to businesses than private homes. Because of the increased liability associated with renting to guests, Davidson County mandates that each STR undergo a fire safety inspection conducted by a licensed:

• Home inspector

• Architect

• Or engineer

In practice, most STR permit inspections are performed by licensed home inspectors, as few architects or engineers offer this service.

🧯 Fire Safety Inspection Requirements

To pass your inspection and get your short-term rental permit, your property must meet modern fire safety standards, including:

✅ Bedroom Egress Requirements

• Every sleeping room must have a window with at least 5.7 sq. ft. of opening space

• The window must be no more than 44 inches from the floor

• These requirements apply even if the home was built before modern fire codes existed there is no grandfathering for STR inspections

✅ Smoke Alarm Placement

• One smoke alarm inside every bedroom

• One smoke alarm in the hallway or common area outside each bedroom

• At least one smoke alarm on every level of the home

✅ Smoke Alarm Interconnectivity

• All smoke alarms must be interconnected, meaning if one goes off, they all go off, to alert sleeping guests anywhere in the home in case of fire

📝 Permit Renewals and Reinspections

Permits must be renewed annually, but inspections are only required once, unless:

• The permit expires or lapses

• The property is transferred and a new permit is issued

• There are major changes or renovations affecting safety compliance

In those cases, the property must pass a new inspection before the permit is reinstated.

✅ Getting Your STR Inspection Done Right

At DILIGENT, we’ve completed hundreds of STR inspections for Nashville hosts. We know exactly what city code requires and we help you understand what’s needed to pass, correct, and maintain compliance.

📍 Serving: Nashville, East Nashville, The Nations, Germantown, and all of Davidson County

💬 Ready to Schedule or Have Questions?

Visit the STR Permit Inspection section of our website or give us a call at 615.200.8220.

Let’s make sure your short-term rental is safe, legal, and guest-ready.