Chattanooga, Tennessee Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Chattanooga Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Chattanooga. A moratorium is in effect on all new non-owner-occupied short-term rental applications through January 09, 2023. New owner-occupied short-term rental applications require two forms of proof establishing primary residence. They must provide a Tennessee Driver's license or State of Tennessee identification card. To check your zoning and proximity to the Short-Term Vacation Overlay, please click here and see Ordinance 13515 for more information.Business License Requirements
Short-term rentals need to apply for a Short-Term Vacation Rental permitBuilding and Housing Standards
Chattanooga has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult the Code Compliance International Building Code Reference for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county lawOther Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of Chattanooga for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.1
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Competition
4.3 -
Real Estate Cost
N/A -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
8.2 -
Rental Rates
3.9
Chattanooga, Tennessee Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 181,099
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Hamilton
- Airports
- Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)
- Marion County Airport (APT)
Want to learn more about Chattanooga?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Chattanooga rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Chattanooga rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Chattanooga.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Chattanooga guests.
Interested in other Tennessee cities?
Check out the Tennessee short term rental regulations directory
What makes Chattanooga a great place to invest?
- The Scenic City: Chattanooga boasts breathtaking natural beauty, earning its nickname "The Scenic City." Nestled between the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau, visitors can immerse themselves in lush forests, picturesque valleys, and sparkling rivers.
- Rock City & Ruby Falls: Explore the enchanting Rock City Gardens, a magical destination featuring ancient rock formations, panoramic views, and the awe-inspiring Lover's Leap. Descend deep into Lookout Mountain to discover the captivating Ruby Falls, America's tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public.
- Tennessee Aquarium: Dive into the world of aquatic wonder at the renowned Tennessee Aquarium. Home to more than 12,000 animals, including river otters, penguins, and alligators, this immersive experience takes you on a journey through two impressive buildings – the River Journey and the Ocean Journey.
- Outdoor Adventures: Get your adrenaline pumping with Chattanooga's exhilarating outdoor activities. Kayak or paddleboard down the Tennessee River, go mountain biking on the famous Raccoon Mountain trails, or challenge yourself on some of the Southeast's best rock climbing routes.
- Cultural Attractions: Chattanooga is a cultural hotspot, offering diverse attractions such as the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Creative Discovery Museum, and the Tivoli Theatre. Experience the rich history of the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a former railway station turned entertainment complex.
Chattanooga Nearby Cities
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55 miles away
- Rating: 4.8
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59 miles away
- Rating: 6.4
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The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Chattanooga, Tennessee
Common terms for Chattanooga short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Chattanooga has a description approximately 1,892 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 1,723 listings in Chattanooga, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Chattanooga, Downtown Chattanooga, Downtown, Lookout Mountain, Perfect, Main, Cabin, Deck, Place, and Porch.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Chattanooga?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Chattanooga involve Hiking, the City Centre, Museums, the Zoo, and Rock Climbing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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City Centre
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Museums
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Zoo
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Rock Climbing
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Mountain Biking
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Cycling
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Kayaking
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Boating
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Swimming
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Health Spa
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Wildlife Viewing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Chattanooga, including Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Chattanooga Riverfront, Chattanooga Convention Center, and Chattanooga Choo Choo. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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Chattanooga Riverfront
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Chattanooga Zoo
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Tivoli Theatre
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Ross's Landing Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Tennessee Aquarium
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Chattanooga Convention Center
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Chattanooga Choo Choo
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Southside Historic District
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Included on most listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Ruby Falls
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Included on most listings
What’s the weather like in Chattanooga, Tennessee?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 71°, while the average low is about 52°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 46 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 3 inches per year. The humidity levels in Chattanooga are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
35° Low 53° High
Spring
March through May
51° Low 72° High
Summer
June through August
69° Low 88° High
Fall
September through November
52° Low 72° High
Cities Near Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is located in Hamilton County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
