ChattanoogaShort-term rental rules
Additional vacation and regional market / Tennessee
Chattanooga allows transfer of a valid certificate to a new owner for the same property through its transfer process.
Research reviewed . Primary sources linked.
- Does the operating permit transfer?
- Depends on approval
A valid certificate can transfer to a new owner or applicant at the same address. It cannot move to another property, and the occupancy type cannot change during transfer.
- Can the land-use approval continue?
- Same property and occupancy type
The transfer route preserves the certificate location and occupancy type. It does not authorize relocation or conversion to another rental category.
- Can this buyer obtain approval?
- Homestay and absentee categories have different location and occupancy requirements. Confirm the zoning, overlay and any density limit for the certificate type.
- License or registration
- A city STVR certificate is required. The service page provides a transfer application and supporting-document checklist.
- Application availability
- Confirm current availability
Check the official program before applying. The absence of a reported waitlist is not evidence that this property or buyer can receive approval.
- Timing to verify
- No sale-specific deadline was established in this summary. Ask the issuing office about filing, renewal and any interruption in operation.
- Changes and uncertainty
- An eligible certificate still needs a transfer application. Obtain the certificate record and verify its current validity.
What this means for the appraisal
- Identify the exact approval held by the seller and obtain the issuing office’s written procedure for this ownership change.
- Verify the property’s land-use approval and continuation conditions. Research finding: Same property and occupancy type.
- Check the proposed buyer against the recorded requirements: Homestay and absentee categories have different location and occupancy requirements. Confirm the zoning, overlay and any density limit for the certificate type.
- In the assignment analysis, identify the evidence supporting the proposed rental use, any operating interruption and any unresolved assumptions.
Use these prompts to plan the property review. The appraiser must evaluate the evidence and reach the assignment-specific conclusions.
Record the property evidence in a worksheetRequest documents from the owner or agent
Copy this market-specific request, add the property address and edit it for the assignment.
Read or select the document request
Subject: STR property document request | Chattanooga, TN Please provide the following documents for the property under review. Identify any item that is unavailable or does not apply. 1. Property address, parcel ID and confirmation of the governing jurisdiction. 2. Current operating permit or registration, named holder, expiration date and renewal history, if applicable. 3. Written ownership-change instructions from the issuing office. Guide finding: A valid certificate can transfer to a new owner or applicant at the same address. It cannot move to another property, and the occupancy type cannot change during transfer. 4. Zoning approval, conditional-use permit, variance or grandfathering record, including conditions and evidence of continued use. Guide finding: The transfer route preserves the certificate location and occupancy type. It does not authorize relocation or conversion to another rental category. 5. Documents addressing the proposed buyer and property requirements: Homestay and absentee categories have different location and occupancy requirements. Confirm the zoning, overlay and any density limit for the certificate type. 6. Current confirmation of application availability, including any cap, waitlist, lottery or separation rule. Guide finding: Check the official program before applying. The absence of a reported waitlist is not evidence that this property or buyer can receive approval. 7. Recorded covenants, HOA or condominium rental restrictions and applicable lease restrictions. 8. Rental operating statements and booking records, with the periods covered and any anticipated interruption at closing. Market research reviewed: 2026-10-31. These requests need property-specific verification. Official research sources: Chattanooga short-term rental permits and certificate transfer: https://chattanooga.gov/pay-and-apply/permits-applications/short-term-rental
Research and guide updates
- Research record: Research recorded for this market. Primary sources linked. See the findings, open questions and official sources below.
- Guide tools: Added assignment prompts, a document request and consistent research questions. This tool update does not change the market research date.
Changes and uncertainty to verify
An eligible certificate still needs a transfer application. Obtain the certificate record and verify its current validity.
Sources and research limits
The sale summary cites official code, program guidance or a court record. Read its scope and any remaining questions; it is not a parcel determination.
Use this summary to identify the documents and questions for a property review. A seller's rental history alone does not establish a buyer's permission to operate.
Nearby, with different rules
A mailing address or destination name can cover more than one jurisdiction.
- Nashville, TN (largest 50 cities)
- Sevierville, TN (additional vacation and regional market)