Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Hohenwald, TN?

Yes. Short‑term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Hohenwald, Tennessee. There are currently no city‑specific STR licensing, permitting, or operating ordinances in the Hohenwald Municipal Code. Accordingly, the state’s Short‑Term Rental Unit Act (Tennessee SB1086) and general Tennessee statutes govern STR operations, along with applicable zoning, building, fire, health and safety codes. Hosts must still comply with all required state and local tax obligations, maintain the minimum required liability insurance, meet safety standards, and obtain the necessary business licenses.

Because there is no local STR permit regime, prospective hosts should treat STRs as any other business activity subject to state law and municipal code enforcement (zoning compliance, building/fire safety, nuisance, etc.). If your property is outside city limits, Lewis County business licensing rules and zoning will apply.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Hohenwald, TN

• Confirm zoning eligibility:
  • Verify that short‑term rental use is permitted at your property’s zoning district and land use classification. For properties within Hohenwald, consult the City Hall and zoning records. For properties in Lewis County outside city limits, check county zoning and, if needed, the Lewis County Planning Department.
• Obtain required business licenses:
  • City and County business licenses are required in Tennessee when you operate a business. You will need both a Lewis County business license and, if operating within city limits, a Hohenwald city business license. Fees are modest (often about $15 per license).
• Register for state tax and compliance:
  • Register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect and remit state and local sales taxes and, if applicable, any room/occupancy taxes designated by local authorities.
  • If you are not using a marketplace platform that provides equivalent coverage, obtain liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence.
• Prepare the property to meet safety standards:
  • Install and maintain smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors where required, and fire extinguishers as mandated by SB1086 and applicable building/fire codes.
• Operate compliantly:
  • Collect applicable taxes (state sales tax, local sales tax, and any locally designated room/occupancy tax), follow any HOA/covenants restrictions, and comply with noise, parking, and nuisance rules.
• Maintain compliance:
  • Renew business licenses annually, maintain insurance, and keep records of tax filings and remittances.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Documents and authorizations:
  • Owner identification (government ID).
  • Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
  • Proof of ownership or lease authorization.
  • Lewis County business license (required).
  • City of Hohenwald business license (if operating within city limits).
  • Tennessee sales tax account registration with the DOR.
  • Liability insurance certificate (minimum $500,000) if not covered by the listing platform.
  • Proof of compliance with health and safety equipment (smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguisher).
• Licenses and permits:
  • No city‑specific STR permit exists in Hohenwald. Hosts must meet state and local business licensing requirements and any required zoning approvals.
• Safety/building compliance:
  • SB1086 requires smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers; ensure all installations meet applicable codes.
• Inspection:
  • Hohenwald does not operate a municipal STR inspection program. If a property sits within a fire district or is otherwise subject to fire inspection, those requirements still apply.
• Fees:
  • City/county business licenses: generally around $15 each. If the city later adopts an STR fee schedule, that would supersede this guidance.
• Application and renewal:
  • Licenses are typically annual. Renew before expiration to avoid penalties.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

• City (Hohenwald):
  • No local STR permit/license ordinance currently exists. The Hohenwald Municipal Code governs general municipal administration, zoning, building, fire, health and safety, and nuisance provisions. All STR operators remain subject to these general provisions and any future local ordinance changes.
• County (Lewis County):
  • Obtain a Lewis County business license to operate. County zoning governs unincorporated properties; verify STR use is allowed in the relevant district. If the county adopts a local room/occupancy tax, you will be responsible for collecting and remitting it.
• State (Tennessee):
  • Short‑Term Rental Unit Act (SB1086):
    • STR unit definition: a residential dwelling (single‑family or unit in multi‑family) rented for less than 30 continuous days; excludes hotels, tourist courts, camps, cabins, and motels.
    • Liability insurance: minimum $500,000 per occurrence unless the marketplace provides equivalent coverage.
    • Safety requirements: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers must be present and maintained.
  • Business licenses:
    • Hosts generally must obtain both city and county business licenses.
  • Taxes:
    • State sales tax (7%) plus local sales tax (varies by location; many areas total about 9.75% combined). Hosts must collect and remit sales taxes.
    • If a local room/occupancy tax has been adopted (by city or county), hosts must collect and remit that tax as well. For Hohenwald, no specific local room/occupancy tax was identified in the provided sources, but operators must verify current designations with the DOR and local government.
• General compliance:
  • Building, fire, health, zoning, noise, parking, and waste management requirements apply. Ensure your listing and operations do not violate any HOA, condominium covenants, or restrictive covenants.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website Where Available)

• City of Hohenwald (City Hall)
  • Address: 120 W Main Ave, Hohenwald, TN 38462
  • Phone: (931) 796‑2231
  • Website: www.cityofhohenwald.com
  • Use: General administration, business licensing, zoning/building code questions.
• Lewis County (County Courthouse/Clerk)
  • Phone: (931) 796‑2200
  • Use: County business licensing, local tax/tax Collector matters; zoning/planning outside city limits.
• Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR)
  • Phone: (615) 253‑0600
  • Website: revenue.tn.gov
  • Use: Sales tax registration, filing, and remittance guidance for STR operators.
• Tennessee State Legislature (Bill/Statute Reference)
  • SB1086 (Short‑Term Rental Unit Act): www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/SB1086.pdf
  • Use: Verify current statewide STR definitions and requirements.

Links to Source Pages

• Hohenwald Municipal Code (June 2017): www.mtas.tennessee.edu/system/files/codes/combined/Hohenwald-code.pdf
• Tennessee SB1086 (Short‑Term Rental Unit Act): www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/SB1086.pdf

Compliance Checklist for Hohenwald STRs

• Confirm zoning allows STR use at your property.
• Obtain Lewis County business license; obtain City of Hohenwald business license if within city limits.
• Register with TN Department of Revenue for sales tax; set up remittance processes.
• Verify and collect combined state/local sales tax (commonly ~9.75% total where applicable).
• Check for any locally designated room/occupancy tax and comply if applicable.
• Maintain liability insurance of at least $500,000 (unless covered by a marketplace).
• Install/maintain smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers; meet building/fire codes.
• Respect noise, parking, and nuisance rules; ensure HOA/covenants compliance.
• Keep thorough records; renew licenses annually.

Important note: Because Hohenwald has no specific STR ordinance today, operators should monitor municipal and county actions. If local room/occupancy taxes or other STR regulations are adopted, your obligations may change.