Overview: Are STRs allowed in Pulaski?

Short‑term rentals are allowed in Pulaski, TN, but they are regulated. As of 2025, the City has adopted a short‑term rental registry ordinance and a business‑license requirement for rentals of 30 days or less. The framework is compliance‑oriented—focused on contactability in emergencies, business license tax collection, and alignment with state hotel/motel tax requirements. The City’s stated intent is not to be burdensome but to ensure properties are registered, licensed, and tax‑compliant. If you operate a property in Pulaski for stays under 30 days, you must register the unit and obtain a local business license. Traditional long‑term rentals (more than 30 days) are not covered by the STR ordinance. Note: No city‑specific caps on units, density, or zoning restrictions were identified in the provided materials.

How to start a short‑term rental business in Pulaski

1. Confirm the property and business structure

• Confirm zoning compliance and any HOA/CC&R constraints. While no STR‑specific zoning restrictions were identified in the provided sources, verify suitability for residential rental use.
• Choose an entity structure (LLC/corporation/sole proprietorship) for licensing and tax purposes. The business license must name an operator and designate a person in charge who can be contacted in emergencies.

2. Apply for the Pulaski business license

• Complete a City business license application and pay any applicable business privilege tax for “Short‑Term Rental” operations.
• You must designate a “person in charge” who can be contacted for emergency purposes; the City has emphasized contactability as a key objective of the registry ordinance.

3. Register the STR unit on the city registry

• Register each STR unit on the City registry, as required by the adopted ordinance.
• Provide contact information and operational details as part of the registration process.

4. Comply with state hotel/motel tax obligations

• Short‑term rentals are subject to Tennessee’s Hotel/Motel Tax (sales and use tax on accommodations). The City notes that the registry aligns with hotel/motel compliance and tax collection.
• Register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR) for sales and use tax and hotel/motel tax as applicable; collect and remit taxes on stays of 30 days or less.

5. Operational readiness

• Implement occupancy, fire/life‑safety, and guest communications that support rapid contactability.
• Maintain records of guests, bookings, and tax remittances; ensure the “person in charge” is reachable for emergencies.

6. Ongoing compliance

• Renew business license annually; update the registry if contact information or operating details change.
• Remit state sales and hotel/motel taxes on schedule; comply with any municipal or county business tax obligations.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City of Pulaski business license (for STR operations)
• STR registry registration for each unit
• Designated “person in charge” for emergency contactability
• Evidence of state tax registration (TN sales/use tax and hotel/motel tax)
• Guest and booking records to support tax compliance
• Evidence of property insurance (best practice; required coverage limits not specified in provided materials)

Note: No specific STR inspection/fee schedule, occupancy limits, or design/appearance standards were identified in the provided sources.

Specific regulations (City, County, State)

City of Pulaski (municipal)

• Definition: “Short‑term rental” applies to rentals of 30 days or less. Leases exceeding 30 days—even if a guest departs early—do not fall under the STR ordinance.
• Registration: STR units must be registered on a City registry.
• Business license: Operators must obtain a City business license; a local business privilege tax applies.
• Contactability: A person in charge must be designated and reachable for emergencies.
• Enforcement and compliance: The registry is framed as a tool for emergency contact and tax compliance; the City did not propose operational caps or density limits in the materials reviewed.
• Zoning: No STR‑specific zoning restrictions were identified in the provided materials; verify zoning compliance for the subject property.

Giles County

• No county‑level STR regulations were identified in the provided sources. If your property is in the City of Pulaski, follow City requirements. If outside city limits, confirm any county requirements directly with Giles County.

State of Tennessee

• STRs are permitted and generally treated as taxable transient accommodations; hotels, motels, and STRs of 30 days or less are subject to sales and use tax and the Hotel/Motel Tax.
• DOR registration is required for collecting/remitting sales and hotel/motel taxes on taxable stays.
• Fire/life‑safety: The City has adopted the International Fire Code (2021 edition) with local modifications; ensure compliance with fire safety requirements for residential occupancies hosting transient guests.
• Business taxes: Tennessee’s Business Tax Act applies to local business privilege taxes; the City’s business license and privilege tax structure is the primary local mechanism referenced.

Note on municipal code: The Pulaski Municipal Code lists a chapter on Short‑Term Residential Rental Units (Title 12, Chapter 10), but the content of that chapter was not included in the provided excerpt. Always request the full code text from the City to confirm any additional operational requirements.

Local authority contacts

Primary contacts (as listed in the Municipal Code; verify direct phone/email before use):

• City Administrator: Terry W. Harrison — Telephone: (931) 363‑1460
• City Recorder: Terry W. Harrison — Telephone: (931) 363‑1460
• Address: Pulaski City Hall (address not specified in provided materials)
• Meeting cadence: Regular Board of Mayor and Aldermen meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 12:00 P.M. in the City Hall council room (for public engagement).

Tip: Because the registry ordinance is new, ask the City Administrator/City Recorder for:

• The registry application portal or form
• Any current STR inspection checklist
• The local business license fee schedule and renewal cycle
• The designated person‑in‑charge form/requirements

Links to source pages

• Pulaski adopts short‑term rental registry ordinance on second reading (CitizenPortal, March 11, 2025): citizenportal.ai/articles/6642500/Pulaski/Giles-County/Tennessee/Pulaski-adopts-short-term-rental-registry-ordinance-on-second-reading
• Short‑Term Rental Ordinance Passes (Main Street Media of Tennessee, March 5, 2025): mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/local/short-term-rental-ordinance-passes/
• The Pulaski Municipal Code (August 2025) – reference for business licensing and adopted codes: www.mtas.tennessee.edu/system/files/codes/combined/Pulaski-code.pdf

This guide synthesizes only the content you provided. For definitive requirements and current applications, obtain the latest City registry documents, business license forms, and any applicable fee schedules from Pulaski City Hall.