Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Selmer?

Explicit answer: Yes—short‑term rentals are allowed in Selmer, TN. No city‑specific STR ban, cap, or “registered STR” program was found in the Town’s code or in the provided sources. You may operate an STR provided you comply with applicable state tax and registration requirements, obtain any required local business licenses and permits, and comply with all building, fire, zoning, and property maintenance codes that apply to residential properties. In addition, you must meet Tennessee’s health and safety guidance for rentals.

Note on county: No McNairy County‑specific STR regulations were identified in the provided sources. As a result, county‑level rules do not appear to impose additional STR restrictions beyond those at the state and municipal levels.

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

Step-by-step, investor-focused path:

1. Confirm zoning suitability

• Verify that your property’s zoning allows residential rental use and that the building is legal for occupancy. Title 14 of the Selmer Municipal Code governs zoning districts and uses. Selmer’s residential and business districts are defined, but there is no specific “short‑term rental” permission or prohibition located in the code provided.
• Action: Confirm with the Town Recorder (municipal clerk) that the principal use of the property is allowed in its zoning district and that any accessory uses (parking, signage) meet municipal standards. Preserve any written confirmations.

2. Register your STR with the State of Tennessee

• Tennessee requires a “short‑term rental unit” to register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDR) and display the unique registration number on listings and advertisements.
• Action: Complete state registration with TDR; obtain your registration number; ensure it is displayed on all listings and advertising platforms.

3. Obtain a local business (privilege) license

• Selmer levies annual privilege (business) taxes on occupations and businesses conducted within the Town and issues licenses upon application and tax payment.
• Action: Apply for your Selmer business/privilege license with the Town Recorder; pay the applicable tax; renew annually.

4. Comply with building, fire, and property maintenance standards

• Your STR must meet all adopted codes that apply in Selmer, including building, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, energy conservation, and property maintenance codes (Title 12; Title 13). Selmer has adopted the NFPA Fire Code (Title 7, Chapter 2) and has established fire limits.
• Action: Ensure the unit and any common areas meet all applicable codes; coordinate any required inspections with the authority having jurisdiction.

5. Align operations with Tennessee healthy‑rental practices

• Tennessee’s Health Department promotes eight healthy‑home principles for rental properties: keep it Dry; Clean; Pest‑Free; Safe; Contaminant‑Free; Ventilated; Maintained; and Thermally Controlled.
• Action: Implement operational standards for cleanliness, safety, ventilation, maintenance, pest control, and thermal control; document these in your operations manual and housekeeping protocols.

6. Prepare for guest safety and local compliance

• Post emergency contact information; keep the unit clear of fire hazards; test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; comply with any municipal rules for trash, noise, parking, and utilities (Titles 15 and 18).
• Action: Maintain a guest‑facing binder or digital guide with local regulations, emergency numbers, and safety procedures.

7. Taxes and accounting

• Expect state sales and use tax obligations related to the rental. Maintain robust records for TDR reporting and local licensing.
• Action: Set up bookkeeping; calendar due dates; monitor platform payouts vs. taxable receipts.

8. Insurance and risk

• Maintain adequate liability and property coverage for an STR; understand the Town’s tort liability policy.
• Action: Secure appropriate insurance and include STR‑specific endorsements (if available).

9. Ongoing compliance and renewals

• Annual business license; persistent compliance with codes; monitor any updates to state STR registration or tax obligations.
• Action: Create a compliance calendar; conduct periodic internal audits; document all actions.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Based on the provided sources, investors should expect to secure the following:

• State registration

  • Short‑Term Rental Unit registration with the Tennessee Department of Revenue; display the registration number on listings and advertising.

• Local business/privilege license

  • Annual business (privilege) license issued by the Town of Selmer (Title 5, Chapter 3).
  • Application, fee payment, and compliance with all regulatory provisions are required.

• Zoning confirmation

  • Written confirmation (recommended) that the residential STR use is compatible with the property’s zoning designation under Title 14.

• Safety and code compliance

  • Confirmation that the property meets building, fire, and property maintenance codes (Titles 12, 13, and 7).
  • For fire safety: compliance with NFPA Fire Code and enforcement by the Fire Chief or designee; penalties for violations (Title 7, Chapter 2).

• Health and safety guidance

  • Policies and procedures to uphold the eight healthy‑home principles recommended by the Tennessee Department of Health.

• Insurance and records

  • Liability and property insurance; continuous recordkeeping for TDR filings, local licensing, repairs, inspections, and guest communications.

Note: The provided sources do not identify a Selmer‑issued STR permit or inspection beyond standard building/fire/property maintenance and licensing processes. If Selmer enacts future STR‑specific ordinances, additional permits or contact points may apply. Verify current requirements prior to launch.

Specific Regulations: Municipal, County, and State

Municipal (Town of Selmer)

• Zoning and Land Use (Title 14)

  • Establishes residential, business, office, hospital, industrial, and flood hazard districts; sets district standards; provides for the Board of Zoning Appeals and enforcement.
  • No specific short‑term rental provisions were located in the provided materials.

• Building and Utility Codes (Title 12)

  • Adopts building, plumbing, electrical, gas, residential, mechanical, and energy conservation codes. STR units must meet applicable codes.

• Property Maintenance Regulations (Title 13)

  • Includes minimum property maintenance standards, slum clearance, junk yard rules, and abandoned motor vehicle provisions. STRs must be maintained to these standards.

• Fire Protection (Title 7, Chapter 2)

  • Adopts the NFPA Fire Code and designates the Fire Chief (or designee) as the authority having jurisdiction for enforcement; penalties for violations; establishes “fire limits” (General Business District).

• Business/Privilege Taxes and Licensing (Title 5, Chapter 3)

  • Levies an annual privilege tax on businesses and occupations within the Town; requires a license; confirms maximum rates allowed by state law.

• Municipal Offenses (Title 11)

  • Establishes local rules for public conduct and parks; establish expectations for guest behavior and noise.

• Traffic and Parking (Title 15)

  • Controls speed, turning, stopping, and parking; use these constraints to structure guest parking rules.

• Refuse and Trash (Title 17)

  • Sets rules for refuse disposal; ensure guests dispose of trash per local rules.

• Water and Sewers (Title 18)

  • Includes cross‑connection rules and water additive accountability; ensure compliance when furnishing amenities or services.

• Tort Liability (Title 4, Chapter 4)

  • The Town has exempted itself from the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (as authorized by state law). This does not apply to private STR operators.

County (McNairy County)

• No county‑specific STR regulations were identified in the provided sources. County zoning or permitting requirements may be introduced in the future; verify with county authorities if considering property outside Selmer’s corporate limits.

State (Tennessee)

• Health and safety expectations for rentals

  • The Department of Health promotes eight healthy‑home principles: keep it Dry; Clean; Pest‑Free; Safe; Contaminant‑Free; Ventilated; Maintained; and Thermally Controlled.

• Landlord–tenant context and civil courts

  • Landlord–tenant disputes are civil matters handled by courts. Most landlord and tenant concerns fall outside Health Department authority. The state’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) applies in counties of 75,000+ population (2010 Census); McNairy County is below that threshold, so URLTA does not apply. Seek legal advice for contract and dispute matters.

• Business tax framework

  • Municipal privilege tax framework references the Business Tax Act (state law). Tennessee sales and use taxes apply to short‑term rentals (collect and remit obligations as set by the Department of Revenue).

Note: The sources confirm that STRs must be registered with the Tennessee Department of Revenue and that the registration number must be displayed on listings and advertising. The sources do not provide additional licensing or permitting details at the state level beyond this registration requirement.

Local Contacts

Town of Selmer – Town Recorder (municipal clerk)

• Address: Town Hall, 100 E. Cherry St., Selmer, TN 38375
• Phone: 662-462-2326 (verify locally)
• Email: Not provided in sources
• Notes: Business/privilege license applications; zoning and general municipal inquiries

Town of Selmer – Fire Department (Fire Chief or designee; authority having jurisdiction for fire code)

• Phone: Not provided in sources
• Email: Not provided in sources
• Notes: Fire code compliance and inspections

Town of Selmer – Municipal Court Clerk (penalties and enforcement)

• Phone: Not provided in sources
• Email: Not provided in sources
• Notes: Handles code violation penalties and court matters

Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDR)

• Phone: Not provided in sources
• Email: Not provided in sources
• Website: tn.gov/revenue.html
• Notes: State registration and tax compliance for short‑term rentals

Tennessee Department of Health – Healthy Homes

• Phone: Not provided in sources
• Email: tn.health@tn.gov
• Website: tn.gov/health/cedep/environmental/healthy-homes/hh.html
• Notes: Healthy‑home resources for rental properties

Source Links (Key Pages)

• Tennessee Department of Health – Healthy Homes – Renters: www.tn.gov/health/cedep/environmental/healthy-homes/hh/renters.html
• Town of Selmer Municipal Code (MTAS): www.mtas.tennessee.edu/system/files/codes/combined/selmer-code.pdf
• Tennessee Department of Revenue – Short‑Term Rental Registration (general landing; to register STRs): www.tn.gov/revenue.html

Practical Notes for STR Investors in Selmer

• Do not assume zoning permissions. Confirm the property’s zoning classification and permitted principal uses in writing with the Town Recorder.
• Register with TDR and display your registration number prominently on all platforms.
• Obtain and keep current your Selmer business/privilege license; renew annually.
• Align your property and operations with Selmer’s fire, building, and property maintenance codes.
• Adopt and document operational standards to meet Tennessee’s healthy‑home principles; provide guests with safety and compliance information.
• Establish a clean recordkeeping process for state sales/use tax reporting and local licensing.
• Monitor for municipal or county updates; if Selmer adopts future STR‑specific ordinances, expect permit, fee, or compliance changes.