To Fee or Not to Fee—That Is the Question for Airbnb in Nashville

One side of an ongoing debate in Nashville wants to charge a fee for short-term rentals,; the other side wants to ban anything other than owner-occupied short-term rentals entirely.

1 minute read

January 23, 2018, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Nashville

ESB Professional / Shutterstock

"East Nashville Councilman Scott Davis has proposed amending legislation, BL-937, which is backed by Airbnb and short-term rental hosts, by adding a new $2 fee on to every short-term rental room night," reports Joey Garrison. "Proceeds would go to an entity called the North Nashville Consortium to benefit the construction of affordable housing."

According to Garrison, Davis's proposed Airbnb fee is highly controversial with supporters of another proposed bill, BL-608, "which would phase out short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods that aren’t occupied by owners." Garrison provides more of the detail of the political back and forth regarding the Davis's position, political future, and the short-term rental industry's support for the bill.

Hat tip to Rachel Dovey, who also covers the debate in Nashville and connects it to its precedents in other cities, like Seattle.

Thursday, January 18, 2018 in The Tennessean

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today