In Nashville, the permit you’re usually looking for is called a Short Term Rental Property (STRP) permit. The city also uses the term Vacation Lodging Service (VLS) for a related real-estate licensing category, but for operating an Airbnb-style rental in Nashville, STRP is the main local permit name.

How it’s labeled

  • Short Term Rental Property (STRP) permit : the city permit required to rent, advertise, or operate a short-term rental in Nashville.
  • Owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied : the two main STRP permit types.
  • Vacation Lodging Service (VLS) : a Tennessee real-estate service/licensing term tied to managing or marketing vacation rentals.

Practical takeaway

If you’re asking what to file with Nashville Metro for an Airbnb or similar rental, use STRP permit as the key phrase. If you’re asking about the real-estate licensing term under Tennessee rules, that’s Vacation Lodging Service (VLS).

Bottom line

For most hosts, the simple answer is: Nashville calls it a Short Term Rental Property permit.