The inspection certificate for a Nashville short-term rental permit
Single- and two-family homes need a certificate from a state-licensed inspector before Metro will issue a permit. Here’s what it covers, from Metro’s inspection guidelines.
Checked against Metro’s pages on 6 November 2026. A guide, not legal advice: Metro decides every application.
Who can certify
A Tennessee state-licensed architect, engineer or home inspector. Metro says no permit will be issued without this certification. Buildings where units share a hallway or walkway need a Fire Marshal inspection instead.
What it checks
That the home meets the state and local building and fire safety codes, including Metro Code § 6.28.030.A.5.b and B.5.b and the 2018 International Residential Code, with emphasis on its smoke alarm section, R314. Whatever the home’s age, three things must meet the 2018 codes:
- Smoke alarms, UL 217, in every sleeping area, in every room on the way out from a sleeping area, and on each story, including basements, interconnected as the code requires.
- Egress windows in the bedrooms. The Fire Marshal accepts bedroom egress windows that passed the inspection for the building’s final use and occupancy letter.
- House numbers at least 3 inches high, in a contrasting color, on the building or the mailbox.
What you get back
An inspection report that includes a verified floor plan. You can draw the floor plan and the inspector verifies it, or the inspector draws it; Metro says a basic but accurate plan is enough. Every page of the report must be stamped, sealed or signed and dated by the inspector, with their license number.
Questions about the fire code go to the Nashville Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office: 615-862-5421 or FMORequests@nashville.gov.