Chattanooga, Tennessee Short-Term Rental Market
September 2026 Chattanooga area STR averaged $200 ADR, 58.5% occupancy and $3,226 monthly revenue under strict absentee zoning.
Quick Answer: Chattanooga, Tennessee is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Chattanooga market area is 59%. average monthly revenue in the Chattanooga market area is $3,226. average daily rate in the Chattanooga market area is $200. the top operator in the Chattanooga market area is Evolve with 68 listings. market score is 97/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the wider Chattanooga market, which covers 11 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Chattanooga.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers the Chattanooga area STR market as of September 2026. The performance figures below describe a shared regional series that also includes nearby Rising Fawn, Georgia, 23 miles away, so every number refers to the Chattanooga area rather than the city limits alone. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Chattanooga, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the average daily rate across all listings was $200 and occupancy was 58.5%. Average monthly revenue per listing came to $3,226. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 7.5%, ADR rose 1.9%, and revenue rose 9.9%, which means the revenue gain came mostly from more booked nights rather than higher prices.
Summing the twelve seasonal months gives annualized revenue of $31,972 for the typical listing. Looking at the longer record, average monthly revenue was $2,783 in 2023, $3,075 in 2024, and $3,249 in 2025. The first nine months of 2026 are running at $3,213 per month with 57.9% occupancy and a $195 ADR.
Demand is anchored by tourism. Chattanooga draws about 11.1 million visitors a year, and visitor spending reached a record $1.8 billion in 2024. Major draws include the Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls, and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. The city has a population of 191,496, and about 450 new hotel rooms were slated to open in 2025, which adds lodging competition for STR operators.
Operators should read the regulatory section before buying. Absentee rentals are limited to specific commercial and mixed-use zones, and enforcement is strict.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 45% |
| Feb | 52% |
| Mar | 64% |
| Apr | 60% |
| May | 61% |
| Jun | 67% |
| Jul | 69% |
| Aug | 59% |
| Sep | 59% |
| Oct | 65% |
| Nov | 59% |
| Dec | 55% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Chattanooga are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Chattanooga market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Chattanooga market as a whole, which includes Chattanooga, so these counts are not Chattanooga-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 68 | 4,200 | ★ 4.79 |
| 2 | Unique Stays | 61 | 5,633 | ★ 4.65 |
| 3 | Timberroot Rustic Retreats | 53 | 11,084 | ★ 4.84 |
| 4 | iTrip Vacations | 53 | 1,997 | ★ 4.92 |
| 5 | River City Vacation Rentals | 52 | 4,170 | ★ 4.86 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Chattanooga?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Chattanooga are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 47.6% |
| vrbo | 5% |
| both | 47.4% |
Home Value Trends (Chattanooga)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Chattanooga are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Chattanooga — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in Chattanooga, but a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Certificate is required to operate legally under Ordinance No. 13981. The city uses two tiers. A Homestay certificate covers an owner-occupied primary residence where the owner lives on site at least 183 days a year. An Absentee certificate covers non-owner-occupied rentals. Owner occupancy is not required overall, and a primary residence is not required for the Absentee tier.
Costs are $250 to apply and $250 to renew each year for a Homestay, and $500 to apply and $500 to renew each year for an Absentee certificate. Certificates expire annually and renewals open 30 days before expiration. A lapse of more than 30 days requires a new application. Applications require a state ID showing the property address, proof of ownership, an insurance declaration page, a City of Chattanooga business license, a site or floor plan showing safety features, and an emergency escape plan.
Zoning is the major limit. Homestays are allowed in the Short-Term Rental overlay zones. Absentee rentals are restricted to mixed-use and commercial zones that allow hotels (C-C, C-R, C-MU1, C-MU2, CC, IX, RF, RV, SH, CX) or to residential parcels of 20 or more acres. Verify eligibility on the Hamilton County GIS map.
Lodging tax totals 8% (4% city plus 4% Hamilton County), on top of the Tennessee 7% state sales tax and about 2.25% local sales tax.
Enforcement is rated strict. Violations go before an administrative hearing officer who can fine up to $500 per day. Since January 1, 2026, the certificate must be physically posted inside the rental, and a photo of it must be uploaded with the annual renewal.
Market Comparison
The Chattanooga area STR market posted 58.5% occupancy and a $200 ADR in September 2026.
That combination points to a market that fills its calendar through moderate pricing instead of premium rates. Revenue growth of 9.9% year over year, driven by a 7.5% occupancy gain, shows demand is strengthening. Luxury listings at $345 and professionally managed listings at $242 both earn well above the $200 all-listings ADR, so operators who target those segments can price above the average.
Top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Chattanooga, so this profile omits them.
For investors comparing markets, the Chattanooga area offers steady demand tied to about 11.1 million annual visitors, an annualized revenue figure of $31,972 per typical listing, and a typical home value of $319,185. The tradeoff is the zoning for non-owner-occupied rentals, which is far tighter than in many comparable leisure markets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chattanooga, Tennessee
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How much do Chattanooga area short-term rentals earn?
What is the average nightly rate in the Chattanooga area?
Which months are best for Chattanooga short-term rentals?
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Chattanooga?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
What are the lodging taxes on a Chattanooga short-term rental?
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