Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Blount County, TN

Airbnb listings are allowed in Blount County, TN, but with restrictions. In unincorporated areas, density is limited to 0.5 units per acre in R-2 zones; developments exceeding 10 units must meet multi-family improvement standards. In Maryville, units must pass a life safety inspection (smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguishers) and operators must pay a local occupancy tax for rentals under 30 days. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

In unincorporated areas, density is limited to 0.5 units per acre in R-2 zones; developments exceeding 10 units must meet multi-family improvement standards. In Maryville, units must pass a life safety inspection (smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguishers) and operators must pay a local occupancy tax for rentals under 30 days.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Blount County. 1. Submit a permit application to the Building Commissioner (for up to 2 units) or a site plan to the Planning Department (for 3+ units). 2. Complete a Life Safety Compliance Affidavit ensuring smoke alarms, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers are installed. 3. Obtain a city and county business license and register with the State of Tennessee (TNTAP) for occupancy tax collection.

1. Submit a permit application to the Building Commissioner (for up to 2 units) or a site plan to the Planning Department (for 3+ units). 2. Complete a Life Safety Compliance Affidavit ensuring smoke alarms, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers are installed. 3. Obtain a city and county business license and register with the State of Tennessee (TNTAP) for occupancy tax collection.

Vrbo is permitted in Blount County, TN under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Blount County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Blount County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.