Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Sevier County, TN

Airbnb listings are allowed in Sevier County, TN, but with restrictions. Permits are required for all units in unincorporated areas; occupancy limits are strictly enforced and affect fee structures. Mandatory safety requirements include interconnected smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers on every level, and posted evacuation plans. Larger or newer structures may be subject to additional sprinkler and Certificate of Occupancy requirements. 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.

Permits are required for all units in unincorporated areas; occupancy limits are strictly enforced and affect fee structures. Mandatory safety requirements include interconnected smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers on every level, and posted evacuation plans. Larger or newer structures may be subject to additional sprinkler and Certificate of Occupancy requirements.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Sevier County. 1. Register for an account and apply via the Sevier County CommunityConnect portal. 2. Pay the annual fee ($250 for occupancy of 12 or less; $25 per additional occupant for 13+). 3. Schedule and pass a life-safety inspection via the provided self-service link; permits are valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually.

1. Register for an account and apply via the Sevier County CommunityConnect portal. 2. Pay the annual fee ($250 for occupancy of 12 or less; $25 per additional occupant for 13+). 3. Schedule and pass a life-safety inspection via the provided self-service link; permits are valid for 12 months and must be renewed annually.

Vrbo is permitted in Sevier 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 Sevier 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 Sevier County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.