Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Pigeon Forge?

**Yes**, a Tourist Home Permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Pigeon Forge. You need to obtain this permit annually, as outlined in Title 9, Chapter 7 of the municipal code. The permit helps the city regulate and monitor rental activity.

What is the TOT tax rate in Pigeon Forge?

**2.5%** is the Gross Receipts tax rate for short-term rentals in Pigeon Forge. Hosts must collect this tax from their guests and remit it to the city monthly. This tax applies to the gross receipts generated from the rental of your property.

How much does an STR permit cost in Pigeon Forge?

**$50** is the annual fee for a Tourist Home Permit in Pigeon Forge. This permit is required for all short-term rentals and must be renewed each year. Acquiring this permit ensures compliance with local regulations for rentals. Ensure prompt renewal each year.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Pigeon Forge?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to operate short-term rentals in Pigeon Forge. The city requires that the property owner obtain the necessary permits and licenses. Renters are prohibited from subleasing their units as short-term rentals, per Pigeon Forge regulations.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Pigeon Forge?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Pigeon Forge, but they are regulated as 'Tourist Homes.' You must obtain a permit and a city business license to operate legally. Compliance with the city's regulations is required to run your rental business.

Pigeon Forge

Moderate

TennesseeUpdated Mar 20, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Pigeon Forge regulates short-term rentals as 'Tourist Homes' under Title 9, Chapter 7 of the municipal code. Hosts must obtain a $50 annual permit, a city business license, and remit a 2.5% Gross Receipts tax monthly.

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Pigeon Forge, you need to register your property as a 'Tourist Home.' You'll need to pay a $50 annual fee and get a local business license. Unlike some other cities, Pigeon Forge requires you to manually report and pay a 2.5% city tax every month, even if your booking platform collects the state sales tax for you. You must also pass a fire safety inspection every year to keep your permit active.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time7-10 business days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Confirmed researching City of Pigeon Forge incorporated limits; county rules (Sevier) are different.
2The 2.5% Gross Receipts Tax is NOT collected by Airbnb/VRBO; hosts must remit it manually.
3Property must pass a fire safety inspection annually.
4You must have a local emergency contact available 24/7 who can respond within 45 minutes.
5Septic-served properties have occupancy limits based on the septic permit, not the number of beds.
6Business licenses must be renewed through the TN Dept of Revenue, but the permit is local.
7Failure to file the monthly tax return, even with zero revenue, results in penalties.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Pigeon Forge allows STRs in the following property types: Residential dwellings, Cabins, Condos.
Pigeon Forge does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Pigeon Forge, TN: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements15 rules

Pigeon Forge STR warning: Property must pass a fire safety inspection annually.
Pigeon Forge: You must have a local emergency contact available 24/7 who can respond within 45 minutes.
Pigeon Forge, TN: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process10 rules

STR regulations overview for Pigeon Forge: The City of Pigeon Forge regulates short-term rentals as 'Tourist Homes' under Title 9, Chapter 7 of the municipal code. Hosts must obtain a $50 annual permit, a city business license, and remit a 2.5% Gross Receipts tax monthly.

Fees & costs1 rule

Pigeon Forge charges a registration fee of $50 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $2 (A $2.00 application fee is typically added to the $50 permit fee).

Taxes4 rules

Pigeon Forge: The 2.5% Gross Receipts Tax is NOT collected by Airbnb/VRBO; hosts must remit it manually.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Pigeon Forge occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, subject to septic capacity if applicable. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Pigeon Forge, TN occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, subject to septic capacity if applicable. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements2 rules

Pigeon Forge requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Annual fire safety inspection, Egress must be maintained, Working telephone line.
Pigeon Forge: Property must pass a fire safety inspection annually.

Penalties3 rules

Pigeon Forge enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation to Municipal Court. Second offense: Permit revocation for 12 months. Third offense: Permanent permit revocation. Daily fine: $50.00 per day. Maximum fine: $50.00 per day (Tennessee state cap). Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Pigeon Forge: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Pigeon Forge exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Pigeon Forge, TN: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Pigeon Forge

Moderate

TennesseeUpdated Mar 20, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time7-10 business days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Confirmed researching City of Pigeon Forge incorporated limits; county rules (Sevier) are different.
2The 2.5% Gross Receipts Tax is NOT collected by Airbnb/VRBO; hosts must remit it manually.
3Property must pass a fire safety inspection annually.
4You must have a local emergency contact available 24/7 who can respond within 45 minutes.
5Septic-served properties have occupancy limits based on the septic permit, not the number of beds.
6Business licenses must be renewed through the TN Dept of Revenue, but the permit is local.
7Failure to file the monthly tax return, even with zero revenue, results in penalties.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Pigeon Forge allows STRs in the following property types: Residential dwellings, Cabins, Condos.
Pigeon Forge does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Pigeon Forge, TN: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements15 rules

Pigeon Forge STR warning: Property must pass a fire safety inspection annually.
Pigeon Forge: You must have a local emergency contact available 24/7 who can respond within 45 minutes.
Pigeon Forge, TN: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application process10 rules

STR regulations overview for Pigeon Forge: The City of Pigeon Forge regulates short-term rentals as 'Tourist Homes' under Title 9, Chapter 7 of the municipal code. Hosts must obtain a $50 annual permit, a city business license, and remit a 2.5% Gross Receipts tax monthly.

Fees & costs1 rule

Pigeon Forge charges a registration fee of $50 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $2 (A $2.00 application fee is typically added to the $50 permit fee).

Taxes4 rules

Pigeon Forge: The 2.5% Gross Receipts Tax is NOT collected by Airbnb/VRBO; hosts must remit it manually.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Pigeon Forge occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, subject to septic capacity if applicable. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Pigeon Forge, TN occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, subject to septic capacity if applicable. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements2 rules

Pigeon Forge requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Annual fire safety inspection, Egress must be maintained, Working telephone line.
Pigeon Forge: Property must pass a fire safety inspection annually.

Penalties3 rules

Pigeon Forge enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation to Municipal Court. Second offense: Permit revocation for 12 months. Third offense: Permanent permit revocation. Daily fine: $50.00 per day. Maximum fine: $50.00 per day (Tennessee state cap). Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Pigeon Forge: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Pigeon Forge exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Pigeon Forge, TN: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Pigeon Forge?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Pigeon Forge?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Pigeon Forge?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Pigeon Forge?

5Are short-term rentals allowed in Pigeon Forge?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Pigeon Forge?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Pigeon Forge?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Pigeon Forge?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Pigeon Forge?

5Are short-term rentals allowed in Pigeon Forge?

Disclaimer