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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Sevierville, though standard state and county regulations may still apply. Instead, Sevierville regulates STRs through general business licensing and zoning as Tourist Homes. Always check with the Sevierville planning and zoning department before operating a short-term rental.

What is the TOT tax rate in Sevierville?

**2%** is the privilege tax rate for short-term rentals in Sevierville. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. In addition to this, hosts must collect state sales tax and Sevier County hotel tax, bringing the total tax rate to approximately 12.75%.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Sevierville?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Sevierville, but they are regulated through zoning ordinances. Short-term rentals, classified as Tourist Homes, must comply with standard zoning regulations. Verify that your property is located in a zone that permits Tourist Homes before listing it for short-term rental use.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Sevierville?

**Operating without proper licensing** and zoning compliance in Sevierville can result in fines and legal action. You need to ensure that your property is zoned appropriately for Tourist Homes and that you have a valid business license. Failure to comply with these regulations may lead to penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Sevierville?

**No** dedicated STR permit is required, but you need a general business license to operate legally in Sevierville. Costs for business licenses vary depending on the type and size of your business. Contact the Sevierville business license department for specifics related to short-term rental operations.

Sevierville

Permissive

TennesseeUpdated Apr 14, 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 Sevierville does not have a specific short-term rental permit; instead, it regulates STRs through standard zoning (Tourist Homes) and general business licensing. Hosts must remit a total tax rate of approximately 12.75%, which includes the state sales tax, Sevier County hotel tax, and Sevierville's 2% privilege tax.

Restriction level

Severity 3

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Reporting required
No STR-specific permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Sevierville, you do not need a special 'STR Permit' like you do in many other cities. However, you must first ensure your home is located in a zone that allows 'Tourist Homes' (usually R-2 or higher). You are required to obtain a standard City Business License and register with the Finance Department to pay the monthly 2% local tax. Remember that if your property is outside city limits, you follow Sevier County rules instead.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$15

Processing time7-14 business days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify if you are inside City Limits or in the Unincorporated County; rules and tax rates differ significantly.
2Short-term rentals are classified as 'Tourist Homes' in the zoning code.
3The 2% City Privilege Tax is in addition to the 3% Sevier County Hotel/Motel tax.
4Properties in the R-1 (Low Density Residential) zone typically do not allow short-term rentals.
5Platforms like Airbnb may only remit the state and county portion of taxes; verify if you must manually pay the 2% City tax.
6State law (TN Code § 13-7-603) protects some existing rentals from new local bans, but not from licensing and tax rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Sevierville allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes, Condos, Townhomes.
Sevierville: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Sevierville does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements12 rules

Sevierville STR warning: Verify if you are inside City Limits or in the Unincorporated County; rules and tax rates differ significantly.

Application process10 rules

Sevierville STR permit - Step 3: Register for Taxes. Ensure you are registered to remit the 2% City Privilege Tax and the Sevier County 3% Hotel/Motel tax. Time: Instant.
Sevierville, TN: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Business License Application, Tax Identification Number.

Fees & costs1 rule

Sevierville charges a registration fee of $15 (one_time).

Taxes5 rules

Sevierville: Platforms like Airbnb may only remit the state and county portion of taxes; verify if you must manually pay the 2% City tax.
Sevierville: The 2% City Privilege Tax is in addition to the 3% Sevier County Hotel/Motel tax.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Sevierville: Verify if you are inside City Limits or in the Unincorporated County; rules and tax rates differ significantly.
Sevierville limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Sevierville enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Sevierville requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties1 rule

Sevierville enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by general code violation. Daily fine: $50. Maximum fine: $50 per day.

Exemptions3 rules

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

Sevierville

Permissive

TennesseeUpdated Apr 14, 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 3

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Reporting required
No STR-specific permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$15

Processing time7-14 business days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify if you are inside City Limits or in the Unincorporated County; rules and tax rates differ significantly.
2Short-term rentals are classified as 'Tourist Homes' in the zoning code.
3The 2% City Privilege Tax is in addition to the 3% Sevier County Hotel/Motel tax.
4Properties in the R-1 (Low Density Residential) zone typically do not allow short-term rentals.
5Platforms like Airbnb may only remit the state and county portion of taxes; verify if you must manually pay the 2% City tax.
6State law (TN Code § 13-7-603) protects some existing rentals from new local bans, but not from licensing and tax rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Sevierville allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes, Condos, Townhomes.
Sevierville: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Sevierville does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements12 rules

Sevierville STR warning: Verify if you are inside City Limits or in the Unincorporated County; rules and tax rates differ significantly.

Application process10 rules

Sevierville STR permit - Step 3: Register for Taxes. Ensure you are registered to remit the 2% City Privilege Tax and the Sevier County 3% Hotel/Motel tax. Time: Instant.
Sevierville, TN: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Business License Application, Tax Identification Number.

Fees & costs1 rule

Sevierville charges a registration fee of $15 (one_time).

Taxes5 rules

Sevierville: Platforms like Airbnb may only remit the state and county portion of taxes; verify if you must manually pay the 2% City tax.
Sevierville: The 2% City Privilege Tax is in addition to the 3% Sevier County Hotel/Motel tax.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Sevierville: Verify if you are inside City Limits or in the Unincorporated County; rules and tax rates differ significantly.
Sevierville limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Sevierville enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Sevierville requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties1 rule

Sevierville enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by general code violation. Daily fine: $50. Maximum fine: $50 per day.

Exemptions3 rules

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

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Sevierville?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Sevierville?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Sevierville?

5How much does an STR permit cost in Sevierville?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Sevierville?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Sevierville?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Sevierville?

5How much does an STR permit cost in Sevierville?

Disclaimer