Everything you need to know about the City of Gatlinburg's Tourist Residency permit — eligibility zones, fees, the application process, and what separates a TR permit from a Sevier County STRU permit.
The City of Gatlinburg, Tennessee requires all properties rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days within city limits to hold a Tourist Residency (TR) Permit. This is a city-issued permit — entirely separate from the Sevier County STRU permit — and only applies to properties physically inside Gatlinburg's municipal boundaries.
Gatlinburg has been regulating short-term rentals far longer than many Tennessee jurisdictions. The TR permit program predates the county's STRU launch by several years, reflecting the city's status as one of the most visited destinations in the Southeast. Roughly 1,200–1,500 TR permits are active in Gatlinburg at any given time.
This is the most common reason applications are denied. Tourist Residency permits are not available in R-1A or R-2A residential zones. If your property is zoned R-1A or R-2A, you cannot get a TR permit regardless of what the previous owner told you or what your property manager assumed. Verify your zoning before purchasing a property if you intend to rent it short-term.
TR permits are available in the following Gatlinburg zones (verify current ordinance — zones do get amended):
Again: R-1A and R-2A zones are explicitly excluded. Always check the city's current zoning map. Contact Gatlinburg's Building and Zoning Department at (865) 436-1472 to verify your parcel's zone before applying.
Look up your parcel at the Gatlinburg city zoning portal or call (865) 436-1472. Confirm you are in city limits (not unincorporated Sevier County) and in an eligible zone.
Applications are available at Gatlinburg City Hall, 1 Municipal Drive, or online at gatlinburg.com. You'll need the property address, owner information, contact person for guest emergencies, maximum occupancy, and number of bedrooms.
Required: current proof of property ownership, certificate of insurance showing vacation rental / short-term rental coverage with at least $300,000 liability, and the completed application form. Some applications require a floor plan showing bedroom count and sleeping areas.
The base fee is $200 for properties with 1–2 bedrooms. Each additional bedroom beyond the second adds $75. A four-bedroom cabin would pay $200 + (2 × $75) = $350. Fees are paid to the City of Gatlinburg Finance Department.
Gatlinburg requires a life safety inspection before issuing a TR permit. The Gatlinburg Fire Department conducts these inspections. Requirements mirror Sevier County: smoke detectors in all bedrooms, CO detectors where required, fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and proper egress from all sleeping areas.
Your TR permit number must appear in all advertising, including Airbnb and VRBO listings. Gatlinburg Code Enforcement monitors listing platforms and will issue notices to properties advertising without a valid permit number.
| Bedrooms | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 1–2 bedrooms | $200 |
| 3 bedrooms | $275 |
| 4 bedrooms | $350 |
| 5 bedrooms | $425 |
| 6 bedrooms | $500 |
| 7+ bedrooms | $500 + $75/additional |
| Factor | Gatlinburg TR Permit | Sevier County STRU |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | City of Gatlinburg | Sevier County |
| Applies to | Properties inside Gatlinburg city limits | Unincorporated county only |
| Zone restrictions | Yes (R-1A and R-2A excluded) | No zone restrictions currently |
| Base fee | $200 (1–2 BR) | $250 (≤12 occupants) |
| Inspection required | Yes — Gatlinburg Fire Dept. | Yes — Sevier County Fire Marshal |
| Inspection by | Gatlinburg Fire Department | Sevier County Fire Marshal |
| Permit transferable | No | No |
| Number in listing required | Yes | Yes |
Holding a TR permit does not cover your tax obligations. Gatlinburg STR hosts must separately register to collect and remit:
Verify with your platform whether it handles tax collection in Sevier County/Gatlinburg. Even if platforms remit taxes, you must still register your business with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Gatlinburg Code Enforcement actively searches platforms for unlicensed listings. Enforcement actions include:
Airbnb and VRBO also cooperate with Gatlinburg's permit enforcement program and may require hosts to provide a valid TR permit number or risk listing removal.
This guide reflects publicly available information about the City of Gatlinburg's TR permit program as of 2025. Requirements and fees are subject to change by city ordinance. Always verify current requirements with the Gatlinburg Building and Zoning Department at (865) 436-1472 before applying.