Hamilton County Commissioners have passed a resolution introducing new regulations for Short-term Vacation Rentals

Resolution No. 724-11, amending previous Resolutions 423-27 and 423-39, establishes that STVRs cannot be owned or operated on residentially-zoned lots smaller than one acre or on agriculturally-zoned lots smaller than two acres, with a mandatory 50-foot buffer between properties, within the Unincorporated Areas of Hamilton County, Tennessee.

This resolution has been a point of contention for some time. District 11 Commissioner Joe Graham has been a vocal opponent, stating, “Justice for all. Not, you’ve got to have an acre to get justice, or not you have to have an acre and a half or two and a half acres. It’s justice for all.”

On the other hand, several commissioners commend District 7 Commissioner Lee Helton for crafting a balanced resolution. District 1 Commissioner Gene-O Shipley remarked, “I don’t have a flag, but property rights go both ways. I think what Commissioner Helton came up with was a pretty good compromise.”

District 9 Commissioner Dr. Steve Highlander echoed this sentiment, adding, “That’s what we try to do on this commission, work together. I don’t have a flag with me either, but that is the American way to work together and try to figure things out.”

Despite proposing an amendment to alter the acreage requirements, Dr. Highlander’s amendment did not pass. The resolution advanced with the support of a majority of commissioners.

Voting in favor were Commissioners Chip Baker, Lee Helton, Dr. Steve Highlander, David Sharpe, Gene-O Shipley, and Chairman Jeff Eversole. Opposing were Commissioners Greg Beck, Mike Chauncey, and Joe Graham, while District 4 Commissioner Warren Mackey was absent.

No public comments were made, and the new regulations are now part of the requirements for operating Short-term Vacation Rentals.