Hamilton County Commissioners Pass Resolution to Add Regulations to Short-Term Vacation Rental Rules

The Hamilton County Commission adopted Resolution No. 724-11 amending the Short-term Vacation Rental (“STVR”) regulations adopted by Resolutions No. 423-27 and 423-39 to prohibit the possession and use of such properties on lots less than one acre in size on residential zoning and less than two acres in size on agricultural zoning (with a minimum 50-foot buffer) in unincorporated areas of Hamilton County, Tennessee.

It was a long discussion in the commission meetings. District 11 Commissioner Joe Graham was the most adamant in opposing the resolution.

“Justice for all. No, you have to have an acre to get justice, or no, you have to have an acre and a half or two and a half acres. It’s justice for all,” Graham said.

Other commissioners believe District 7 Commissioner Lee Helton effectively wrote the resolution that represented both sides of the dispute.

“I don’t have a flag, but property rights are mutual. I think what Commissioner Helton proposed was a pretty good compromise,” said District 1 Commissioner Gene-O Shipley.

“That’s what we try to do on this commission, work together. I don’t have a flag with me either, but that’s the American way of working together and trying to solve problems,” said District 9 Commissioner Dr. Steve Highlander.

Dr. Highlander offered an amendment to change the land area requirements, but it was not accepted on the committee floor. The resolution was passed with sufficient support from the commissioners.

Commissioners Chip Baker, Lee Helton, Dr. Steve Highlander, David Sharpe, Gene-O Shipley and Chairman Jeff Eversole voted yes. Commissioners Greg Beck, Mike Chauncey and Joe Graham voted no. District 4 Commissioner Warren Mackey was absent.

There were no public comments; it has now been added to the list of requirements for operating a short-term vacation rental.