Building a new rental cabin in unincorporated Sevier County means two tracks: the building permit for the structure, and the short-term rental permit to operate it. Here's the order, from the county's own published steps.
Step 1: Before the building permit
Sevier County Building Inspections requires several documents before it will issue a building permit (Sevier Building):
- Environmental health approval (septic).
- Zoning compliance.
- A floor plan.
- Contractor information.
The county builds to the 2018 International Residential Code, and online permitting runs through MGO Connect (Sevier Building; SCFMO).
Step 2: Construction inspections
A typical residential inspection sequence includes (Sevier Building):
- Footings.
- Under-slab plumbing.
- Rough-in framing.
- Rough-in plumbing.
- Energy (including HVAC and gas pipe).
- Final.
Property lines must be marked for the footing inspection. Your permit lists the specific inspections for your project.
Step 3: Certificate of occupancy
The Fire Marshal's new-build steps tell owners to confirm with the Building Inspection department that the rental meets its certificate-of-occupancy requirements. A copy of the CO goes with the STR application (SCFMO).
Step 4: The short-term rental permit
For a new build, the county's steps are (SCFMO):
- Complete the STR permit application.
- Check the property against the county's STRU inspection items list.
- Email the Fire Marshal's Office with photos showing compliance, a copy of the application, a copy of the certificate of occupancy, and a note that this is a first-time application for a new build. Put the property address in the subject line.
- Check business license requirements with the County Trustee, and confirm with the Property Assessor that the property is listed as a rental.
The permit costs $250 a year for 12 or fewer occupants, is valid for 12 months, and renews with an on-site inspection. Operating without a permit can bring a $50-per-day penalty (SCFMO).
Where a plan set helps
The floor plan is a permit prerequisite. The STR inspection asks for alarms, extinguishers, evacuation maps and outdoor clearances that are easiest to plan on paper. STR-Ready plan sets include both, so the drawing your builder uses for the permit is the same one that gets you through the rental inspection.
Cities such as Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have their own offices and rules. This guide covers unincorporated Sevier County. Confirm current requirements with the county before you start.