rustic multi-level timber and log cabin with wraparound decks in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

STR-legal

Short-term rental laws in Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg permits overnight rentals throughout its tourist-oriented zoning with a city permit and fire-safety inspection. There is no annual night cap, which is why cabin investors favor it.

Last updated 2026-05-30·Source: City of Gatlinburg Overnight Rental Permitting

The current rules

What Gatlinburg actually requires

Gatlinburg allows short-term overnight rentals across its tourist-residential and commercial zones with an Overnight Rental permit.

Requirements center on a fire-safety inspection, posted occupancy, and city/ county occupancy-tax collection — not a night cap.

The lack of a cap plus heavy Smoky Mountains demand is why projected revenue here is not adjusted down for legality.

Does it still pencil?

A $730,000 3BR at 25% down

1.58×cap-adjusted STR DSCR

Pencils — 9 STR lenders clear the floor at this ratio.

Run your Gatlinburg address

FAQ

Gatlinburg STR-law questions

Is short-term rental legal in Gatlinburg?

Gatlinburg permits overnight rentals throughout its tourist-oriented zoning with a city permit and fire-safety inspection. There is no annual night cap, which is why cabin investors favor it. (Source: City of Gatlinburg Overnight Rental Permitting, as of 2026-05-30.) Always confirm current rules with the jurisdiction before purchasing.

How much does an Airbnb make in Gatlinburg?

A typical 3-bedroom projects around $86,000/yr from 24 comparable listings within 1 mi, trailing 12 months (AirROI + Rabbu comps). Revenue scales with bedroom count and amenities; lenders verify via Form 1007 or operating statements.

Do Gatlinburg lenders accept projected Airbnb income?

Yes — 9 STR-specialist lenders qualify on a market projection or a Form 1007, so you can buy before you have a rental history. Run the address to see which clear your DSCR.

Will the rules in Gatlinburg change?

Likely — STR ordinances are moving city by city in 2026. This page was last checked 2026-05-30; we re-check on a monthly minimum and on ordinance events. Confirm the current rule with Gatlinburg before closing.

Can I get a DSCR loan on an Airbnb with no rental history?

Yes. 9 of the 10 STR lenders we track qualify the loan on a market revenue projection (AirDNA/Rabbu) or an appraiser’s Form 1007 short-term-rent schedule, so no operating history is required for many programs.

What DSCR do STR lenders require?

Most set a floor around 1.0 on the cap-adjusted DSCR (revenue ÷ PITIA). Some offer no-ratio or sub-1.0 STR programs at a premium for thinner deals. The engine shows your ratio against each lender’s specific floor.

How current is this information?

Revenue and rate figures render from the data layer with an “as of” date; STR legality is re-checked on a monthly minimum and on ordinance events, because stale legality is worse than none. Every status shows when it was last checked and a source to verify.

Gatlinburg feasibility All cities STR → MTR pivot

Legality: Short-term-rental rules change frequently and vary by city, county, and HOA. Legality shown reflects publicly available sources as of the date displayed; it is not legal advice or a permitting determination. Confirm current rules, permits, and HOA/condo restrictions with the local jurisdiction before purchasing.

Revenue: Projected revenue is an estimate from comparable listings and is not a forecast of your results. Lenders independently verify income, typically via appraisal (Form 1007/1008) or 12-month statements. This is not a loan decision or offer.

Run a Gatlinburg address before you buy.

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