City Speaks on Vacation Rental Ordinance

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The city of Chattanooga is discussing the new ordinance on short term vacation rentals. 

These are properties that visitors can rent off of apps like AirBnb and Vrbo.

(from City of Chattanooga)

The new rules, which will go in effect on July 10th, limits where these rentals can go in neighborhoods while allowing them in commercial zones.

The city says that this ordinance is necessary to protect the character of neighborhoods and the privacy of residents in them while still allowing for growth in Chattanooga’s tourism industry.

Chris Anderson, a senior legislative assistant for the city, said, “The mayor’s office and the city council engaged the community including the industry for 13 months in many, many public discussions. What we passed, and the council approved, is a compromised bill that hopefully will work for everyone, but I understand some in the industry want no regulations at all, and we can’t have that.”

Hamilton County is still discussing their own potential regulations on this topic.

There is a group of property owners who oppose this legislation.

We have reached out for comment but have not yet heard back.