Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Pigeon Forge Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Overnight rentals (daily to weekly) cannot be in an R-1 (Low-Density Residential) District. See Chapter 511 Short-Term Rentals in the R-1 Zone for eligibility and requirements. Short-term rentals are allowed in the R-2 (High-Density Residential) and all commercial districts with minimal restrictions. See Zoning Map for more information.Business License Requirements
There are three types of Short-Term Rentals:- Owner Occupied - This type of permit is available to owners who utilize the property as their principal residence, except in the instance of duplexes. A person can only hold one (1) Owner Occupied Operating Permit in the City and is only available to natural persons. The owner is not required to remain or be present at the Short-term Rental Unit during the period when it is used as a short-term rental.
- Non-Owner Occupied - This type of Permit is available to an owner or lessee of the property, a natural person, or a business entity.
- Unoccupied- This type of permit is available to a non-occupant owner of premises where the premises are only occupied when used as a Short-term Rental Unit and are available to natural persons and business entities.
Building and Housing Standards
Pigeon Forge has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult Community Development for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
All Short-term Rental Unit Operators are responsible for applicable taxes, including, but not limited to, Hotel Occupancy Privilege Tax, local option sales tax, gross receipts tax to the City, sales tax to the State of Tennessee, and gross receipts tax to the State of Tennessee.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Pigeon Forge for more informationIs something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating4.7
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Competition
2.0 -
Real Estate Cost
5.8 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
4.0 -
Rental Rates
7.8
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 6,266
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Sevier
- Airports
- Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT)
- McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
Want to learn more about Pigeon Forge?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Pigeon Forge rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Pigeon Forge rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Pigeon Forge.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Pigeon Forge guests.
Interested in other Tennessee cities?
Check out the Tennessee Airbnb rules directory
What makes Pigeon Forge a great place to invest?
- Dollywood: Immerse yourself in the magic of Dolly Parton's famous theme park, where thrilling rides, spectacular live shows, and Southern hospitality combine to create an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Lose yourself in the breathtaking beauty of America's most visited national park. Enjoy scenic hikes, observe native wildlife, and marvel at cascading waterfalls – all in the stunning backdrop of the majestic Smoky Mountains.
- The Island in Pigeon Forge: Discover endless entertainment at this vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. Take a spin on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel for panoramic views, sample mouth-watering cuisine, and enjoy lively entertainment options for all ages.
- Outdoor Adventures: Satisfy your adventurous spirit with a wide range of outdoor activities, such as ziplining, white-water rafting, and horseback riding. The surrounding mountains provide the perfect playground for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike.
- Titanic Museum Attraction: Step back in time as you explore this impressive museum, where you'll uncover the tragic history of the Titanic through interactive exhibits and authentic artifacts. The museum's iconic replica of the ship's grand staircase adds a touch of elegance to your journey through history.
- LeConte Center: Home to major events and conventions, the LeConte Center is a versatile space that hosts a variety of performances, sporting events, and conferences. Check their calendar to see what exciting events coincide with your visit to Pigeon Forge.
Pigeon Forge Nearby Cities
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3 miles away
- Rating: 5.5
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6 miles away
- Rating: 5.5
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Pigeon Forge?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Pigeon Forge has decreased -16% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $348, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$499,812
-16% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$348
-13% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Pigeon Forge
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Common terms for Pigeon Forge short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Pigeon Forge has a description approximately 2,534 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 15,112 listings in Pigeon Forge, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Cabin, Hot tub, Smoky Mountain, Pigeon Forge, Game, Deck, Pool, Gatlinburg, Sleeper, and Relax.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Pigeon Forge?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Pigeon Forge involve Hiking, Theme Parks, Outlet Shopping, Water Parks, and Horseback Riding. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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Theme Parks
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Outlet Shopping
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Water Parks
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Horseback Riding
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Museums
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Adventure Activities
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Wildlife Viewing
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Winery Tours
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Mountain Biking
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Antiquing
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Rafting
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Pigeon Forge, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Dollywood, Island at Pigeon Forge, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, and Titanic Museum. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Dollywood
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Island at Pigeon Forge
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Wild Bear Falls Indoor Water Park
Included on most listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Included on most listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Included on most listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
Included on most listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park
Included on 90% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Dollywood's Splash Country
Included on 84% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Titanic Museum
Included on 84% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge
Included on 84% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction
Included on 82% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Gatlinburg Space Needle
Included on 74% of listings
What’s the weather like in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 69°, while the average low is about 50°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 43 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 3 inches per year. The humidity levels in Pigeon Forge are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
34° Low 51° High
Spring
March through May
48° Low 70° High
Summer
June through August
66° Low 85° High
Fall
September through November
50° Low 71° High
Cities Near Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is located in Sevier County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
