(Based on the ordinances and official city publications provided)

1. Executive Summary – Are STRs Allowed?

Yes – short‑term residential rentals (rentals of 29 days or less) are permitted in Cherokee Village, AR, but only under a city‑issued Privilege (Business) License and in full compliance with the local “Short‑Term Residential Rentals Controls” ordinance (Ordinance 2020‑04) and the city’s Advertising & Promotion (A&P) tax rules.

Investors must obtain the license, keep a local contact if they are non‑resident, post the license number on all advertising, pay the 2 % A&P tax on gross receipts, and avoid nuisance activities that can trigger revocation or probation.

2. How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Cherokee Village

| Step | Action | Details | |------|--------|---------| | 2.1 | Confirm you are inside city limits | Cherokee Village spans portions of Sharp County and Fulton County. Verify the property’s legal address on the city’s GIS map or with the City Clerk. | | 2.2 | Determine licensing approach | Every STR unit requires a Privilege License (the city’s business license). If you own multiple units, list all STR addresses on a single application. | | 2.3 | Identify a Local Contact (if non‑resident) | Owners who do not reside in Cherokee Village must designate a local contact person who can be served legal papers, handle guest issues, and act as an agent for the city. | | 2.4 | Gather required documentation (see Section 3) | Completed application form, proof of solid‑waste collection fees, etc. | | 2.5 | Submit the application & fee | Deliver to the City Clerk (see Section 6 for contact). The license fee is set by city council resolution; the amount is not listed in the ordinances but can be obtained from the clerk. | | 2.6 | Receive the Privilege License | Once approved, you will be issued a license number. You must post this number on every advertisement (online listings, flyers, etc.). | | 2.7 | Register for the 2 % Advertising & Promotion (A&P) Tax | All STRs renting ≤30 days are subject to the tax. Register with the city, collect the tax monthly, and remit using the CV A&P Tax Collection & Reporting Form (see Section 5). | | 2.8 | Maintain compliance | • Keep the license current.<br>• Post the license number on all ads.<br>• Pay A&P tax by the 10th of the month following the tax period.<br>• Ensure the property does not become a nuisance (noise, trash, illegal parking). | | 2.9 | Stay informed | Review the city’s ordinance updates (see Ordinance 2020‑04) and attend A&P Commission meetings (4th Thursday, 3 pm, City Hall) for tax and policy changes. |

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

| Requirement | What Must Be Provided | Governing Ordinance / Rule | |-------------|----------------------|----------------------------| | Privilege (Business) License Application | • Owner’s name, address, phone number.<br>• List of all STR addresses owned in the city.<br>• If owner is non‑resident: name, address, phone of local contact person (who may serve as agent for service of process).<br>• Completed application with any required attachments. | Section II of Ordinance 2020‑04 | | Proof of Solid‑Waste Collection Fees | Evidence that the solid‑waste collection service fees have been paid for each rental unit. | Section II F of Ordinance 2020‑04 | | A&P Tax Registration | Completed A&P tax registration (usually part of the business license or separate form from the A&P Commission). | A&P Ordinance (2013‑03) & 2020‑04 Section III | | Posting of License Number | License number must appear on all online and print advertising (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO, flyers). | Section V of Ordinance 2020‑04 | | Annual / Periodic License Renewal | Licenses are renewed annually; fee set by council resolution. (Exact amount not listed; ask the clerk.) | Section IV | | Adherence to Zoning, Building, and Safety Codes | All applicable city building and zoning ordinances apply (e.g., fire safety, occupancy limits). (Zoning Ordinance 2017‑04, 2024‑01) | City Zoning & Building Ordinances | | Nuisance & Enforcement Compliance | No criminal activity, repeated loud‑noise complaints, trash/debris, or illegal parking. | Section VI of Ordinance 2020‑04 |

4. City‑Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals

4.1 Licensing & Operation (Ordinance 2020‑04)

| Regulation | Detail | |------------|--------| | License Required | Operating any short‑term rental without a city‑issued Privilege License is unlawful. | | Owner Contact | Non‑resident owners must provide a local contact who can be reached and act as the city’s agent. | | Penalties for Non‑Compliance | Violations are subject to a fine of $100 – $500 per day; each day of illegal operation constitutes a separate offense. | | License Revocation / Probation | The Mayor (or designee) may revoke the license or place the owner on probation if the property is deemed a nuisance. | | Nuisance Criteria | • Criminal activity on the premises.<br>• Repeated loud‑noise complaints.<br>• Trash/debris left on the property.<br>• Parking cars in yards, grass, or in a manner that impedes traffic. | | Appeal Process | Owner may appeal revocation to the City Council within 10 days. The Council holds a hearing, and decisions can be appealed to the Sharp County Circuit Court. | | Post‑Revocation Ban | No STR license may be issued to the same owner for three (3) years following revocation. |

4.2 Advertising & Promotion (A&P) Tax (Ordinance 2013‑03, 2020‑04)

| Tax | Rate | Applicability | Remittance | |-----|------|---------------|------------| | Advertising & Promotion Tax | 2 % of gross receipts | Applies to all lodging rentals of 30 days or less (hotels, motels, houses, cabins, B&Bs, campgrounds, condos, etc.) | Collected by the business and paid monthly to the City of Cherokee Village (using the CV A&P Tax Collection & Reporting Form). | | Registration | Must register for the tax when applying for the business license. | The A&P Commission oversees collection and use of funds. | | Penalties | Late or non‑payment may result in fines per city revenue enforcement procedures. | – |

4.3 Nuisance & Public‑Safety Ordinances

| Ordinance | Relevance | |-----------|-----------| | Noise & Open Burning (2023‑04) | Establishes limits on noise and burning; violations can be cited under the STR nuisance provisions. | | Trash & Solid Waste (2020‑02, 2015‑01) | Requires proper waste collection; owners must keep premises clean. | | Parking & Traffic (2008‑01) | Prohibits parking on yards or grass; repeated violations can trigger nuisance enforcement. | | Zoning (2024‑01) | Defines permissible land uses; STRs must comply with zoning designations (e.g., residential vs. commercial). |

5. County & State‑Level Context

• County: Cherokee Village lies within Sharp County (and a small portion in Fulton County). The city’s ordinances are the primary source of STR regulation; the county does not appear to impose additional licensing requirements on STRs beyond those of the city.

• State of Arkansas: The 2 % A&P tax is authorized by Arkansas Code Annotated § 26‑75‑605 et seq., which allows municipalities to levy such taxes for tourism promotion. No statewide STR registration or safety‑code requirements were identified in the provided material.

• Reference: For a broader overview of Arkansas short‑term‑rental regulations, see the Proper Insurance state‑by‑state guide (though it does not add city‑specific rules for Cherokee Village).

6. Local Authority Contact Information

| Department / Entity | Phone | Email | Physical / Mailing Address | Website | |---------------------|-------|-------|---------------------------|---------| | Cherokee Village City Hall – Clerk’s Office (License issuance, ordinance questions) | (870) 257‑5522 | cvclerk@cherokeevillage.gov <br> cityhall@cherokeevillage.gov | Mailing: PO Box 129, Cherokee Village, AR 72525 <br> Physical: 2 Santee Dr., Cherokee Village, AR 72529 | <www.cherokeevillage.gov/cherokee-village-arkansas-ordinances.html> | | Cherokee Village Advertising & Promotion Commission (A&P tax, registration) | (870) 257‑5522 x234 (Tourist Info & Welcome Center) | Contact via the A&P Commission page (no direct email listed). | Same as City Hall (Tourist Center located at City Hall). | <www.discovercherokeevillage.com/contact/> | | Sharp County Circuit Court (Appeals of license revocation) | (870) 994‑7361 | – | 100 East College St., Hardy, AR 72542 | <www.arcourts.org/County-Courts/Sharp-County> | | Police Department (Non‑Emergency) | (870) 257‑5225 | – | Same as City Hall | – | | Fire Department (Non‑Emergency) | (870) 257‑2304 | – | Same as City Hall | – |

7. Source Documents & Links

| Document | Link | |----------|------| | Short‑Term Residential Rentals Controls – Ordinance 2020‑04 (PDF) | <www.cherokeevillage.gov/cherokee-village-arkansas-ordinances_13_3113607428.pdf> | | City Ordinances Listing ( Ordinance 2020‑04 linked ) | <www.cherokeevillage.gov/cherokee-village-arkansas-ordinances.html> | | Advertising & Promotion Commission Page (tax info, forms, contacts) | <www.discovercherokeevillage.com/contact/> | | CV A&P Tax Collection & Reporting Form (PDF) | <www.discovercherokeevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CV-AP.-Tax-Collection-Reporting-Form-1.pdf> | | Arkansas State STR Overview (Proper Insurance – not a city source, but provides state context) | <www.proper.insure/regulations/airbnb-laws-arkansas/> | | City Zoning Ordinance 2024‑01 (referenced for STR location compliance) | <www.cherokeevillage.gov/cherokee-village-arkansas-ordinances_57_506226870.pdf> | | Solid‑Waste Collection Ordinance (2020‑02) – shows fee‑payment requirement | <www.cherokeevillage.gov/cherokee-village-arkansas-ordinances_13_919934116.pdf> | | Noise & Open Burning Ordinance (2023‑04) | <www.cherokeevillage.gov/cherokee-village-arkansas-ordinances_6_2269978539.pdf> |

8. Practical Checklist for a New STR Investor

• [ ] Confirm the property address is inside Cherokee Village city limits.
• [ ] Draft a list of all STR properties you own in the city.
• [ ] Designate a local contact (if you are not a Cherokee Village resident).
• [ ] Collect proof of solid‑waste collection fees (current bill statements).
• [ ] Complete the Privilege License application (available from the City Clerk).
• [ ] Submit the application with the required fee (ask the clerk for the current amount).
• [ ] Once the license is issued, record the license number and post it on every advertisement (Airbnb, VRBO, Facebook, printed flyers, etc.).
• [ ] Register for the 2 % A&P tax and set up a monthly remittance process.
• [ ] Establish a guest‑policy that addresses noise, trash, parking, and any other nuisance concerns.
• [ ] Monitor guest behavior and keep records of complaints or incidents (they could trigger revocation).
• [ ] Attend A&P Commission meetings (4th Thursday, 3 pm) to stay current on any tax or policy changes.
• [ ] Keep license renewals and tax remittances up‑to‑date to avoid penalties.

9. Key Takeaways

1. STRs are legal in Cherokee Village but must obtain a city Privilege (Business) License.
2. All rentals ≤30 days are subject to a 2 % A&P tax collected monthly by the city.
3. Compliance is actively enforced – fines ($100–$500