Overview: STR Status in Brownsville, TN

Explicit Answer: Based on the provided Haywood County Zoning Resolution documentation, there are no specific short-term rental (STR) regulations identified for Brownsville, TN or Haywood County. The document contains general zoning provisions but does not address short-term rentals as a distinct land use category.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Given the absence of specific STR regulations in the provided documentation, investors should approach STR development in Brownsville through the following steps:

1. Verify Zoning Compliance: Confirm that your proposed property is zoned for residential use and that short-term rental activities would be considered a permitted accessory use
2. Review General Zoning Requirements: Ensure compliance with all applicable residential zoning district requirements including setback, height, and density restrictions
3. Obtain Standard Business Licensing: Contact Haywood County for general business licensing requirements
4. Consult with Local Authorities: Engage directly with county planning and zoning officials to confirm no STR-specific restrictions exist

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Zoning and Land Use

• Compliance with Residential Zoning Districts: Properties must conform to the zoning district requirements (R, R-MH, FAR districts referenced in the document)
• Building Compliance: Any structures must meet International Building Code requirements as referenced in Section 1.02
• Access Requirements: Properties must abut a public street or permanent easement of at least 50 feet (Section 3.15)

Potential Permits (General)

• Building Permits: Required for any construction, alteration, or structural changes
• Sign Permits: Required for signage associated with the property (Chapter 3.08 details extensive sign regulations)
• Electrical Permits: Required for electrical work (Section 3.08 references National Electrical Code)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning Districts Analysis

The document establishes several zoning districts where residential uses are permitted:

Residential Districts (R): Primary residential areas where short-term rentals would most likely be considered Residential-Mobile Home Districts (R-MH): Designed for manufactured housing communities FAR Districts: Farm and agricultural residential areas

Key General Provisions Affecting STRs

• Non-Conforming Uses: Section 3.02 addresses properties that were legally established but may not conform to current regulations
• Accessory Uses: STRs would likely be treated as accessory uses to primary residential uses
• Parking Requirements: Section 3.09 requires 2 parking spaces per dwelling unit
• Yard Requirements: Properties must maintain required setbacks and yard dimensions

Transient Lodging Reference

The document references "Transient Lodging" in definitions (Code 15 of Standard Land Use Coding Manual) but does not provide specific regulatory framework for such uses in the provided sections.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contacts

Haywood County Planning and Zoning

• Location: Haywood County Courthouse (as referenced in Section 1.01)
• Zoning Compliance Officer: Referenced throughout document as the primary administrative authority
• Building Inspector: Responsible for sign permits and building code compliance

Board of Zoning Appeals

• Handles variances and special exceptions for zoning compliance issues
• Appears to be the appropriate body for requesting zoning interpretations or exceptions

Links to Source Pages

Primary Source Document:

• haywoodtn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Haywood-County-Zoning-Resolution-October-2020-8-2.pdf

Important Notes for Investors

1. Regulatory Gap: The provided documentation does not contain specific STR regulations, suggesting either:

   • STRs are regulated under general residential use provisions
   • No specific STR ordinances exist at the county level
   • Additional municipal regulations may exist for Brownsville city limits

2. Due Diligence Required: Investors should:

   • Contact Haywood County Planning Department directly for current STR policies
   • Verify if Brownsville city has separate STR regulations
   • Confirm state-level Tennessee regulations for short-term rentals
   • Review homeowners association restrictions if applicable

3. Compliance Framework: Without specific STR regulations, operators should ensure:

   • Full compliance with residential zoning requirements
   • Proper business licensing and tax registration
   • Adherence to general health and safety codes
   • Compliance with any applicable state-level STR requirements

This analysis indicates that Brownsville/TN operates under a relatively permissive framework for short-term rentals, with oversight primarily through general zoning and building code compliance rather than specific STR ordinances.