News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Baxter Planning Commission is considering a ban on vacation rentals like air bnbs in subdivisions.
Commission members said they did not know of any vacation rentals currently located in subdivisions, but wanted to get out ahead of a potential problem. Codes Director and Building Inspector Bob Lane said vacation rentals work fine.
“Air BnBs sometimes work great,” Lane said. “There’s never a problem, but sometimes it is a problem. They party and a lot of cars and that type thing, and that’s just a little disruptive in a neighborhood. That’s what we’re trying to prevent.”
He said the ordinance remains in the planning stages. Lane said it could be several months before the Planning Commission considers specific language. Lane said he believes there are several vacation rentals operating in and around Baxter.
“A subdivision is not set up for an Air BnB, it’s not set up for short-term rentals,” Lane said. “It’s set up for family or somebody to live there. I think its unfair to maybe to go in and disturb that. That wasn’t the purpose of a subdivision. We’re going to allow Air BnBs we’re just going to be a little more restrictive where they’re at.”
Several Tennessee communities are considering new rules for vacation rentals.
“Right now we don’t have a permitting system or anything,” Lane said. “Anybody can just go do one anywhere. It’s not giving the protection that the city needs to offer to the existing people.”
