Oak Ridge North City Council approves updated regulation on short-term rentals

Oak Ridge North City Council on Sept. 14 voted 5-1 to approve a new ordinance, effective immediately, requiring short-term rental owners to keep an updated address on file. Failure to comply with the ordinance will result in ineligibility to reapply for a permit for one year.

The background

In 2024, Oak Ridge North City Council voted to prohibit new short-term rentals and placed regulations on existing short-term rental facilities. Officials cited short-term renters’ unfamiliarity with local ordinances concerning noise and traffic.

The ordinance also regulates parking, trash collection and occupancy.

Quote of note

City Attorney Brandon Morris presented the details of the new ordinance.

“This new ordinance makes it to where if you don’t update your address on file and we send it to the address you do have on file, it’s on you to keep those things updated so the city’s not constantly chasing that down," Morris said.