It depends on the size. In Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevier County, vacation rentals that exceed any one of three thresholds must have an approved fire sprinkler system: more than 3 stories, more than 5,000 gross square feet, or more than 12 occupants. If your cabin hits any single threshold, sprinklers are required.
According to the City of Gatlinburg, all tourist residences that exceed any one of these limits must have an approved sprinkler system:
Any one threshold triggers the requirement
These thresholds are independent. A 2-story, 3,000 sqft cabin that sleeps 14 still needs sprinklers because it exceeds the occupant threshold. A 4-story cabin that sleeps 8 in 2,500 sqft still needs sprinklers because it exceeds the story threshold.
According to Gatlinburg's STR regulations, the sprinkler threshold applies to properties within Gatlinburg city limits under the Tourist Residency Permit program. According to the City of Pigeon Forge Building Department, properties meeting similar thresholds (more than 5 sleeping rooms, 12+ occupants, 5,000+ sqft, or 3+ stories) are classified as R-1 (hotel/motel occupancy) and must comply with commercial safety standards including sprinklers.
According to the Sevier County Fire Marshal's checklist, properties sleeping more than 12 occupants that were built after 2016 and exceed 5,000 sqft or 3+ levels are considered commercial and require sprinklers and fire alarm systems.
| Property | Stories | Size | Sleeps | Sprinkler? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR cabin | 1 | 1,200 sqft | 6 | No |
| 4BR cabin | 2 | 2,800 sqft | 10 | No |
| 5BR cabin | 3 | 3,500 sqft | 12 | No |
| 6BR lodge | 3 | 4,200 sqft | 16 | Yes (occupants) |
| 8BR lodge | 4 | 5,500 sqft | 20 | Yes (all three) |
| 4BR chalet | 4 | 2,400 sqft | 8 | Yes (stories) |
A common source of confusion in the Smokies: does a walkout basement count as a story? Under most building codes, a basement counts as a story if more than half of its exterior wall area is above grade. Many Smoky Mountain cabins are built on hillsides with daylight/walkout basements that count as a full story, which can push a property from 2 to 3 stories and trigger the sprinkler requirement. Confirm with your local building department if you are on the boundary.
If your property has a sprinkler system, according to the Sevier County Fire Marshal's checklist, the system must be inspected annually by a company licensed in the State of Tennessee to perform fire sprinkler inspections. All deficiencies noted during the inspection must be corrected. This is a separate inspection from the annual STRU fire marshal inspection.
Gatlinburg Tourist Residency Permit Application (City of Gatlinburg)
Gatlinburg Short-Term Rental Laws: What You Need to Know (Gatlinburg Real Estate)
Pigeon Forge Business Inspections (City of Pigeon Forge)
Sevier County Fire Marshal STRU Inspection Items (Revised November 8, 2024)