What Sevier County requires
Tennessee does not have a state-level fire extinguisher mandate for one- and two-family vacation rentals. However, every major STR market in the state requires them through municipal permit programs. According to the Sevier County Fire Marshal's STRU inspection checklist (revised November 2024), a fire extinguisher having a minimum rating of 2A:10BC is required on every level of the unit.
Fire extinguisher ratings tell you what types and sizes of fires the unit can handle. The 2A:10BC rating required in Sevier County breaks down as follows:
The standard 5 lb. ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher available at any hardware store (typically $25-$50) meets the 2A:10BC minimum. Check the label before purchasing: some smaller units are rated 1A:10BC, which does not meet the Sevier County requirement.
According to the Sevier County Fire Marshal's checklist, fire extinguishers must be inspected and tagged on a yearly basis by a certified fire extinguisher company. If a new extinguisher was purchased during the current year, a copy of the purchase receipt must be available at inspection. The following year and beyond, the extinguisher must be certified and tagged by a professional.
This is different from the monthly visual inspection that NFPA 10 recommends. The annual tagging must be performed by a certified company, not by the property owner or manager. Several fire protection companies in the Sevier County area offer annual tagging services for STR properties.
According to the Sevier County checklist, if a fire extinguisher is stored behind a closet door or cabinet door, a sticker or label reading "Fire Extinguisher Inside" must be on the door or cabinet. This is a commonly failed item during inspections because owners place extinguishers in closets for aesthetic reasons but forget the labeling.
Fire extinguisher verification
Guests occasionally move fire extinguishers to make room for luggage or use them as doorstops. After a checkout, verify that each unit is in its designated location and the pressure gauge reads green.
Full reference Tennessee Vacation Rental Fire Safety Requirements (2026) Full checklist Sevier County STRU Fire Inspection ChecklistSevier County Fire Marshal STRU Inspection Items (Revised November 8, 2024)