Section 13-7-604 - Prohibition of continued use of property as short-term rental unit based on violations - Authorization of short-term rental units through permitting or application process(a) Section 13-7-603 does not prevent a local governing body from prohibiting the continued use of property as a short-term rental unit if, as a direct result of the operation of the short-term rental unit, the unit has been in violation of a generally applicable local law three (3) or more separate times, and the provider has no appeal rights remaining for any of the three (3) violations. The burden of proof that a violation of a generally applicable local law was a direct result of the operation of the short-term rental unit is on the local governing body.(b)(1) The local governing body may authorize short-term rental units through a permitting or application process.(2) Notwithstanding this part to the contrary, a local governing body that authorizes short-term rental units through a permitting or application process pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) may suspend the continued use of property as provided in § 13-7-603(a) during the time that the unit does not maintain a permit or approved application if the permitting or application requirements are reasonable.(3) Nothing in this subsection (b) extinguishes a provider's right to continued use of property as a short-term rental unit set out in § 13-7-603(a) unless the property is sold, transferred, ceases being used as a short-term rental unit for a period of thirty (30) continuous months, or has been in violation of a generally applicable local law three (3) or more separate times as provided by subsection (a).(c) A local governing body that accepts public complaints regarding the operation of short-term rental units in its jurisdiction pursuant to a permitting or application process shall assure that all complainants are notified that any false complaint made against a short-term rental unit provider are punishable as perjury under § 39-16-702.(d) If a local governing body prohibits, effectively prohibits, suspends, or otherwise regulates property used as a short-term rental unit that is also subject to § 13-7-603(a), the provider may challenge the prohibition, regulation, suspension, or regulation as in conflict with this part through a civil action or appeal. The circuit or chancery court has jurisdiction of any appeal instituted by a provider pursuant to this subsection (d) and review is de novo.Added by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 972,s 1, eff. 5/17/2018.