The town of Signal Mountain is stepping up its efforts to identify short-term rental properties in the town and verify that owners are either following regulations established by the town or are exempt because they were operating before the regulations were passed last June.
Town officials had already begun that process when police broke up a party at a Signal Mountain vacation rental, which prompted them to speed up their efforts, said Town Manager Boyd Veal.
On Jan. 17, Signal Mountain police were called to the home at 404 South St. in Old Town when a fight was reported at the residence. They found 29 people, including at least one verified gang member, inside the home, along with drugs, stolen guns and a stolen car, said police Chief Mike Williams.
Police are investigating whether any of the party-goers were involved in the recent rash of car thefts and break-ins in the town.
At least two of the attendees had existing warrants. Some did not have ID and could not immediately be identified.
Williams, who was among the officers who responded to the house party, said this is the first incident in Signal Mountain involving illegal activity at a short-term rental.
Homeowner Bryson Curley does not have a permit from the town to operate a short-term rental, said Veal.
According to Hamilton County property records, Curley purchased the property in April 2019, prior to the town's passage of its short-term rental regulations. According to state law, the property is exempt from those regulations as long as the owner has followed all other applicable laws.
The town does not have access to that information, so the property owner must provide proof. If the owner does not provide proof or respond to the town's request, the property would then be subject to town regulations, said Veal.
The town requires all short-term rental property owners to have a permit, and it only allows rentals on owner-occupied properties. Properties that meet the grandfather provisions of the state law may not have to fully comply with those regulations if the owners provide proof of their grandfather status, he said.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.