Person County clarifies short‑term rental definitions, says event hosting is separate permitting issue
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
The board approved text amendments adding a 'lodging unit' definition and clarifying that whole-house short‑term rentals are not regulated as a land‑use; staff and residents also discussed a recent large party at a Timberlake property that would be handled through an event‑center permit or public‑safety enforcement.
Person County commissioners on Nov. 3 approved text amendments (TA‑10‑25) to the planning ordinance that add definitions for "lodging unit," "bed and breakfast" and clarify that whole-house short‑term rentals are not regulated under the county’s land‑use ordinance in the same manner as commercial lodging uses.
Planning Director Margaret told the board the changes respond to questions raised during the Unified Development Ordinance review and aim to distinguish transient lodging situations from permanent dwelling units. The amendment also clarifies that small-scale bed-and-breakfast operations could be handled as a home-occupation permit in some districts, while larger event activity is a separate "event center" use.
During the public hearing two residents, Maureen McQuay and Wendy Gentry of Timberlake, described recurring, large parties at a nearby property (2510 Berry Pierce Road), reporting heavy traffic, noise, a crash, and difficulty for first responders to reach the scene. Gentry said organizers used ticketed promotion and that the gatherings have been widely reported in local media; McQuay cited property damage and animal safety concerns from loud events.
Margaret and commissioners clarified that the short‑term rental text amendment would not authorize or regulate large events and that an event center requires a separate special‑use permit in residential districts. The county manager said staff had reviewed online promotion of the Berry Pierce property and believed it appears to be operating as a commercial event center; he advised neighbors to report zoning concerns so code enforcement can investigate.
Quotes: "The lodging units and short term rentals implies a family coming to stay to sleep on the premises," Margaret said, adding that the planning board specifically excluded events from the short‑term rental definition. Resident Wendy Gentry told the board, "These parties are blocking our roadways where first responders cannot get through."
What happens next: The ordinance language was adopted; any property operating as an event center in a residential district must apply for the appropriate permit and is subject to code-enforcement review.
Sources: Planning Director Margaret presentation and public comments by Maureen McQuay and Wendy Gentry; county manager clarification.