Person County clarifies short-term rental rules and hears alarm over large unauthorized Berry Pierce parties

On Nov. 3, 2025, the Person County Board of Commissioners approved a text amendment to the planning ordinance clarifying definitions for lodging units, bed-and-breakfasts and short-term rentals, and heard extended public testimony about repeated large unauthorized events at a Timberlake property on Berry Pierce Road.

Planning Director Margaret told the board the amendment (TA-10-25) was intended to differentiate a lodging unit (temporary occupancy) from a dwelling unit and to clarify that short-term rental situations involving an entire dwelling would not be regulated by the county’s planning ordinance; she added that events and event centers are separate uses reviewed under a different part of the ordinance. “Short-term rental situations and lodging unit situations really aren't going to be regulated by the ordinance,” she said.

During the public comment period, neighbors described recurring large parties at 2510 Berry Pierce Road that they said drew thousands of people, blocked roads, left trash, and caused at least one crash. Timberlake resident Maureen McQuay said these gatherings damaged property and frightened animals. “I can hear it a mile and a half away,” she said. Wendy Gentry told commissioners the events involved buses, overwhelmed first responders and repeated 911 complaints; she asked officials to review 911 logs, toxicity reports and other incident documentation.

Ollie Jeffers of Mothers Against Drunk Driving described the event as an “oil spill”–themed party that was heavily promoted on social media and that, in his account, exceeded the capacity of any ticketing or safety plan. “There was no way you could have control of this event,” Jeffers said, urging the county to require stronger permitting controls for event centers and improve coordination with law enforcement.

County staff and the manager said the Berry Pierce site appears from public information to be operating as a commercial event center in a residential zoning district and that such an operation would require a special-use permit and public review. The manager urged residents to report zoning concerns to the planning director for code enforcement. Commissioners directed the county manager to work with the incoming planning director on stronger measures to prevent similar incidents.

The board approved TA-10-25 by voice vote and asked staff to explore enforcement and policy options related to large gatherings and event centers.