Board denies short-term rental permit for 'The Tiny Oak' at 215 W. Lewis St.

The Four Oaks Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on June 15 to deny a special-use permit that would have allowed a short-term rental at 215 W. Lewis St., a property the applicants have branded "The Tiny Oak." Town Administrator Barry Stanley presented the application and described the required public-notice steps: a notice in the Four Oaks-Benson News in Review, a sign placed May 29, 2026, and letters mailed to 43 property owners within a 500-foot radius.

Planning Board Chair Vic Medlin told the board the Planning Board had unanimously recommended approval with a stipulation that any change in ownership require a return to the Board. Medlin said the current owners are local and "intend to be actively involved with the property," but he also noted a need for clearer language defining "short-term" in the Unified Development Ordinance and acknowledged neighborhood concerns about potential nuisance use.

Applicants Jonathan and Wendy Huff described the unit as small and intended for short stays by small families. "This house is very tiny, SO it will be limited to small families for short periods of time. This will not be a party house," the applicants said. Mayor Pro-Tem Tony Capps supported limiting any approval to 18 months to allow alignment with the forthcoming UDO but ultimately moved to deny based on the board's findings. Attorney Chip Hewett guided the board through the required four findings of fact; two findings were approved and two were denied, and on that basis the board denied the permit.

The denial means the property cannot operate as a short-term rental under the requested special use at this time. The Planning Board's recommendation, the applicants' stated rules for the property, and the board's decision leave open the possibility the applicants could reapply or seek approval once the UDO is adopted or if they present revised terms, but no fee waiver or appeal timeline was specified in the decision.