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CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. — Despite the reopening of Chimney Rock State Park, the village of Chimney Rock remains technically closed as local officials continue navigating storm recovery following Hurricane Helene, with the road open to “local traffic” only, per the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT). At this week’s planning board meeting, officials addressed a backlog of vacation rental permit requests and discussed critical infrastructure projects still in progress.
The July 7 meeting offered insight into the pace of recovery, as well as ongoing challenges involving short-term rentals, water access, tax registration, and compliance with a new state law targeting human trafficking. While some properties were granted conditional approvals, others remain in limbo pending proof of operational septic systems or access to water and sewer service.
While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delivered a temporary wastewater package plant last month, which is expected to remain for two years, it has not been turned on yet due to the technical steps it must first undergo. They’re hopeful it will be live by the end of July, at which point businesses could reopen.
Life in a still-recovering town
Hurricane Helene devastated Chimney Rock Village nearly 10 months ago, compromising basic infrastructure such as water lines, sewer systems, and roads. Though the popular state park has reopened, the village itself is still operating in a state of semi-recovery. Many properties are only now beginning to reapply for short-term rental permits, contingent on meeting post-disaster conditions.
Several residents expressed confusion and concern during the meeting about permitting, road access, and ongoing service outages. Officials clarified that although platforms like Airbnb and VRBO collect taxes directly, owners must still register with Rutherford County to ensure proper reporting.
Top 10 takeaways from the meeting
Two Properties Fully Approved:
134 Southside Dr. and 178 Southside Dr. were approved without conditions.
Conditional Approvals for Five Properties:
These include 137 Hickory Trail and 150 Buddy Lane, contingent on septic or sewer verification.
Water Line Still Under Construction:
A temporary line is being laid to restore service to homes on Hickory Trail and other areas.
Room Tax Confusion Persists:
Officials urged all rental owners to register with the Rutherford County Revenue Department, even if using third-party platforms.
New Human Trafficking Law in Effect:
As of July 1, all vacation rental operators must complete a training course from the NC Department of Labor within 60 days of opening or every two years if already operating.
No Annual Inspections Planned Yet:
Renewals will be required annually, but no mandatory re-inspections unless property conditions change.
Rezoning Application in the Works:
Village officials plan to pursue a rezoning of the West End parking lot from residential to commercial, potentially in tandem with a private rezoning request.
Rental Permits Are Transferable Within 3 Years:
New owners can continue to operate without reapplying, provided no structural changes are made.
DOT vs. Private Road Disputes Remain Unresolved:
Some residents raised concerns about unmaintained roads, which officials said depend on NCDOT Powell Bill boundaries.
New Training Course Could Become Mandatory on Forms:
The board is considering requiring proof of trafficking training completion in future applications.
What’s next?
With dozens of vacation rentals in regulatory limbo and ongoing infrastructure repairs, Chimney Rock Village continues to navigate a difficult recovery process. Planning officials expressed a desire to streamline compliance without overburdening property owners, but they also acknowledged the complexity of working with overlapping county, state, and platform-based systems.
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary
5 things I am watching as Chimney Rock rebuilds
Human Trafficking Law Implementation
Watch for whether the enforcement of House Bill 971 leads to improved awareness or confusion among short-term rental owners. The 60-day deadline is short for new operators.Pressure to Coordinate with County Officials
With rental platforms collecting taxes, but county officials left in the dark, expect tension over who is responsible for confirming registration. The current honor system is fragile.Infrastructure Transparency
The timeline for water and sewer repairs remains vague. Clear, public-facing updates would ease concerns for both locals and vacationers.Permitting Enforcement and Equity
If some rentals operate without permits while others comply, expect questions about fairness and potential enforcement crackdowns.Resiliency Planning and the Next Storm
As residents ask what happens next time, look for whether the town begins to formalize emergency preparedness plans—and whether funding follows.
Final thought…
These planning board meetings don’t just showcase local governance in action—they preserve history in real time. As Chimney Rock slowly recovers from a devastating storm, the stories, decisions, and voices captured now will shape how Western North Carolina remembers and rebuilds.
…and a photo of my dog
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