County to Implement New Operating Policies, Center View Multipurpose Convenience Center to Reopen August 26th

Sevier County Government is announcing new operating policies for its Convenience Centers, effective August 26, 2024. These updates aim to serve Sevier County residents better and improve the overall efficiency of the eleven (11) County convenience centers.

New Operating Guidelines:

Residency Requirement: Only Sevier County residents may use County Residential Convenience Centers. Proof of residency may be required upon entering a convenience center. Acceptable methods of proof include car tags, driver's licenses, utility bills, or other government-issued IDs.
Residential Waste Only: Convenience centers are designated for residential waste disposal only. Commercial garbage and refuse must be disposed of directly at the Sevier Solid Waste, Inc. facility (1855 Ridge Road, Pigeon Forge), where a tipping fee is required, or through a subcontracted waste collection service.
5-Bag Limit: Each resident is limited to disposing of five (5) normal-sized garbage bags per day. A special residential permit program is available for residents who need to dispose of more than five (5) bags up to twice a year for events such as parties, family gatherings, or extensive cleaning. To get a permit, residents should speak with the attendant at their local convenience center before disposing of six (6) or more bags.
Bulk Waste Limit: Residential bulk waste, construction/demolition, and green waste disposal are limited to a 5' x 8' truck bed load or small trailer per day. Additional residential bulk, construction demo, and commercial waste must be taken to Sevier Solid Waste, Inc. (1855 Ridge Road, Pigeon Forge)

These new policies are designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency at the ten (10) County Residential Convenience Centers.

Center View Road Multipurpose Convenience Center

Officials with the Sevier County Department of Solid Waste Management and Services estimate approximately twenty to twenty-five (20-25) tons of garbage generated by short-term rentals are disposed of each day in the residential convenience centers across the county.

This high volume of short-term rental garbage disposed within the residential convenience centers, in addition to the already significant usage by Sevier County residents, has caused many operating issues including the early closing of convenience centers due to compactors being full and the inability of residents to use the residential convenience centers.

To work towards resolving this issue, the newly renovated Center View Road Multipurpose Convenience Center, located at 951 Center View Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862, will reopen on August 26th and serve as the first multipurpose site to serve both Sevier County residents and short-term rental unit cleaning companies. Additionally, County officials are evaluating other potential sites to be designated as Multipurpose Convenience Centers.

Under the enforcement of the residential waste-only policy at the other ten (10) residential convenience centers, all short-term/overnight rental cleaning companies must dispose of their waste at the Center View Road Multipurpose Convenience Center beginning Monday, August 26, 2024.

The multipurpose site was designed to better accommodate the needs of cleaning companies, including extended operating hours and even hours on some holidays.

The hours for the Center View Road Multipurpose Convenience Center are:

Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day (other holiday hours vary)

These hours of operation are subject to change.

Per Resolution 2023-10-03, which the Sevier County Board of Commissioners passed in October 2023, all short-term rental unit cleaning companies must pay a fee to dispose of the waste generated at the overnight rental units they clean. The fees for short-term rental unit cleaners at this site are broken down into three (3) levels:

Level 1 ($10): Pickup Truck Full Load, Short Trailer Full Load, Long Trailer Half Load, and Half Load Pickup Truck and Half Load Short Trailer
Level 2 ($15): Pickup Truck Over Limit, Short Trailer Over Limit, Long Trailer Full Load, and Pickup Truck Full Load and Short Trailer Full Load
Level 3 ($20): Pickup Truck with Rails, Short Trailer with Rails, and Pickup Truck Full Load and Long Trailer Full Load

Cash and cards (debit and credit) are acceptable payment methods at the Center View Road Multipurpose Convenience Center. Sevier County residents disposing of household waste at the site will still be able to do so free of charge and take advantage of the extended hours the multipurpose site offers.

The enforcement of these policies, and the reopening of the Center View Road Multipurpose Convenience Center, are expected to significantly increase capacity at the other ten (10) residential convenience centers for Sevier County residents, ensuring better service and reduced wait times.

Failure to comply with the new policies by littering will not be tolerated in Sevier County. All State of Tennessee and local litter laws will be strictly enforced. Littering between five (5) and ten (10) pounds is considered criminal littering and a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in a sentence of up to six (6) months in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.

More information, including the locations and addresses for all convenience centers, can be found on the Sevier County Government website: https://www.seviercountytn.gov/government/departments/services/solid_waste.php