HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The City of Hendersonville is seeking an injunction to stop what it says are illegal short-term vacation rentals in the city.

After 50 citations for illegal short-term rentals, the city filed suit against J&J Ventures LLC and its principals Jeremy R. Durham and Jessica Durham.

The city is seeking an injunction and further damages to permanently close its two vacation homes.

“The two properties at 540 Indian Lake Road and 107 Breakwater North have generated numerous complaints from residents and neighbors regarding noise, nighttime disturbances, increased and irregular traffic, and trespassing, all of which are due to violations of the short-term rental zoning regulations,” the city said.

A year ago, the city began issuing citations for the properties, and each of those citations in municipal court resulted in guilty verdicts. All of those verdicts have been appealed to Sumner County District Court, where the cases are still awaiting trial.

“Meanwhile, J&J Ventures has accumulated additional citations for continued violations of the City’s 2016 Ordinance (#2016-16). Under that ordinance, these short-term vacation rentals (STVR), defined as rentals for less than 30 days, are only permitted in the Old Town Commercial (recently renamed Dockside Neighborhood) and General Commercial areas of the City,” the City said.

A hearing on the temporary injunctions is scheduled for September 10, and a hearing on the permanent injunctions has not yet been scheduled.

“This property owner has chosen to violate zoning codes by using homes in residential neighborhoods as motels. He has been convicted and fined many, many times,” said Mayor Jamie Clary. “I have a responsibility to stand up for our residents and enforce the laws that the City Council passed. His short-term rentals have become a burden on city staff and neighbors. They deserve to get their neighborhood back. It’s time to take the next step to stop this ongoing illegal and intolerable behavior.”

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