Campbell County occupies a narrow strip of East Tennessee running from the Knoxville metropolitan fringe in the south to the Kentucky state line in the north. Its economic history was shaped almost entirely by coal — the Jellico seams produced some of the best bituminous coal in Tennessee through the early 20th century — and while “King Coal” largely departed by the 1980s, its legacy persists in the county’s built environment, workforce culture, and income dynamics. Today, Campbell County’s economy rests on a mixed base of light manufacturing, tourism tied to Norris Lake’s 750 miles of shoreline and 11 marinas, I-75 corridor commercial activity, and a growing retiree and second-home market drawn to lakefront property.
With a 2020 population of 39,272, Campbell County falls below Tennessee’s 75,000-person URLTA threshold. Non-URLTA rules apply: landlord-tenant relationships are governed by Tennessee common law and general Title 66 provisions, without URLTA’s heightened habitability, repair-and-deduct, or anti-retaliation protections. The 14-day notice for nonpayment and lease violations still applies (T.C.A. § 66-28-505). Evictions are filed through General Sessions Court at 570 Main Street, Jacksboro.
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Jacksboro
Population
39,272 (2020)
Key Communities
LaFollette, Jellico, Jacksboro, Caryville, Rocky Top
Court System
General Sessions — 570 Main St, Jacksboro
URLTA Status
❌ Does Not Apply (pop. under 75,000)
Rent Control
None (state preemption)
Just-Cause Eviction
Not required statewide
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
14-Day Pay or Vacate (T.C.A. § 66-28-505)
Lease Violation Notice
14-Day Cure or Vacate
Filing Fee
~$100–$150
Court Address
570 Main St, Jacksboro, TN 37757
Court Phone
(423) 562-5185
Answer Deadline
6–15 days after filing
Writ Enforcement
Campbell County Sheriff
Campbell County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rent Control
None. T.C.A. § 66-35-102 prohibits local rent control statewide.
URLTA Coverage
❌ Does not apply. Population (39,272) is below the 75,000 threshold. Common law and general Title 66 provisions govern.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap. In non-URLTA counties, return with written itemization within a reasonable time (30 days recommended as best practice).
Habitability
Common law implied warranty of habitability applies. No statutory repair-and-deduct right as under URLTA.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited statewide regardless of URLTA status.
Late Fees
No statutory cap. Must be specified in the lease.
Norris Lake STRs
County zoning governs unincorporated lakefront properties. No known county-wide STR ordinance as of 2026 — verify current zoning before listing as vacation rental.
Coal Legacy Housing
Older housing stock in mining communities may have deferred maintenance or structural issues. Conduct thorough pre-lease inspections and document condition in writing.
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Tennessee has a dual-track eviction system. The URLTA (§66-28-505) applies to counties with population over 75,000 (covering ~75% of the population including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga). Non-URLTA counties use §66-7-109. Notice periods are 14 days for both tracks for nonpayment. Tenants have a mandatory 5-day grace period (§66-28-201(d)). The 14-day notice cannot be sent until after the 5-day grace period expires. If the same nonpayment recurs within 6 months, landlord can issue a 7-day unconditional quit notice (§66-28-505(a)(2)(B)). Filing fees vary by county ($100-$200).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the General Sessions Court. Pay the filing fee (~$130).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Tennessee eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Tennessee attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Tennessee landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Tennessee —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Tennessee's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
Ready to File?
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AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Tennessee requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Local Market & Screening Tips
Key markets: LaFollette, Jellico, Jacksboro, Caryville, Rocky Top
Norris Lake lakefront opportunity: With 11 marinas and 750 miles of shoreline partly within Campbell County, lakefront and lake-access properties can generate strong seasonal or annual rental income. Screen vacation rental tenants carefully — verify the property’s county zoning classification before marketing as STR.
Post-coal employment base: Light manufacturing, I-75 corridor services, and government/school employment now anchor the workforce. Verify stable employment and watch for gig-economy or intermittent income among applicants from former mining communities with higher unemployment pockets.
Campbell County Landlord Guide: Post-Coal Workforce Housing and Norris Lake Rental Opportunities
Campbell County is one of Tennessee’s most economically complex small counties. For more than a century, coal was the region’s defining industry — the Jellico seams fueled railroads and steel furnaces across the eastern United States, and entire communities like LaFollette, Jellico, and Caryville were built around mine employment. The departure of coal mining in the 1980s left a substantial legacy of deferred infrastructure investment, workforce displacement, and older housing stock that continues to shape the rental market today. Understanding this context is essential for landlords operating in Campbell County.
Non-URLTA Rules: What Changes for Landlords
Because Campbell County’s population (39,272) falls below Tennessee’s 75,000 URLTA threshold, landlords operate under a less tenant-protective legal framework. The codified URLTA habitability standard (T.C.A. § 66-28-304), statutory repair-and-deduct rights (T.C.A. § 66-28-502), and the anti-retaliation statute (T.C.A. § 66-28-514) do not apply in URLTA form. Common law principles govern habitability — courts have generally recognized an implied warranty of habitability in residential leases, but the standards are less defined and the tenant’s remedies are more limited than in URLTA counties. For landlords, this means somewhat greater flexibility but also a responsibility to maintain properties through solid lease drafting and proactive maintenance documentation rather than relying on statutory protections.
Norris Lake: A Distinct Rental Sub-Market
The southern portion of Campbell County borders Norris Lake, TVA’s first impoundment reservoir, with over 750 miles of largely undeveloped shoreline. The county hosts 11 marinas and draws significant boating, fishing, and vacation activity from the Knoxville metro area — LaFollette is only about 35 miles from Knoxville via US 25W and I-75. Lakefront cabins, docks, and lake-access properties represent a distinct rental opportunity with both STR potential and strong annual lease demand from retirees and second-home buyers who want lake access year-round. Cove Lake State Park, Indian Mountain State Park, and Norris Dam State Park all lie within or near the county, adding recreational draw. Landlords considering STR listings should verify county zoning classifications in unincorporated areas, as TVA shoreline-adjacent properties may have deed restrictions or additional permitting requirements.
Filing Evictions in Jacksboro
General Sessions Court for Campbell County is located at 570 Main Street, Suite 202, Jacksboro, TN 37757. Phone: (423) 562-5185. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM for some services. After serving a proper 14-day Pay or Vacate or Cure or Vacate notice and waiting out the notice period, file your detainer warrant at the Jacksboro courthouse. The Campbell County Sheriff enforces writs of possession post-judgment.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Tennessee attorney or contact Campbell County General Sessions Court for guidance on specific matters. Last updated: March 2026.
