The City of Sevierville has engaged in legal action against Camping World over a controversial 130-foot-tall flagpole, which the city alleges is in violation of local zoning ordinances. The lawsuit, filed on March 19, asserts that the flagpole on Dumplin Valley Road surpasses the city's height restriction for non-building structures, capped at 44 feet. WATE reports that the proceedings began when Camping World was denied a permit to erect the flagpole in February 2024, yet the company proceeded with the construction without filing an appeal.
The battle between the city and the RV rental company took a personal turn when Camping World's CEO Marcus Lemonis declared, "the flag was not coming down," attributing sentimental value to the flag, as it has been in his family since he was young. According to the city, there have been several opportunities for the business to adhere to the regulations, but to no avail. City officials have encountered threats stemming from misunderstandings surrounding the city's stance on the American flag, which according to them, is not at issue—the pole’s height is. WVLT cited Sevierville City Attorney M. Edward Owens confirming these difficulties faced by city employees.
The city's actions include mailing a letter from the Code Enforcement in January 2025, demanding compliance within 30 days and warning of potential legal consequences. With the company's continued noncompliance, Sevierville Police Department began issuing a $50 daily fine on March 5, for the zoning ordinance violation. The chancery court complaint filed by the city requests an injunction for the flagpole to be adjusted to meet the city's zoning laws, as per the report from WATE.
Meanwhile, social media has played the stage for statements from Lemonis regarding the dispute, with the CEO sharing correspondences from the city and pronouncing his intention to keep the flag flying. As the city staff endures the brunt of public opinion fueled by the CEO's remarks, the city reiterated its values in a statement—"True patriotism embodies respect for the values that unite our community—freedom of expression, responsibility, and civil discourse. Publicly attacking an employee for enforcing regulations is not a reflection of patriotism but a failure of basic human decency," WBIR reported. A court date has been scheduled for April 15, with the city earnestly seeking enforcement of its zoning rules.
