Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Augusta, GA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Augusta, GA, but with restrictions. "Tourist House" is defined as "a private dwelling that supplies temporary accommodations to overnight guests for a fee"; short-term is defined in the zoning code as "less than 120 consecutive days." Tourist House and similar lodging uses are listed as permitted or permitted by Special Exception in specific residential and other zones and are subject to performance standards in Section 26-1. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

"Tourist House" is defined as "a private dwelling that supplies temporary accommodations to overnight guests for a fee"; short-term is defined in the zoning code as "less than 120 consecutive days." Tourist House and similar lodging uses are listed as permitted or permitted by Special Exception in specific residential and other zones and are subject to performance standards in Section 26-1.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Augusta. 1) Determine applicable zoning for the property and, if required, apply for a Special Exception or other zoning approval via the Planning & Development Rezoning/Special Exception application process; 2) Obtain applicable business license using the City’s Business Licenses forms (e.g., "Hotel Motel" form) and pay regulatory/occupation taxes per the city schedule; 3) Secure any required building permits/certificate of occupancy and satisfy code enforcement or safety inspections prior to operation.

1) Determine applicable zoning for the property and, if required, apply for a Special Exception or other zoning approval via the Planning & Development Rezoning/Special Exception application process; 2) Obtain applicable business license using the City’s Business Licenses forms (e.g., "Hotel Motel" form) and pay regulatory/occupation taxes per the city schedule; 3) Secure any required building permits/certificate of occupancy and satisfy code enforcement or safety inspections prior to operation.

Vrbo is permitted in Augusta, GA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Augusta are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Augusta. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.