Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Chatham County, GA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Chatham County, GA, but with restrictions. Short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated Chatham County require a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate and must meet zoning and life-safety requirements; occupancy is limited to no more than two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults, parking diagrams and compliance with the county noise ordinance are required, and a local 24-hour emergency contact must be posted. Owners must provide proof of ownership, homeowner’s insurance listing the property as an STR, proof of trash and fire service, and evidence of marketplace advertisement for hotel/motel tax collection; HOA approval or affidavit requirements apply. 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.

Short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated Chatham County require a Short-Term Vacation Rental Certificate and must meet zoning and life-safety requirements; occupancy is limited to no more than two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults, parking diagrams and compliance with the county noise ordinance are required, and a local 24-hour emergency contact must be posted. Owners must provide proof of ownership, homeowner’s insurance listing the property as an STR, proof of trash and fire service, and evidence of marketplace advertisement for hotel/motel tax collection; HOA approval or affidavit requirements apply.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Chatham County. 1) Complete and submit the county Short-Term Vacation Rental application and all required attachments (Life Safety Compliance Verification form, HOA affidavit, proof of ownership, homeowner’s insurance listing STR use, current ad valorem tax receipt, proof of trash and fire service, parking diagram, proof of advertisement for hotel/motel tax) and pay the $350 application fee. 2) County staff conduct zoning and fire review/inspections as applicable; applications must show the property is properly zoned and meet life-safety/fire requirements. 3) Renew annually (renewal window May 1–June 30); renewal fee $350 (late renewals subject to $175 late fee).

1) Complete and submit the county Short-Term Vacation Rental application and all required attachments (Life Safety Compliance Verification form, HOA affidavit, proof of ownership, homeowner’s insurance listing STR use, current ad valorem tax receipt, proof of trash and fire service, parking diagram, proof of advertisement for hotel/motel tax) and pay the $350 application fee. 2) County staff conduct zoning and fire review/inspections as applicable; applications must show the property is properly zoned and meet life-safety/fire requirements. 3) Renew annually (renewal window May 1–June 30); renewal fee $350 (late renewals subject to $175 late fee).

Vrbo is permitted in Chatham County, 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 Chatham County 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 Chatham County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.