Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Clarke County, GA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Clarke County, GA, but with restrictions. STRs are limited to stays under 31 days. Home Occupation STRs require the applicant to be an owner-occupant or long-term tenant (primary residency) and are limited to one structure per parcel. Commercial STRs are restricted to specific zones and may require a Special-Use Permit; all operators must obtain a Business Occupation Tax Certificate and collect a 7% hotel/motel tax. 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.

STRs are limited to stays under 31 days. Home Occupation STRs require the applicant to be an owner-occupant or long-term tenant (primary residency) and are limited to one structure per parcel. Commercial STRs are restricted to specific zones and may require a Special-Use Permit; all operators must obtain a Business Occupation Tax Certificate and collect a 7% hotel/motel tax.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Clarke County. For Home Occupation STRs: Submit a Residential STR Home Occupation Application with a notarized affidavit and two forms of ID to prove primary residency for review by Planning and the Fire Marshal. For Commercial STRs: Submit a Construction Plans Review application via the ACC Online Submittal Portal, ensuring any required Special-Use Permits are obtained first.

For Home Occupation STRs: Submit a Residential STR Home Occupation Application with a notarized affidavit and two forms of ID to prove primary residency for review by Planning and the Fire Marshal. For Commercial STRs: Submit a Construction Plans Review application via the ACC Online Submittal Portal, ensuring any required Special-Use Permits are obtained first.

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