Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Houston County, GA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Houston County, GA, but with restrictions. Operators must obtain an accommodation excise tax certificate and remit a 5% lodging tax. Requirements include maintaining operable fire extinguishers, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in bedrooms and habitable floors, weekly trash collection, and keeping booking/tax records for three years. 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.

Operators must obtain an accommodation excise tax certificate and remit a 5% lodging tax. Requirements include maintaining operable fire extinguishers, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in bedrooms and habitable floors, weekly trash collection, and keeping booking/tax records for three years.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Houston County. 1. Submit an accommodation excise tax certificate application to the Finance Director. 2. Pay the $100 annual renewal fee and affirm compliance with safety standards (fire extinguishers, detectors, trash service). 3. Register for and remit the 5% lodging tax.

1. Submit an accommodation excise tax certificate application to the Finance Director. 2. Pay the $100 annual renewal fee and affirm compliance with safety standards (fire extinguishers, detectors, trash service). 3. Register for and remit the 5% lodging tax.

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