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Georgia · Chatham County

Chatham County

county Restricted Needs review · last verified 2026-07-15

Covers UNINCORPORATED Chatham County, Georgia only. BASELINE REGIME (fully quote-anchored to the ordinance): short-term rentals are legal but require an annual Short Term Rental license (marketed as the "Short Term Vacation Rental Certificate") from the Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services (BSRS) under Chatham County Code of Ordinances Chapter 16, Article XIII (§§16-1301 to 16-1311). §16-1311 states verbatim: "This Ordinance shall become effective on July 1, 2020. (Ordinance adopted March 6, 2020.)" The ordinance regulates property "leased, rented or otherwise traded for money for a short term rental of less than 30 consecutive days" (§16-1301); §16-1302(1) defines a short term rental as use "for 30 days or less at one time," excluding use by family/blood kin and any use not in exchange for consideration. Fee is $350 initial (§16-1304(1)(a)) and $350 renewal (§16-1305(1)(a)); "Each license once granted shall be valid until the next June 30th. License fees are not prorated" (§16-1304(2)) and "Each license shall be renewed annually by July 1" (§16-1305(1)). Applicants must hold an ownership interest (renters ineligible, §16-1304(1)(d)); clear Zoning Administrator, Fire Inspector, Tax Commissioner and Chatham County Police review (application packet, Staff Use Only page); carry homeowner's/structural coverage "at least equal to the value of the structure or $300,000" listing the unit as a rental (§16-1304(1)(l)); name a local point of contact (§16-1304(1)(f)) who per the application packet must "appear on the premises within 24 hours"; and post the license inside the unit plus a rules sign covering parking, occupancy, noise and emergency contact (§16-1303(1)(a)-(b)). Occupancy is capped at "no more than two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults" (§16-1302(7)); RVs/tents use the manufacturer's rating. Licenses are non-transferable (§16-1303(4)); all advertisements "must include a valid license number" (§16-1303(6)). Lodging is taxed 6% by the county (§16-402), remitted to Chatham County Finance "on or before the 20th day of each month" (§16-403), with a 3% innkeeper collection fee (§16-404); since July 1, 2021 marketplace innkeepers (Airbnb/VRBO) collect and remit directly (§16-405, HB 317). No county tax applies to stays "more than thirty (30) consecutive days" (§16-401). Georgia's $5.00/night state hotel-motel fee also applies to STRs booked through marketplace innkeepers (HB 317, eff. July 1, 2021). Operating without a license "for greater than one night" draws a citation, an immediate cease and desist order, and a fine of 50% of the license fee (§16-1310); parking and noise violations carry fines of not less than $100 each, and exceeding occupancy not less than $150. CURRENT RESTRICTION (secondary-sourced — the reason str_status is "restricted" rather than "allowed_with_registration" and the record is needs_review): on July 10, 2026 the County Commission approved a 120-day moratorium under which the county will not accept or process new STVR licenses, permits or applications, running until 11:59 p.m. November 7, 2026 unless shortened or extended; existing licensees and in-progress applications are reported unaffected. A new applicant therefore cannot obtain a license today. This is corroborated by two independent local news outlets (WTOC and WSAV) with consistent specifics, but NO Chatham County primary source (resolution, agenda item, or BSRS notice) could be located — the county news page and the BSRS site carry no such notice, and the STR application packet is silent on it. Confirm with BSRS at 912-201-4300 before relying on either the moratorium's existence or its exact end date. NOTE: some news coverage states the current STR ordinance was adopted in 2021; that conflicts with §16-1311 and most likely refers to the §16-405 marketplace-innkeeper amendment effective July 1, 2021 — the Article XIII adoption date of March 6, 2020 is quote-anchored and controls. NOTE: this record covers unincorporated county territory only — the City of Savannah, Tybee Island, Pooler and other incorporated municipalities in Chatham County run separate STR regimes.

Not legal advice. Last verified 2026-07-15 · sources linked below.

Requirements checklist

  • county Short Term Rental License (Short Term Vacation Rental Certificate) Required
    Fee: $350 / annual · Renewal: Valid until the next June 30th; must be renewed annually by July 1 ($350 renewal fee). NOTE: the code is internally inconsistent — §16-1304(2) says valid 'until the next June 30th' while §16-1305(2) says a renewed license 'shall be valid for one year from the date the renewal is granted'; the county application packet states certificates are 'renewable annually by June 30th'. This inconsistency is verified as present in the primary source, not a transcription error. · Applies to: Any property used as a short term rental (30 days or less at one time) in unincorporated Chatham County · official page ↗
  • county Occupation Registration (Occupational Tax) Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: — · Applies to: Anyone offering short term rentals to the public in Chatham County · official page ↗
  • county Ownership interest required (renters ineligible) Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Proof of the owner's current ownership of the short-term rental unit (deed, tax records, etc.) required at each renewal · Applies to: All STR license applicants · official page ↗
  • county Zoning Administrator approval Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: — · Applies to: Each STR application (sign-off on the application form) · official page ↗
  • county Fire Inspector review / Life Safety Compliance Verification Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Completed Life Safety Compliance Verification Form required at renewal · Applies to: Each STR application; the fire inspector sets the occupancy load · official page ↗
  • county Tax Commissioner clearance (ad valorem taxes paid) Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: A copy of current Ad Valorem (property) tax receipt from the Chatham County Tax Commissioner required at renewal · Applies to: Each STR application and renewal · official page ↗
  • county Chatham County Police Department review Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: At renewal, applicant must affirmatively list any contact with CCPD or other law enforcement in the last year · Applies to: Each STR application · official page ↗
  • county Homeowner's / structural insurance listing the unit as a rental Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Proof of homeowner's insurance indicating the property is used as a short-term rental (must list owner's name, address of rental unit, and policy dates) required at each renewal · Applies to: Every property used as an STR · official page ↗
  • county Local point of contact / agent (local, available 24 hours, must appear within 24 hours) Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Must be affirmed at renewal (§16-1305(1)(d)) · Applies to: Every STR; agent details required if other than owner · official page ↗
  • county Post license inside unit + rules sign Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Regulation Sign is per tax year and must be renewed by June 30th per the application packet · Applies to: Every licensed STR · official page ↗
  • county License number required in all advertisements Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: — · Applies to: Every listing on any platform, app, or printed ad · official page ↗
  • county Homeowners Association Affidavit / no conflicting land-use restrictions Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Completed HOA Affidavit required at renewal; must affirm no violation of covenants/deed restrictions/HOA rules (§16-1305(1)(g)) · Applies to: Each STR application · official page ↗
  • county On-site services: fire subscription, fire extinguisher, weekly trash service Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Must be affirmed at renewal (§16-1305(1)(h)); proof of trash pick-up service and proof of fire service (current invoices) required · Applies to: All rental units listed in any application · official page ↗
  • county Notarized public-benefit (O.C.G.A. §50-36-1) and E-Verify (O.C.G.A. §36-60-6) affidavits Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Both affidavits are expressly NOT required for renewals · Applies to: New STR applications · official page ↗
  • county Tax and compliance recordkeeping Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: — · Applies to: All license holders · official page ↗
  • county Proof of marketplace innkeeper contract or direct hotel/motel tax returns Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Must affirm all taxes collected and timely remitted (§16-1305(1)(e)) · Applies to: Each STR application · official page ↗

Taxes

TaxRateAdministered byAirbnb remitsVrbo remits
Chatham County Hotel/Motel Excise Tax — — — —
Georgia State Hotel-Motel Fee — — — —
Georgia state and local sales and use tax on accommodations — — — —

Operating rules

Primary residence
No
Min stay (nights)
—
Max nights / year
—
Max occupancy
—
Zoning-restricted
—
Cap on licenses
—

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Frequently asked questions

Is Airbnb legal in Chatham County?
Covers UNINCORPORATED Chatham County, Georgia only. BASELINE REGIME (fully quote-anchored to the ordinance): short-term rentals are legal but require an annual Short Term Rental license (marketed as the "Short Term Vacation Rental Certificate") from the Department of Building Safety & Regulatory Services (BSRS) under Chatham County Code of Ordinances Chapter 16, Article XIII (§§16-1301 to 16-1311). §16-1311 states verbatim: "This Ordinance shall become effective on July 1, 2020. (Ordinance adopted March 6, 2020.)" The ordinance regulates property "leased, rented or otherwise traded for money for a short term rental of less than 30 consecutive days" (§16-1301); §16-1302(1) defines a short term rental as use "for 30 days or less at one time," excluding use by family/blood kin and any use not in exchange for consideration. Fee is $350 initial (§16-1304(1)(a)) and $350 renewal (§16-1305(1)(a)); "Each license once granted shall be valid until the next June 30th. License fees are not prorated" (§16-1304(2)) and "Each license shall be renewed annually by July 1" (§16-1305(1)). Applicants must hold an ownership interest (renters ineligible, §16-1304(1)(d)); clear Zoning Administrator, Fire Inspector, Tax Commissioner and Chatham County Police review (application packet, Staff Use Only page); carry homeowner's/structural coverage "at least equal to the value of the structure or $300,000" listing the unit as a rental (§16-1304(1)(l)); name a local point of contact (§16-1304(1)(f)) who per the application packet must "appear on the premises within 24 hours"; and post the license inside the unit plus a rules sign covering parking, occupancy, noise and emergency contact (§16-1303(1)(a)-(b)). Occupancy is capped at "no more than two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults" (§16-1302(7)); RVs/tents use the manufacturer's rating. Licenses are non-transferable (§16-1303(4)); all advertisements "must include a valid license number" (§16-1303(6)). Lodging is taxed 6% by the county (§16-402), remitted to Chatham County Finance "on or before the 20th day of each month" (§16-403), with a 3% innkeeper collection fee (§16-404); since July 1, 2021 marketplace innkeepers (Airbnb/VRBO) collect and remit directly (§16-405, HB 317). No county tax applies to stays "more than thirty (30) consecutive days" (§16-401). Georgia's $5.00/night state hotel-motel fee also applies to STRs booked through marketplace innkeepers (HB 317, eff. July 1, 2021). Operating without a license "for greater than one night" draws a citation, an immediate cease and desist order, and a fine of 50% of the license fee (§16-1310); parking and noise violations carry fines of not less than $100 each, and exceeding occupancy not less than $150. CURRENT RESTRICTION (secondary-sourced — the reason str_status is "restricted" rather than "allowed_with_registration" and the record is needs_review): on July 10, 2026 the County Commission approved a 120-day moratorium under which the county will not accept or process new STVR licenses, permits or applications, running until 11:59 p.m. November 7, 2026 unless shortened or extended; existing licensees and in-progress applications are reported unaffected. A new applicant therefore cannot obtain a license today. This is corroborated by two independent local news outlets (WTOC and WSAV) with consistent specifics, but NO Chatham County primary source (resolution, agenda item, or BSRS notice) could be located — the county news page and the BSRS site carry no such notice, and the STR application packet is silent on it. Confirm with BSRS at 912-201-4300 before relying on either the moratorium's existence or its exact end date. NOTE: some news coverage states the current STR ordinance was adopted in 2021; that conflicts with §16-1311 and most likely refers to the §16-405 marketplace-innkeeper amendment effective July 1, 2021 — the Article XIII adoption date of March 6, 2020 is quote-anchored and controls. NOTE: this record covers unincorporated county territory only — the City of Savannah, Tybee Island, Pooler and other incorporated municipalities in Chatham County run separate STR regimes.
Do I need a license or registration for a short-term rental in Chatham County?
Yes — Chatham County requires: Short Term Rental License (Short Term Vacation Rental Certificate); Occupation Registration (Occupational Tax); Ownership interest required (renters ineligible). See the requirements checklist for fees, renewal, and official links.
What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Chatham County?
Chatham County Hotel/Motel Excise Tax, Georgia State Hotel-Motel Fee, Georgia state and local sales and use tax on accommodations. Use the lodging-tax estimator on this page for a specific stay.

Official sources

Related coverage

In Georgia

Cities in this county Savannah · Tybee Island

Informational summary of publicly available sources; not legal advice. Verify against the linked official sources.