Short-term rental rules · Atlanta, Georgia
Short-term rentals in Atlanta, explained properly.
Atlanta requires an annual short-term rental license ($150 application) for any rental of 30 days or less. Today a license can cover only the owner's or long-term tenant's primary residence plus one additional unit, but Ordinance 26-O-1510, adopted September 21, 2026, deletes that limit effective January 1, 2027. Occupancy is limited to two adults per bedroom, a 24-hour agent is required, and three violations at a property bring a 12-month license ban. Guests pay an 8% hotel-motel tax, 8.9% sales tax and Georgia's $5-per-night fee.
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| License required? | Yes. No one may rent all or part of a dwelling unit for 30 days or less without a short-term rental license, and the license number must appear on every advertisement[1][2] |
| How many units can one person license? | Until January 1, 2027, an owner or long-term tenant can license their primary residence and one additional dwelling unit. Ordinance 26-O-1510 deletes that limit from Sec. 20-1004(d) effective January 1, 2027; an amendment to cap hosts at two units failed[1][3][4] |
| License fee | $150 non-refundable application fee; licenses are applied for annually and can't be transferred to another person or location[1] |
| Occupancy limit | Two adults per bedroom[1] |
| 24-hour agent | Each license names a short-term rental agent who is reachable at all times, handles problems at the property and posts their name and emergency number in the unit; the license itself must be posted inside, and exterior signs aren't allowed[1] |
| Penalties | $500 per fully adjudicated violation. Three violations at the same property mean the city revokes pending licenses and rejects applications for that property for 12 consecutive months[1] |
| Taxes | 8% City of Atlanta hotel-motel tax, 8.9% sales tax (City of Atlanta rate in both Fulton and DeKalb counties) and Georgia's $5.00 per night hotel-motel fee[1][5][6] |
| Enforcement | The city has accepted license applications since 2022 but repeatedly extended its enforcement date; council members said in September 2026 that much of the ordinance hasn't been enforced. How enforcement will work after January 1, 2027 isn't yet published[2][4]Confirming |
Watch this market
Want to know when Atlanta's rules change?
We watch Atlanta's official rule pages, council agendas and Georgia legislation. When a change affecting short-term rentals is proposed or passed, we email you what changed, when it takes effect, and a link to the source.
Alerts are free.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.
Detailed rules
The full picture, section by section
Changes
Recent and pending changes
We read the City Planning STR page, Land Development Code Part 20 on Municode and the legislative record for Ordinance 26-O-1510 in a browser, plus Georgia Department of Revenue tax pages. The city's STR page still describes an extended enforcement date. Watch for implementation guidance before January 1, 2027 and for any new caps proposed after the two-unit amendment failed.
City Council voted 9-5 on September 21, 2026 to delete the limit to a primary residence plus one additional unit from Sec. 20-1004(d). A proposed two-unit cap failed. The change takes effect January 1, 2027.
Ordinance 20-O-1656 created the short-term rental license, agent, occupancy and tax rules; the regulations took effect March 1, 2022.
Sources
Every rule above links to one of these
Newsletter
Not tracking Atlanta specifically?
One email a month with STR rule changes across the US markets we track.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.
Questions
Managing properties in several cities?
Tell us what you're trying to decide and which markets you operate in. We read every message.
This page is general information compiled from public sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.