City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Athens, GA
How Athens regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here operate under a registration or permit system with ongoing operating rules.
- STR-specific permit/registration process in force since 2024 ordinance (Code §9-15-28)
- Two-track system: Home Occupation STR (owner-occupant/long-term-tenant only, one structure per parcel) vs Commercial STR (no owner-occupancy requirement)
- Commercial STRs (whole-home, non-owner-occupied) permitted outright or by special use depending on zoning district; not foreclosed citywide
- Additional notice/disclosure standards apply in RM-1/RM-2/RM-3, C-G, C-D, C-O, C-N, C-R, E-O, E-I districts
- 60-month sunset period (extendable via administrative recoupment-methodology process) for pre-existing legal non-conforming STR uses identified on a county-published list
- 7% local hotel-motel excise tax collected by operators
Based on: Code of Athens-Clarke County §9-15-28 (Short-term rentals), adopted 2024-02-06; amended by ordinance adding §9-15-29
Summary of the rule
If an STR is permitted outright in a certain zoning district and meets all applicable code standards, it shall be considered a conforming use. If an STR is approved as a special use in a certain zoning district, it shall be considered a conforming use if all necessary permits have been issued and the STR is operated in accordance with such permits.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 15, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Athens · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.