How Dunwoody Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Dunwoody maintains 40 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Dunwoody falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Occupancy Limits

Dunwoody publishes no occupancy cap for short-term rentals because the rental of any single-family or multi-family residence for fewer than 30 days is prohibited under Chapter 27 of the City Code. The 30-day minimum lease is the operative rule.

Key details: STR Status: Prohibited under 30 days. Code Authority: Chapter 27 Zoning Ordinance. Minimum Lease: 30 days. Numerical Guest Cap: Not published (use prohibited). 30+ Day Practical Ceiling: Family definition + IPMC sleeping-room.

Operating a short-term rental of fewer than 30 days is a zoning violation enforceable by Dunwoody Code Enforcement (678-382-6890, compliance@dunwoodyga.gov). Per O.C.G.A. 36-1-20 and the Dunwoody Code, ordinance violations are punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail, with each day a separate offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Dunwoody's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Insurance Requirements

Dunwoody imposes no liability insurance minimum for short-term rentals because rentals of fewer than 30 days are prohibited under Chapter 27. There is no STR license to condition coverage on, and operating an unlawful rental voids most homeowner and platform host-protection policies.

Key details: City Insurance Mandate: None (use prohibited). Underlying Status: STR under 30 days banned. State Mandate: None under O.C.G.A. 48-13-50+. DeKalb Co. Insurance Rule: Unincorporated only - not Dunwoody. Homeowner Policy Coverage: Usually excludes under-30-day rental.

Insurance is not separately enforced by Dunwoody because STR operation under 30 days is itself prohibited and enforced as a zoning violation by Code Enforcement (678-382-6890). Per O.C.G.A. 36-1-20 and Dunwoody Code, violations are punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail, with each day a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Dunwoody actively enforces its insurance requirements requirements.

Noise Rules

Since STRs are banned in Dunwoody, there are no specific STR noise rules. General noise ordinance (Ch. 18) applies to all residential properties. Any commercial gathering or party house at a residence is separately prohibited.

Key details: STR Status: Banned — STR noise rules N/A. General Noise Code: Ch. 18 applies. Party Houses: Separately prohibited. Enforcement: 678-382-6890.

Noise violation: $250 to $1,000. Multiple complaints: permit review or revocation. Host responsible for guest behavior.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Dunwoody actively enforces its noise rules requirements.

Permit Requirements

Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are BANNED in Dunwoody. The city's zoning ordinance (Ch. 27) prohibits rentals of single-family and multi-family residences for periods of less than 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO are not permitted in residential zones. Enforcement is complaint-driven.

Key details: STR Status: BANNED — less than 30 days prohibited. Ordinance: Ch. 27 Zoning Ordinance. Registration: None — STRs not permitted. Platforms Affected: Airbnb, VRBO, all STR platforms. Enforcement: Code Compliance 678-382-6890.

Operating an STR may result in code enforcement action including fines and cease-and-desist orders. Complaint-driven enforcement by Code Compliance (678-382-6890).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Dunwoody actively enforces its permit requirements requirements.

Parking Rules

STRs are banned in Dunwoody; no separate STR parking rules exist. General residential parking ordinances apply. Dunwoody Code Enforcement (678-382-6890) handles parking complaints for residential properties.

Key details: STR Parking Rules: N/A — STRs banned. General Parking: Standard residential rules apply. Code Compliance: 678-382-6890. Topic: Parking Rules.

Parking violations: $50 to $200 per occurrence. STR parking non-compliance: permit conditions review.

Compared to other cities, Dunwoody takes a harder line on parking rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Taxes & Fees

Since STRs are banned in Dunwoody, there is no local STR tax or registration fee. Georgia state hotel-motel tax (GA Code §48-13-50+) would apply to any lawful rental lodging. Operating an illegal STR subjects the host to code enforcement penalties.

Key details: STR Tax: N/A — STRs prohibited. STR Registration: None offered. Long-Term Rentals: 30+ days allowed, standard rules. State Lodging Tax: GA Code §48-13-50+ (for legal lodging).

Failure to collect/remit taxes: penalties plus interest. GA DOR enforcement for state taxes. City enforcement for local Hotel/Motel Tax.

This is one of the stricter rules in Dunwoody's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Dunwoody is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 6 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Dunwoody, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Dunwoody's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.