Snellville's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Snellville, Georgia, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Insurance Requirements

Snellville does not mandate STR liability insurance. Hosts should confirm their homeowner policy permits short-term rental activity or obtain a commercial/STR-specific rider. Airbnb AirCover and VRBO Liability Insurance provide platform-level coverage up to $1 million per booking.

Key details: City Requirement: None. Homeowner Policy: Verify STR coverage. Airbnb AirCover: Up to $1M liability. Recommended: $1M liability minimum. STR Rider Cost: ~$200-$500/year.

No city penalty. Coverage gaps are a host-risk issue; claims can be denied by carriers.

Snellville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to insurance requirements. That said, there are still limits.

Occupancy Limits

Snellville has no STR-specific occupancy cap. The International Property Maintenance Code, adopted via Georgia's State Minimum Standard Codes, governs - generally 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional occupants, subject to minimum square footage per person and fire-code egress requirements.

Key details: Standard: IPMC: 2 per bedroom + 2. Snellville Cap: None specific. Fire Egress: Required per bedroom. Min Room Size: 70 sq ft first occupant. HOA Limits: Often stricter.

Overcrowding under IPMC: citation from code enforcement, up to $1,000 fine plus daily recurrence under Snellville general penalty (Section 1-12).

Parking Rules

Short-term rental guests in Snellville must park on the driveway or legal on-street spaces only. Parking on grass, lawns, or unpaved front yards is prohibited by the property maintenance code. RVs and trailers cannot be stored overnight on the street, and street parking may be limited on narrower residential roads.

Key details: Grass Parking: Prohibited. Driveway: Improved surface required. Street Parking: Per GA 40-6-200. RV/Trailer: No overnight on street. STR Ratio: None specified.

Parking on unpaved surfaces: citations issued by code enforcement, typically $50-$250 per occurrence. On-street obstruction violations under GA Code 40-6-203: up to $150.

Registration Rules

Snellville Ord. 2019-15 (Sept 2019) requires a separate Snellville business license for each short-term rental (rentals of 30 consecutive nights or less). Application fee $250 new / $100 renewal, filed with the Planning Department, and a Gwinnett County hotel/motel occupancy tax certificate is required before listing.

Key details: Ordinance: Ord. 2019-15 (Sept 2019). STR Definition: Rented 30 consecutive nights or less. Application Fee: $250 new / $100 renewal. Business License: One per STR unit (Planning Dept.). Hotel/Motel Tax: 8% Snellville + 4% state + $5/night.

Operating an STR without a Snellville business license, without a hotel/motel tax certificate, or out of compliance with the application terms triggers a written warning, then escalating fines, then license revocation per the ordinance.

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

Night Caps

Snellville's short-term rental ordinance (Ord. 2019-15) does not impose an annual cap on the total nights a property may be rented, and Georgia has no statewide STR night cap. The only nightly limit is the per-stay definition: an STR is a dwelling rented for 30 consecutive nights or less.

Key details: Annual Night Cap: None in Snellville ordinance. Per-Stay Limit: 30 consecutive nights or less. Statewide Cap: None in Georgia. Ordinance: Ord. 2019-15 (Sept 2019). HOA/Covenants: Check separately - may add limits.

Because no annual night cap exists in Snellville's STR ordinance, there is no city citation for exceeding a yearly nights total. Renting the same guest for more than 30 consecutive nights converts the arrangement to a residential lease outside the STR ordinance.

Snellville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to night caps. That said, there are still limits.

Taxes & Fees

Stays under 90 days subject to: 4% GA state sales tax + Gwinnett County local option sales taxes + hotel-motel excise tax. $5/night state hotel fee (O.C.G.A. §48-13-50.3) also applies.

Key details: State Sales Tax: 4%. State Hotel Fee: $5/night. Gwinnett Hotel-Motel Tax: Applies. Local Sales Tax: Gwinnett SPLOST applies. Platform Collection: Airbnb/VRBO collect state.

Permit Requirements

Snellville requires an occupation tax certificate (business license) for rental operations. Check with City Hall (770-985-3500) before listing on Airbnb/VRBO. No dedicated STR ordinance as of 2025 - zoning compliance required.

Key details: Business License: Required. Dedicated STR Ordinance: None. Contact: 770-985-3500. Zoning Check: Required before listing.

Operating without business license: citation and back-tax assessment.

Noise Rules

STR guests in Snellville must comply with the city noise ordinance. Hosts are liable for guest disturbances. Residential quiet hours of 11 PM to 7 AM are enforced by Gwinnett County Police. Repeat noise complaints can jeopardize a host's occupation tax certificate and business standing.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 11 PM-7 AM. Host Liability: Yes, for guest conduct. Enforcement: Gwinnett County Police. Max Fine: $1,000. Repeat Violations: Can revoke business license.

Noise ordinance violation: misdemeanor up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months per Section 1-12 general penalty. Repeat violations can trigger occupation-tax-certificate revocation.

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

The Bottom Line

Snellville's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Snellville is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Snellville can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.