Short-Term Rentals in Columbus, GA (2026)

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.9.3

No person shall rent, lease or otherwise exchange for compensation all or any portion of a dwelling unit as short-term rental, as defined in Section 4.9.2, without first obtaining a short-term rental permit pursuant to the regulations contained in this Article and then obtaining a business license from the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance. No permit issued under this chapter may be...

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.9.4.B.2(B)

The occupant(s)' acknowledgement that it shall be unlawful to allow or make any noise or sound that exceeds the limits set forth in the City's noise ordinance;(C)The owner and occupant(s)'acknowledgement that the unit is not being leased for and will not be advertised, promoted, or have any amenities provided for the purposes of providing any adult entertainment as defined in Article VI of Chap...

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance §§ 4.9.4(A), 4.9.8(D), 4.9.9

Short-term rental unit owners are subject to state sales tax, city taxes, including but not limited to the hotel/motel tax, and are liable for payment thereof as established by state law and the city code. The city may seek to enforce payment of all applicable taxes to the extent provided by law, including injunctive relief. ... A.Owners desiring to obtain a short-term rental permit shall submi...

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.9.7(A)(4)

A legible copy of the short-term rental unit permit shall be posted within the unit and include all of the following information:1.The name, address, telephone number and email address of the short-term rental agent:2.The short-term rental unit permit number;3.The maximum occupancy of the unit;4.The maximum number of vehicles that may be parked at the unit; andB.Short-term rental units must be ...

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.9.7(E)

Each rental unit is limited to no more than two (2) occupants per bedroom plus one additional occupant per unit.F.There shall be no change in the exterior appearance of the dwelling and premises, or other visible evidence of the conduct of a short-term rental unit.G.A minimum stay is considered twenty-four (24) hours. Short-term rental units shall not be rented for less than 24 hours. (Ord. No...

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.9.4(A), (B)(4)

A.Owners desiring to obtain a short-term rental permit shall submit, on an annual basis, an application for a short-term rental permit to the Director of Inspections and Code Enforcement. The application shall be furnished under oath on a form specified by the city manager, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee in the amount of $40.00 or as may be revised in the city's annual budget o...

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.9.10

for parcels of land that are not owner-occupied, as defined in Section 4.9.2, short-term vacation rentals are limited within each Historic District as provided below: Downtown Historic District—35 Weracoba/St. Elmo Historic District—20 High Uptown Historic District—15 Liberty Heritage Historic District—7 Waverly Terrace Historic District—16 Wildwood Circle Historic District—11 ...

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.9.2

Short-term rental unit means an accommodation for transient guests where, in exchange for compensation, a residential dwelling unit, either the primary structure or any approved accessory dwelling is provided for lodging for a period of time not to exceed 30 consecutive days. Such use may or may not include an on-site manager.

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance §§ 4.9.2, 4.9.10(A)

Owner-occupied property refers to real property which contains one or more dwelling unit(s) where the principal dwelling unit must be occupied by the property owner and constitute his/her primary and usual place of residence. Proof of owner-occupancy requires proof of a valid homestead exemption submitted with the application for a short-term vacation rental certificate. In lieu of homestead ex...

Columbus, Georgia Unified Development Ordinance § 4.9.8.B

When a property owner has accumulated three code violations for a particular property within a period of 12 consecutive months, the Department of Inspections and Code shall revoke any pending permits and reject all applications for the subject premises for a period of 12 consecutive months.