Short-Term Rentals in Decatur, GA (2026)
3 verified short-term rentals rules for Decatur, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Before renting a home short term in Decatur, Georgia, an owner must obtain a short term rental permit and register a local designated property manager who is reachable 24 hours a day and can reach the property within one hour, per UDO Section 6.5.7.B.3.j and k. The City Commission can revoke that permit after a hearing on at least ten days' written notice.
Decatur, GA Short Term Rental Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance § 6.5.7.B.3.j, k, u
j.All short term rentals operating within the city must have a local designated property manager who is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, during all times that the short term rental is rented or used as a short term rental. Local designated property managers may be professional property managers, realtors, property owners, or another designated person who is a minimum of 21 years...
Taxes & Fees
Decatur, Georgia's Unified Development Ordinance requires every short-term rental owner to hold both a business license under the city's occupation tax chapter and to pay the city's hotel/motel excise tax, on top of the short-term rental use permit itself. The UDO folds licensing and tax compliance directly into the zoning permit condition.
Decatur GA Short-Term Rental Fees & Taxes
Some RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance § 6.3.7.B.3(q)-(s)
q.The owner of a short term rental shall obtain a business license for the short term rental and comply with all applicable provisions of Chapter 22, Article II, Occupation Taxes. r.The owner of a short term rental shall pay a hotel/ motel occupancy tax for the short term rental and comply with all applicable provisions of Chapter 94, Article III, Hotel Motel Excise Tax. ... s.Where a short ter...
Occupancy Limits
Decatur, Georgia's Unified Development Ordinance caps overnight guests at a short term rental at two people per guest room plus two more per property, never more than ten total, under Section 6.5.7.B.3.c. Daytime visitors cannot push the total past 14 or the overnight cap plus four, whichever is lower.
Decatur, GA Short Term Rental Occupancy Cap
Some RestrictionsDecatur Unified Development Ordinance § 6.5.7.B.3.c-d
c.Maximum overnight occupancy for short term rentals shall be two persons per guest room or sleeping room, plus two additional persons per property or a maximum occupancy as determined by the fire marshal, but under no circumstances shall the maximum occupancy exceed ten persons. The short term rental owner shall ensure that all contracts and online listings and advertisements clearly set forth...
Looking for DeKalb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Decatur city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in DeKalb County →