Occupancy Limits: Decatur vs Dunwoody
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Decatur, GA and Dunwoody, GA?
Decatur and Dunwoody have similar restriction levels.
Decatur, GA
DeKalb County
Decatur caps overnight occupancy at two people per guest room plus two additional people per property, never exceeding ten people overnight, with up to four daytime visitors allowed but a hard ceiling of fourteen total persons (or the overnight max plus four, whichever is less) per the city's adopted short-term rental ordinance.
View full Decatur rules →Dunwoody, GA
DeKalb County
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.
View full Dunwoody rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Decatur | Dunwoody |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight Occupancy | 2 per guest room + 2 per property | - |
| Hard Overnight Cap | 10 persons | - |
| Daytime Visitors Allowed | Up to 4 additional | - |
| Total Persons Cap (Daytime) | Overnight max + 4, or 14, whichever is less | - |
| Eligible Property Types | Single dwelling units only | - |
| Density Rule | No more than 3 STRs within 1,000 ft (residential) | - |
| Effective | Registration mandatory 2026 | - |
| 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 |
| DeKalb Co. 2025 STR Rule | - | Unincorporated only - not Dunwoody |
| Enforcement | - | Dunwoody Code Compliance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Decatur FAQ
How many overnight guests can stay in a Decatur, GA short-term rental?
Two people per guest room plus two additional people per property, and the overnight total can never exceed ten people, regardless of the home's size.
Can I host daytime visitors at my Decatur STR beyond the overnight cap?
Yes, up to four additional daytime visitors are allowed, but the total persons on site cannot exceed the overnight maximum plus four, or fourteen people, whichever number is smaller.
Are duplexes and stacked flats allowed to operate as STRs in Decatur?
Only one dwelling unit per duplex, walk-up flat, or stacked flat may be used as a short-term rental at a time. Only single dwelling units that meet city code are eligible.
Dunwoody FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Dunwoody Airbnb?
Dunwoody does not publish a guest cap because short-term rentals of fewer than 30 days are prohibited citywide for single-family and multi-family residences. For a lawful rental of 30 or more days, occupancy is limited by the Chapter 27 family definition and the Georgia State Minimum Standard IPMC sleeping-room minimums (70 sq ft for the first occupant, 50 sq ft for each additional).
Did the 2025 DeKalb County STR ordinance change Dunwoody's rules?
No. DeKalb County's 2025 Short-Term Rental Ordinance (TA-24-1246762, adopted July 24, 2025) applies only to unincorporated DeKalb County. Dunwoody, an incorporated city since 2008, regulates STR through its own Chapter 27 Zoning Ordinance and continues to prohibit rentals under 30 days.
Does Georgia HB 555 override Dunwoody's STR ban?
No. The Georgians First Residential Property Protection Act (HB 555, 2025) addresses institutional ownership of single-family rental homes. It does not preempt local zoning authority over short-term rentals, and Dunwoody's prohibition on rentals of fewer than 30 days remains in effect.
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