Short-Term Rentals in DeKalb County, GA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
No one may rent out a dwelling unit as a short-term rental in unincorporated DeKalb County without an annual permit from the county's business license division, and the permit is barred entirely in locally designated historic districts, under Sec. 4.2.15.C of the zoning code.
DeKalb County Short-Term Rental Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27 (Zoning), Sec. 4.2.15.C
C.The following supplemental regulations apply to all short term rentals:1.No person shall rent, lease or otherwise exchange for compensation all or any portion of a dwelling unit as a short term rental...without first obtaining a permit from the county's business license division of the department of planning and sustainability...2.No permit issued under this section may be transferred or assi...
Noise Rules
DeKalb County short-term rental owners must pledge to prevent the rental from disrupting the neighborhood, may not advertise the property for parties or special events, and remain fully subject to the county's chapter 16 nuisance and noise ordinance, under Sec. 4.2.15.C.
DeKalb County STR Party and Noise Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27 (Zoning), Sec. 4.2.15.C.3.f, C.7, C.9
f.Owner's agreement to use his or her best efforts to assure use of the premises by occupants will neither disrupt the neighborhood nor interfere with the rights of neighboring property owners to the quiet enjoyment of their properties...7.Owners and/or short term rental agents are prohibited from advertising, marketing, and/or promoting the use of his or her short term rental for a special eve...
Taxes & Fees
Unincorporated DeKalb County charges an 8 percent excise tax on every short-term rental stay of 30 days or less. Innkeepers collect the tax from occupants, register with the business license division, and remit returns monthly. Stays over 30 days, domestic-violence and disaster displacement lodging, and official government travel are exempt.
DeKalb County Short-Term Rental Occupancy Tax
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code §§ 24-176, 24-177
There shall be imposed, assessed, levied and paid an excise tax of eight (8) percent of the rent for occupancy of a short-term rental in the unincorporated area of the county, as authorized by O.C.G.A. § 48-13-51(b). ... No tax shall be imposed under this article upon any of the following: (1) Overnight lodgings, rooms, or accommodations furnished for a period of more than thirty (30) continuou...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Unincorporated DeKalb County requires short-term rental permit applicants to state the number and location of on-site parking spaces, though the zoning code sets no fixed per-bedroom minimum for STRs.
DeKalb STR Parking Disclosure Rule
Some RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 4.2.15.C.3.e
Applicants shall submit an application for a short term rental permit to the county's business license division on an annual basis. Application fees shall be established by the department. Such application shall include:a.Name, address, telephone number and email address of the owner(s) of record of the dwelling unit for which a permit is sought;b.Address of the dwelling unit to be used as a sh...
Host Presence Rule
Under Sec. 4.2.15.A of the DeKalb County zoning code, the operator of a bed and breakfast or home stay establishment in the unincorporated county must reside on site, and a home stay guest may not stay longer than seven consecutive days unless they are the owner or an employee.
DeKalb County Bed and Breakfast Host Residency
Significant RestrictionsDeKalb County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27 (Zoning), Sec. 4.2.15.A-B
A.The following applies to all bed and breakfast establishments:1.The operator of the establishment shall reside on site.2.The use shall require a building permit and approval of the fire department.3.Rooms to be let may not be equipped with cooking facilities.4.No restaurant use is permitted...5.The bed and breakfast shall not be operated in such a way as to change the residential character of...
Repeat Violator Strikes
DeKalb County does not wait for a pattern of misconduct before acting against a short-term rental. Under Code § 4.2.15.C.4, the director of planning and sustainability shall suspend or revoke an STR permit once any single condition listed in Sec. 15-45 is determined to have occurred, and the same provision lets the director deny a new application or a renewal on those grounds.
DeKalb STR Permit Revoked on Any Violation
Significant RestrictionsDeKalb County Code § 4.2.15.C.4
The director of the department of planning and sustainability is hereby authorized to deny an application, or a renewal thereof, for a short term rental permit under this subsection pursuant to section 15-45 of this Code. Furthermore, the director shall suspend or revoke a short term rental permit based on the determination that one (1) or more of the conditions outlined in section 15-45 has oc...
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