Short-Term Rentals in Dougherty County, GA (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Dougherty County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
In unincorporated Dougherty County, owners must obtain a short-term vacation rental certificate before renting a home for less than 30 days. The annual application costs $50, requires proof of ownership, a 24-hour local contact, and sworn compliance acknowledgments, and is reviewed by Planning and Development Services.
Dougherty County STR Certificate Permit
Significant RestrictionsDougherty County Code § 2-19-4
(a)An application for a short-term vacation rental certificate shall be submitted annually, under oath, on a form specified by the county administrator or county administrator's designee, accompanied by a fifty dollar ($50.00) non-refundable application fee as set forth by the county commission ... (3)The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the STVRA, which shall constitute th...
Noise Rules
Short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated Dougherty County must post written rules inside the unit acknowledging that the county's noise ordinance applies to occupants. County Code § 2-19-4(8)a requires guests be told it is unlawful to make noise exceeding the limits in any noise ordinance applicable to the county, and owners must use their best efforts to prevent disruption to neighbors.
STR Noise Rule in Dougherty County
Some RestrictionsDougherty County Code § 2-19-4(8)a
(8)The owner shall provide written rules posted in the short-term rental unit, including:a.Acknowledgement that it shall be unlawful to allow or make any noise or sound that exceeds the limits set forth in any noise ordinance applicable to the county.
Taxes & Fees
Short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated Dougherty County must hold an occupational tax certificate and pay all hotel-motel and local taxes before renting, per County Code § 2-19-3. Owners also pay a $50 non-refundable annual application fee for the short-term vacation rental certificate itself under § 2-19-4(a). Failure to remit taxes or register triggers the penalties in the county's hotel occupancy tax article.
Dougherty County STR Tax and Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsDougherty County Code §§ 2-19-3, 2-19-4(a)
Short-term vacation rentals may be offered to the public after issuance of a short-term vacation rental certificate, receipt of an occupational tax certificate (O.T.C.), and payment of all applicable state and local taxes. ... Failure to remit the same or register pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to the penalties in article III—Hotel occupancy tax, chapter 16, § 2 of the Dougherty Coun...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Short-term vacation rental applicants in unincorporated Dougherty County must state the number of on-site parking spaces available, and County Code § 2-19-4(6) requires vehicles to park only on gravel, concrete, asphalt, or other surfaces designated for parking. Section 2-19-4(8)b ties maximum occupancy to the amount of on-site parking, and § 2-19-7(b)(4) requires the posted certificate to list the maximum vehicle count.
STR Parking Requirements in Dougherty County
Some RestrictionsDougherty County Code §§ 2-19-4(6), 2-19-4(8)b, 2-19-7(b)(4)
(6)The owner shall state the number of on-site parking spaces available. Vehicles shall park only on surfaces improved with gravel, concrete, asphalt, or other surfaces designated for parking; ... b.Acknowledgement that the maximum occupancy of a short-term rental unit is limited to the amount of on-site parking for personal vehicles. ... (4)The maximum number of vehicles that may be parked at ...
Occupancy Limits
Short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated Dougherty County may not exceed the maximum overnight occupancy printed on the rental certificate. County Code § 2-19-3(2) bars owners from allowing overnight occupancy above that certificate limit, and § 2-19-4(5) requires the owner to state the maximum occupancy on the application, matching whatever number is advertised to renters.
STR Occupancy Caps in Dougherty County
Some RestrictionsDougherty County Code §§ 2-19-3(2), 2-19-4(5)
Owners shall not allow overnight occupancy to exceed the maximum capacity specified in the rental certificate. ... (5)The owner shall state the maximum occupancy for the residence, which shall be the same number as advertised and marketed to potential renters by or on behalf of the owner;
Insurance Requirements
Owners applying for a short-term vacation rental certificate in unincorporated Dougherty County must submit proof of homeowner's insurance that lists the unit as a short-term rental. County Code § 2-19-4(9) makes that proof part of the annual application package the county administrator or designee reviews before issuing or renewing a certificate.
Dougherty County STR Insurance Requirement
Some RestrictionsDougherty County Code §§ 2-19-4(9), 2-19-6
(9)Proof of homeowner's insurance listing the unit as a short-term rental; ... A certificate shall not be issued unless the owner demonstrates compliance with the applicable codes.
Host Presence Rule
Every short-term vacation rental in unincorporated Dougherty County must designate a short-term vacation rental agent (STVRA) who stays reachable around the clock. County Code § 2-19-4(3) requires the STVRA to be reasonably available to handle problems and to appear on the premises within 24 hours of notification of an issue from the county administrator or a designee.
STR Host Availability Rule in Dougherty County
Some RestrictionsDougherty County Code § 2-19-4(3)
(3)The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the STVRA, which shall constitute their twenty-four-hour contact information and who shall:a.Be reasonably available to handle any problems arising from the use of the short-term vacation rental unit;b.Appear on the premises within twenty-four (24) hours following notification of issues related to the use or occupancy of the premises ...
Repeat Violator Strikes
Short-term vacation rentals in unincorporated Dougherty County face an escalating fine schedule for repeat violations under County Code § 2-19-9, running from a $500 fine on a first offense to a $1,000 fine and a six-month O.T.C. revocation on a third offense within twelve months. Section 2-19-8(a) separately allows revocation of the rental certificate itself after three violations in that same twelve-month window.
Dougherty County STR Repeat-Violation Penalties
Significant RestrictionsDougherty County Code §§ 2-19-8(a), 2-19-9(a)
Three (3) violations within twelve (12) months shall result in the revocation of the short-term vacation rental certificate for twelve (12) months. ... (a)The fees and penalties for repetitive violations of this Code shall be applied as follows:(1)For the first violation within any twelve-month period, the penalty shall be a written notice of violation, and a fine of five hundred dollars ($500....
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