Short-Term Rentals in Forsyth County, GA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Forsyth County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Forsyth County requires an annual short-term rental license before anyone rents a property for less than 30 days, layered on top of the standard occupation tax. Only Agricultural or Agricultural Residential zoned properties with a conditional use permit qualify, and apartments are never eligible.
Forsyth County STR License Requirement
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 22-267(a)
(a)Required licenses:(1)The owner shall pay the required occupation tax and shall comply with all applicable provisions of article II of chapter 22 of this Code for business licenses and regulations;(2)The owner shall timely pay all property taxes owed for the real property on which the short-term rental is located;(3)No owner or local contact person of a short-term rental shall rent, lease, or...
Noise Rules
Forsyth County short-term rental guests must obey the county noise ordinance, Code Chapter 34, Article IV. Under Ordinance No. 129, guest noise violations count against the STR license and can trigger suspension or revocation.
Forsyth County STR Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 34-153
No person shall permit, operate or cause any source of sound to create a sound level in a residential zone or within any residential building during the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. in excess of 70 dB(A) or ten dB(A) above ambient levels (whichever is more), when measured at or outside the property boundary. The operation of a radio, phonograph, or other machine or device between the ...
Taxes & Fees
Forsyth County short-term rentals owe an 8% county hotel/motel excise tax on the rent, plus Georgia's 4% state sales tax and roughly 3% local sales tax. Platforms like Airbnb collect much of it; the $250 STR license is separate.
Forsyth County STR Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances ch. 22 (Hotel/Motel Excise Tax); Ord. No. 86
There shall be paid a tax of eight percent (8%) of the rent for every occupancy of a guest room in a hotel, motel, inn, lodge, tourist camp, tourist cabin, or campground in Forsyth County.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Forsyth County short-term rentals cap parked vehicles at one per bedroom or the paved parking lot's capacity, whichever is greater, and every vehicle counted this way includes trailers and watercraft. Vehicles can never sit on the county right-of-way or on unpaved yard surfaces.
Forsyth County STR Parking Requirements
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 22-267(c)(8)
(8)Parked vehicles:a.Shall be limited to the number designated in the short-term rental license application with the maximum allowable vehicles not to exceed one vehicle per bedroom, or the capacity of the paved or impervious surface parking lot, whichever is greater, at any one time for both daytime and overnight guests. A watercraft, travel trailer, or any other recreational trailer which is ...
Occupancy Limits
Forsyth County caps overnight occupancy at two people per bedroom plus two, never more than 15 overnight guests total, with the formula tightening for septic-served rentals. Daytime guests can push the property to 19 people total, but only between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Forsyth County STR Occupancy Caps
Some RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 22-267(c)(3)-(4)
(3)Occupancy for short-term rentals served by sewer: The number of overnight occupants shall not exceed two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons per residence meeting all life-safety code requirements, but in no case shall rental occupancy exceed 15 overnight persons total. For the purpose of maximum occupancy, those persons under two years of age shall not be counted;(4)Occupancy fo...
Repeat Violator Strikes
Forsyth County punishes repeat short-term rental violations with an escalating three-strike system under Code § 22-270: a first offense draws a magistrate-court fine up to $250 and a written warning, a second draws up to $500 and a 30- to 90-day license suspension, and a third draws up to $1,000 and outright revocation, barring reapplication for 12 months.
Forsyth County STR Repeat Violator Strikes
Significant RestrictionsForsyth County, GA, Code of Ordinances § 22-270
(a)Any violation of this article, including any violation of the noise regulations set forth in article IV of chapter 34 of this Code, shall subject the licensed individual to the following progressive actions by the board of commissioners...(1)The first violation within a consecutive 12-month period shall result in a fine in magistrate court not to exceed $250.00 and a written warning notice o...
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