Short-Term Rentals in Houston County, GA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Houston County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
No dwelling unit in unincorporated Houston County may be used, rented, offered, or advertised as a short-term rental without a valid accommodation excise tax certificate under Section 19-23(a). Operating, renting, or advertising one without a current certificate is itself a separate violation under Section 19-23(b), independent of any zoning or tax rule the rental also has to follow.
Houston County Short-Term Rental Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsHouston County, GA Code of Ordinances § 19-23(a)-(b)
No dwelling unit, or any portion thereof, shall be used, operated, rented, offered, or advertised as a short-term rental within the unincorporated areas of Houston County, unless the owner of the dwelling unit applies for and possesses a valid and current accommodation excise tax certificate issued by Houston County in accordance with this section. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this s...
Taxes & Fees
Houston County charges a $150 accommodation excise tax certificate fee for each short-term rental applied for before July 1, dropping to $75 if filed later in the year, under Section 19-27(a)(1). Renewing that certificate for the following calendar year costs $100 per rental under Section 19-28(b)(1), and none of these fees are refundable once issued.
Houston County STR Certificate Fees
Some RestrictionsHouston County, GA Code of Ordinances §§ 19-27(a)(1), 19-28(b)(1), (d)
Pay and submit to Houston County a certificate fee of $150.00 for each short-term rental. If the application is filed prior to July 1 of a particular year, the full $150.00 fee shall be paid. If the application is filed after July 1, the certificate fee shall be $75.00 ... Pay and submit to Houston County an annual renewal fee of $100.00 for each short-term rental ... Fees paid for an accommoda...
Occupancy Limits
Houston County unincorporated short-term rentals may sleep no more than two guests per bedroom plus two additional people, capped at 15 total regardless of bedroom count, under County Code Section 19-22. Section 19-26(a) bars any host or guest from exceeding that number overnight between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and each posted certificate must list the limit at the front door.
Houston County Short-Term Rental Occupancy Cap
Some RestrictionsHouston County, GA Code of Ordinances §§ 19-22, 19-26(a)
Maximum occupancy rate means no more than two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons. A bedroom is a room or space within the short-term rental furnished with one or more beds and that is customarily used and intended primarily for sleeping. Children under 12 years of age shall not be included in determining the maximum occupancy of a short-term rental, but in no event shall occupancy...
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