Cobb County, GA Short-Term Rentals: Extended Home Share (2026)
Key Facts
- Certificate required
- Per rental property
- Stay limit
- 30 consecutive days
- Application fee
- $55.00 annually
- Fines
- $500, then $750, then revocation
Summary
Cobb County requires a short-term rental certificate from the business license division before anyone rents a residential property in the unincorporated area to transient guests for 30 days or less.
A short-term rental certificate is required to be obtained from the business license division for each short-term rental property.(2)No person shall rent, lease or otherwise exchange for compensation all or any portion of a property as short-term rental without first obtaining a short-term rental certificate from the county.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 78-407 requires a short-term rental certificate from the business license division for each residential property in unincorporated Cobb County rented to transient occupants for stays of 30 days or less; renting without one is unlawful. Owners must designate a 24-hour rental agent, notify any HOA and adjoining owners, and pay a $55.00 annual application fee. Violations carry escalating fines of $500, then $750, then certificate revocation after a third offense within 12 months.
Violations & Fines
A first violation within 12 months draws a $500 fine, a second draws $750, and a third triggers certificate revocation and a 12-month application ban under Sec. 78-407(j).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my Cobb County house on Airbnb without registering?
What happens if I operate a short-term rental without a certificate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cobb County
Compare Cobb County to another location·View the Georgia short-term rentals overview
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