Atlanta's STR ordinance 16-O-1399 does not require host presence during guest stays, but it limits each owner to one license at a primary residence plus one license at a single non-primary residence, capping investor portfolios.
Atlanta passed Ord. 16-O-1399 in 2021 (effective 2022) creating a license framework for short-term rentals. Hosts do not have to be on-site during stays, distinguishing Atlanta from cities with strict host-occupancy rules. Instead, the ordinance restricts each individual to a maximum of two STR licenses: one at the owner's primary residence and one additional license at a single non-primary residential property. This structure permits whole-home rentals while preventing large investor portfolios from saturating neighborhoods. A local responsible party must be reachable 24/7 to respond to complaints within an hour. HOA covenants in neighborhoods like Buckhead or Virginia-Highland may impose stricter residency rules.
Operating without a designated 24/7 responsible party, or holding more than the two permitted licenses, can result in license denial, suspension, or revocation by the Atlanta Department of City Planning.
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See how Atlanta's host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
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