Dougherty County, GA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Section 2-19-4(3) makes the STVRA's contact information, name, address, telephone number, and email, part of every annual certificate application, and treats that information as the unit's twenty-four-hour contact. The STVRA must be reasonably available to handle any problems arising from use of the rental, must appear on the premises within twenty-four hours following notification of issues related to use or occupancy from the county administrator or designee, must accept service of any notice of violation related to the premises, and must monitor the unit for compliance with the chapter.

If the designated STVRA changes, § 2-19-4(3)e requires the property owner to notify the planning and development services department within five business days of the change. The certificate itself, posted inside the unit under § 2-19-7(b), must legibly display the STVRA's name, address, telephone number, and email address alongside the certificate number, maximum occupancy, and maximum parking count. Under the enforcement scheme in § 2-19-11, complaints are routed to the STVRA first: the county sends notice of a complaint to the STVRA on file, who is responsible for contacting the person responsible to correct the problem within a reasonable time and for confirming compliance back to the county.