Decatur, GA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)

Under the City of Decatur's short-term rental ordinance, every operator must obtain an annual short-term rental permit before listing or renting a property. As part of that registration, the applicant must submit proof of insurance demonstrating that the property is covered for use as a short-term rental, in addition to proof of ownership and a completed application with the full property address. The city contracted with Deckard Technologies to administer the program, and Deckard is responsible for collecting processing fees, validating proof of ownership and proof of insurance, listing and validating available parking, running the 24-hour complaint hotline, and confirming each unit has completed its initial inspection (or annual self-inspection in subsequent years). The ordinance does not appear to set a specific minimum dollar amount for STR liability coverage in the city's published guidance — instead, the requirement is to carry insurance that explicitly covers short-term rental use, which standard homeowner's policies typically exclude. Hosts commonly satisfy this through a home-sharing endorsement, a dedicated short-term rental policy (often $500,000-$1,000,000 in liability), or platform-provided coverage from Airbnb's AirCover or Vrbo's Liability Insurance. The application package costs $125, must include public notification for fifteen days prior to license issuance, and the issued permit must be posted within the unit within six feet of the front door and incorporated into every rental agreement. Operators also remain subject to Georgia's Hotel-Motel Tax framework (O.C.G.A. §48-13-50 et seq.) and state sales tax on stays. For exact code language, applicants should consult the Decatur Code of Ordinances on Municode and the Planning Division at str@decaturga.com.