Chatham County, GA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum fine
- $100 per noise citation
- Posting requirement
- Sign inside unit lists noise restrictions
- Animal noise
- Must comply with Animal Control Ordinance
- Revocation ground
- Noise complaints under §16-1308(1)(c)(i)(b),(e)
- Arrest/conviction risk
- Can support outright license revocation
Summary
Chatham County short-term rental licenses must post noise restrictions on a sign inside the unit, and any citation for violating the county's noise ordinance at the rental draws a fine of not less than $100 under Code §16-1310(2), with repeated noise complaints able to trigger suspension or outright revocation of the license.
b. In addition to the license, a sign shall be posted listing the parking rules, occupancy rate, any noise restrictions, emergency contact information and point of contact listed in the license. ... k. All animals being housed at any short term rental shall comply with the Animal Control Ordinance of the County including noise violations and all other regulations. ... 2. Should any property be cited for the noise ordinance of Chatham County, the violation shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100.
Full Breakdown
The county folds noise directly into the short-term rental license: §16-1303(1)(b) requires a sign posted inside the unit listing any noise restrictions alongside parking rules, occupancy rate and emergency contacts, and failing to post it can itself support revocation under §16-1303(1)(c). Noise from animals kept at the rental is separately covered: §16-1304(1)(k) requires that all animals being housed at any short term rental comply with the Animal Control Ordinance of the County including noise violations and all other regulations, a requirement the owner must re-affirm at every annual renewal under §16-1305(1)(f).
When a noise citation is actually issued against the property, §16-1310(2) sets the penalty: any property cited for the noise ordinance of Chatham County is punished by a fine of not less than $100. Noise is also listed among the substantiated-complaint categories that can support license revocation or denial under §16-1308(1)(c)(i)(b) and (e), covering both criminal or noise-violation complaints to any law enforcement agency and general noise violations. If law enforcement is called to the rental for noise and an arrest and conviction result, §16-1308(1)(a) allows outright revocation or denial on public-safety grounds.
Three or more complaints of any kind, including noise, trigger a formal BSRS/County Manager investigation and a possible 30-day suspension under §16-1307(1)(c), and any resulting suspension, denial or revocation can only be appealed in writing to the County Manager under §16-1309.
Violations & Fines
A noise-ordinance citation at a short-term rental carries a fine of not less than $100 under §16-1310(2). Noise is also a listed ground for license revocation or denial under §16-1308(1)(c)(i)(b) and (e), and an arrest and conviction stemming from a noise-related law-enforcement call can support outright revocation on public-safety grounds under §16-1308(1)(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fine for a noise complaint at a Chatham County short-term rental?
Does the noise rule cover pets at the rental?
Can noise complaints get my short-term rental license revoked?
How many noise complaints trigger an investigation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chatham County
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