Augusta-Richmond County does not have an STR-specific occupancy ordinance, but the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance limits a residential dwelling unit to a single family, defined to include no more than three unrelated adults. International Property Maintenance Code occupant-load standards adopted by Augusta also apply, and life-safety occupant load is governed by the Georgia State Minimum Standard Building and Fire Codes for any dwelling rented to transients.
Augusta regulates residential occupancy primarily through the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of Augusta-Richmond County (effective 2019, as amended), which restricts most residential zones (R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D, R-1E, R-2, R-3A, R-3B, R-3C and R-MH) to a single-family use. The Ordinance defines a family in a way that limits a dwelling unit to one or more persons related by blood, marriage, or legal adoption, plus a maximum of three unrelated adults living together as a single housekeeping unit, which functions as the practical occupancy ceiling for an entire-house short-term rental in residentially zoned areas. Augusta has also adopted the International Property Maintenance Code as part of its Property Maintenance and Housing Code under the Augusta-Richmond County Code, which sets minimum sleeping-room area standards, generally 70 square feet for the first occupant and 50 square feet for each additional occupant in a sleeping room. For STRs, the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes (NFPA 101 / IBC) determine life-safety occupant load through the Augusta Fire Marshal, and STR operators must obtain an Augusta Occupational Tax Certificate (business license), register with the Georgia Department of Revenue for the 4 percent state sales tax and the $5 per night state hotel-motel fee, and remit the Augusta-Richmond County hotel-motel excise tax (currently 6 percent under O.C.G.A. 48-13-50 et seq., with local proposals to raise it to the 8 percent statutory maximum). 2025 Georgia House Bill 555 (Georgians First Residential Property Protection Act) did not enact statewide STR preemption, so Augusta retains full local authority over STR occupancy and zoning.
Exceeding the family/unrelated-adult cap or IPMC sleeping-room standards is a Property Maintenance Code violation enforced by Augusta License & Inspections, with citations issued through Augusta Magistrate Court. Per O.C.G.A. 36-1-20 and the Augusta Code, general ordinance violations are punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 60 days, with each day a separate offense.
Augusta, GA
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