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Columbus, GA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Occupancy cap
2 per bedroom, plus 1
Must be posted
inside the rental unit
Minimum stay
24 hours
Enforced by
Inspections and Code Department
First-offense fine
$500.00

Summary

Columbus, Georgia caps every short-term rental unit at two occupants per bedroom plus one additional person, and the limit must be posted inside the unit.

Each rental unit is limited to no more than two (2) occupants per bedroom plus one additional occupant per unit.F.There shall be no change in the exterior appearance of the dwelling and premises, or other visible evidence of the conduct of a short-term rental unit.G.A minimum stay is considered twenty-four (24) hours. Short-term rental units shall not be rented for less than 24 hours. (Ord. No. 18-45, § 1, 10-9-18; Ord. No. 23-008, § 3, 1-31-23)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 75).

Full Breakdown

Section 4.9.7 of the Unified Development Ordinance limits each short-term rental unit in Columbus, Georgia (Muscogee County) to no more than two occupants per bedroom, plus one additional occupant for the unit as a whole. A legible copy of the permit posted inside the unit must state this maximum occupancy, and the unit must also display its current business license and a window/door sticker from the Inspections and Code Department. Owners who exceed the posted occupancy limit are subject to code-violation enforcement under the same chapter that governs short-term rental permitting, with citations heard in Muscogee County Recorder's Court.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the two-occupants-per-bedroom-plus-one cap is a code violation heard in Muscogee County Recorder's Court, with fines of $500 for a first offense, rising for repeat violations within 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can stay in a Columbus, Georgia short-term rental?
No more than two occupants per bedroom, plus one additional occupant for the unit, per UDO § 4.9.7(E).
Does the occupancy limit have to be posted in the unit?
Yes: a legible copy of the permit stating the maximum occupancy must be posted inside the short-term rental unit under § 4.9.7(A).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbus

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All Columbus rules

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