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

The City of Decatur (DeKalb County) adopted a short-term rental ordinance that takes effect with mandatory registration in 2026, administered by the Planning and Zoning Division (str@decaturga.com). Under the adopted rules posted on the city's Short-Term Rentals page, maximum overnight occupancy is set at two people per guest room plus two additional people per property, with an absolute cap of ten people overnight regardless of how many bedrooms a unit contains. During daytime hours, up to four additional guests or visitors may be present, but the total persons on site at any time cannot exceed the maximum overnight occupancy plus four, or fourteen persons, whichever is less. Only single dwelling units are eligible to operate as short-term rentals; in duplexes, walk-up flats, and stacked flats, no more than one dwelling unit per building may be rented as a short-term rental at a time. The ordinance also limits citywide STR density (no more than three short-term rentals within a 1,000-foot radius in residential areas, and a citywide cap on the total number of permitted units), and requires every online listing or advertisement to disclose the maximum occupancy, the maximum number of vehicles, the noise ordinance, the prohibition on outdoor amplified sound (other than household speakers), and the name, address, and phone number of the local designated property manager who must respond within one hour. The city contracts with Deckard Technologies to monitor compliance and run a 24-hour complaint hotline. Decatur sits within the broader Georgia Hotel-Motel Tax framework (O.C.G.A. §48-13-50 et seq.), so STR stays remain subject to state sales tax and any applicable local lodging taxes in addition to the occupancy rules.