Forsyth County, GA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Overnight cap (sewer)
- 2/bedroom + 2, max 15
- Overnight cap (septic)
- 2/bedroom, max 15, all ages counted
- Daytime cap
- Overnight count + 4, max 19
- Overnight hours defined
- 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Apartments
- Never eligible for STR license
- Third violation fine
- Up to $1,000.00 plus revocation
Summary
Forsyth County caps overnight occupancy at two people per bedroom plus two, never more than 15 overnight guests total, with the formula tightening for septic-served rentals. Daytime guests can push the property to 19 people total, but only between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
(3)Occupancy for short-term rentals served by sewer: The number of overnight occupants shall not exceed two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons per residence meeting all life-safety code requirements, but in no case shall rental occupancy exceed 15 overnight persons total. For the purpose of maximum occupancy, those persons under two years of age shall not be counted;(4)Occupancy for short-term rentals with onsite septic system: The number of overnight occupants shall not exceed two persons per bedroom, and shall meet all life-safety codes, but in no case shall rental occupancy exceed 15 overnight persons total. The maximum capacity shall be based on the number of bedrooms. All occupants, regardless of age, are counted as persons;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 43).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 22-267(c)(3)-(4) sets two occupancy formulas depending on utilities. A short-term rental served by public sewer may sleep two persons per bedroom plus two additional people per residence, provided all life-safety code requirements are met, but overnight occupancy can never exceed 15 people total regardless of bedroom count, and children under two are not counted toward that cap. A rental on an onsite septic system is capped more strictly at two persons per bedroom with no additional per-residence allowance, still subject to the 15-person overnight ceiling, and here every occupant counts regardless of age.
Sec. m. Every bedroom counted toward these limits must meet the building-code definition of a sleeping room, have an operable emergency escape window or door to the exterior, and meet IRC ceiling-height standards current as of the rental's certificate of occupancy (Sec. 22-267(c)(5)). The owner or local contact person must limit occupancy by written agreement with the designated responsible person (Sec. 22-267(c)(1)), and every advertisement for the rental must state the licensed maximum occupancy (Sec. 22-267(c)(2)). The county requires a sworn certification at licensing that all bedrooms and their egress meet applicable safety codes (Sec. ).
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the licensed occupancy is enforced through the article's progressive penalty scale in Sec. 22-270(a): a first violation within 12 months draws up to a $250.00 magistrate court fine and a written warning; a second draws up to $500.00 and a 30-to-90-day license suspension; a third draws up to $1,000.00, license revocation, and a 12-month bar on reapplying. Each day an over-occupied rental operates counts as a separate violation (Sec. 22-270(e)), and the board of commissioners may immediately suspend or revoke a license if occupancy no longer meets the article's qualifications (Sec. 22-269(3)). Denials and revocations can be appealed to the board of commissioners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum overnight occupancy for a Forsyth County short-term rental?
Does Forsyth County count young children toward short-term rental occupancy?
Can more people stay during the day than overnight at a Forsyth County rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
Compare Forsyth County to another location·View the Georgia short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.