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

The county's short-term rental ordinance defines occupancy rate in Code §16-1302(7): no more than two adults per bedroom, plus two additional adults, may occupy the rental property at one time. If the unit itself is a recreational vehicle or tent, the manufacturer's listed capacity governs instead of the per-bedroom formula. Section 16-1303(2) makes the cap directly enforceable: no person operating a short term rental may violate the occupancy rate outlined in the ordinance. The occupancy figure is a license condition, not just posted policy: BSRS requires every licensed rental to post a sign inside the unit listing the occupancy rate alongside parking rules, noise restrictions and emergency contacts under §16-1303(1)(b).

A property that exceeds the cap faces two separate consequences. First, under §16-1310(3), a conviction for exceeding the maximum occupancy rate carries a fine of not less than $150. Second, occupancy violations are listed among the substantiated-complaint grounds for license revocation or denial under §16-1308(1)(c)(i)(d), meaning a landlord can lose the license entirely, not just pay the fine. Three or more public complaints about occupancy or other Article violations also trigger a BSRS or County Manager investigation into license compliance under §16-1307(1)(c), during which the County Manager may suspend the license for up to 30 days pending a hearing. Any appeal of a suspension, denial or revocation goes in writing to the County Manager, whose decision is final under §16-1309.