Short-term rental permit rules in Chatham County, GA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Any dwelling rented for fewer than 30 days in unincorporated Chatham County must hold a valid short-term rental license issued by Building Safety & Regulatory Services (BSRS). Renting without one is a violation. Savannah and Tybee Island each require their own separate STVR certificate.
The county license (Article XIII, §16-1303) is issued only to owners with an ownership interest; renters cannot apply (§16-1304). Each application is reviewed by the Chatham County Police Department for illegal activity in the prior two years, must name a valid local point of contact, outline parking rules, prove hotel/motel-tax collection, and show fire subscription service and a fire extinguisher on site. The license must be posted inside the unit, and a sign listing parking, occupancy, noise rules and emergency contact posted for guests. Inside the cities of Savannah and Tybee Island, the municipal STVR permit applies instead of the county license.
Operating without a license for more than one night draws a citation, an immediate cease-and-desist order, and a fine of 50% of the license fee (§16-1310).
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