Short-term rental permit rules in Clayton County, GA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Unincorporated Clayton County requires every short-term rental unit to hold a county permit. Before a permit issues, the property is inspected for compliance with all building and fire codes, and the permit is valid for one year.
Clayton County Code Article XII (Ord. No. 2019-22) governs short-term rentals in the unincorporated county. Section 22-901(c) requires each individual unit to be permitted with the county, and the property must pass a building and fire code inspection before the permit is issued. A permit lasts one year from issuance and must be renewed. Section 22-901(a) makes clear STR units may only be operated pursuant to this article, so unpermitted rentals are prohibited. The rules are cumulative to Section 1.5 of the county zoning ordinance, meaning zoning approval for the use in the applicable district still applies. Incorporated cities such as Jonesboro, Forest Park, and Riverdale set their own STR and business-license rules, so confirm which jurisdiction covers your address.
Operating without a permit violates Section 22-901. Under Section 22-903(b) the county attorney may seek an injunction against anyone running an STR without a valid county business license, and Section 22-902 allows denial, suspension, or revocation of the permit.
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