Dougherty County, GA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Anyone offering a short-term vacation rental in unincorporated Dougherty County must first secure a short-term vacation rental certificate under Sec. 2-19-4, plus an occupational tax certificate and payment of hotel-motel and other applicable taxes under Sec. 2-19-3. 00 non-refundable fee. The application must identify the owner (and, for entities, all partners, officers or directors), the rental address, and a designated 24-hour short-term vacation rental agent (STVRA) who must be reasonably available, appear on-site within 24 hours of a notification of problems, accept service of violation notices, and monitor the unit for compliance; any change of STVRA must be reported to Planning and Development Services within five business days.

Owners must state the maximum occupancy (matching what is advertised) and the number of on-site parking spaces, which must be on gravel, concrete, asphalt or another improved surface. § 44-3-70 et seq. Certificates are not transferable; a change of ownership requires a new application and a new fee, though other informational changes can be amended without an extra fee. Sec. 2-19-6 directs the director of planning and development services to grant the certificate unless the applicant fails to meet the chapter's conditions, cannot show compliance with local, state or federal law, or fails to demonstrate compliance with applicable codes; false statements are grounds for denial, suspension or revocation. Under Sec. 2-19-8(b), operating after April 1, 2025 without a valid certificate doubles the application fee owed.