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

Section 16-1303(1) requires every property used as a short-term rental to hold a license validly issued by BSRS, posted inside the unit where renters can see it, alongside a sign listing parking rules, occupancy rate, noise restrictions and emergency contacts (§16-1303(1)(b)). Failing to post either document can result in license revocation (§16-1303(1)(c)), and operating any short-term rental without the required license is itself a violation under §16-1303(3). To qualify, §16-1304(1) requires the owner to pay a $350 initial fee to BSRS, show all ad valorem taxes paid, hold an ownership interest (renters cannot apply), pass a Police Department review for illegal activity on the property in the prior two years, list a local point of contact, disclose parking rules, verify tax status with the Tax Commissioner, and prove a current marketplace-innkeeper hotel/motel tax arrangement.

Licenses are non-transferable and tied to the person named on them (§16-1303(4)); a new owner must reapply. Each license runs through the following June 30 with no proration (§16-1304(2)), and renewal costs another $350 due by July 1 (§16-1305(1)(a)). Every requirement used to obtain the license must be continuously maintained for the life of the license (§16-1303(8)). Operating without a license for more than one night draws a citation, an immediate cease-and-desist order, and a fine of 50 percent of the license fee under §16-1310.