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

Carroll County Code Article IV of Chapter 22, the Carroll County Short-Term Rental Ordinance (§ 22-70), makes it unlawful under § 22-74(a) to rent, lease or otherwise exchange for compensation any portion of a dwelling as a short-term rental, defined at § 22-73 as lodging provided for 29 consecutive days or fewer, without first obtaining a license. The license is non-transferable to another person or entity and valid only at the address for which it was issued (§ 22-74(b)-(c)). Owners apply annually to the Carroll County Community Development Department under § 22-75(a), naming a short-term rental agent who serves as 24-hour contact and providing the unit address, parking count, and a signed acknowledgment of the article's requirements.

Section 22-77(a) requires the county to grant the application under due-process principles unless the applicant cannot meet the article's requirements or other law, and false statements are grounds for denial, suspension or revocation. Every licensed short-term rental must also pass a site inspection by the county fire marshal for life-safety code compliance at least once every five years (§ 22-77(b)). Section 22-74(d) clarifies the license does not replace or excuse compliance with the county's occupation tax, regulatory fee, business license, or zoning requirements. of 5-4-21(2) and applies only in unincorporated Carroll County; Carrollton, Villa Rica, Temple, Bowdon, Whitesburg, Mount Zion and Roopville regulate short-term rentals, if at all, under their own municipal codes.