Fayette County, GA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Fayette County, GA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before operating, code enforcement, § 8-201(a)
- Local contact
- Must respond in person to violations
- Term
- Calendar year, expires December 31, § 8-204
- Transferability
- Non-transferable between owners, § 8-205
- Max fine
- $1,000.00 and/or 60 days jail, § 8-213
Summary
Anyone operating a short-term tourist accommodation in unincorporated Fayette County, other than a hotel, campground or planned retreat and lodge, must obtain a permit from code enforcement before starting business and display the permit number on every advertisement, under Code § 8-201(a).
(a)Every person engaging in or about to engage in business as an operator of a tourist accommodation, excluding a hotel, campground facility, or planned retreat and lodge as defined in Chapter 110, shall immediately apply for a permit and obtain approval for the business with code enforcement on the forms provided by the same for such business. ... The permit number shall be included on all advertisements for the tourist accommodation.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8, Article VI of the Fayette County Code governs tourist accommodations, defined in § 8-200 as any property offering paid lodging to the public for stays of 30 consecutive days or less, which covers short-term rentals booked through platforms like Airbnb as well as bed and breakfasts. Section 8-201(a) requires every operator, other than a hotel, campground facility, or planned retreat and lodge as defined in Chapter 110's zoning code, to immediately apply for a permit with code enforcement before beginning business, and to print the permit number on all advertisements for the property.
2. Section 8-201(b) additionally requires a local contact person with authority to manage the property and respond in person when law enforcement or code enforcement notifies them of a violation or disturbance. Permits run on a calendar year under § 8-204, are not transferable between owners under § 8-205, and a separate permit is required for each individual location. Section 8-203 bars issuance to anyone with a felony or moral-turpitude conviction within five years, or a disqualifying misdemeanor within two years.
Violations & Fines
Operating a tourist accommodation without a permit, failing to keep the required guest register, making a false entry, or refusing to let a law enforcement officer inspect records violates § 8-213 and carries a fine up to $1,000.00 and/or imprisonment up to 60 days, without preventing separate revocation of the permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to rent my house short-term in unincorporated Fayette County?
What has to be included in a Fayette County tourist accommodation application?
Does a Fayette County short-term rental need a local contact person?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayette County
How Fayette County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Fayette County to another location·View the Georgia short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.