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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 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).

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Fayette County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(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?
Yes. Code § 8-201(a) requires anyone operating a tourist accommodation, which § 8-200 defines as paid lodging for 30 days or less, to apply for a permit with code enforcement before beginning business, unless the property is a hotel, campground or a planned retreat and lodge under Chapter 110's zoning code.
What has to be included in a Fayette County tourist accommodation application?
Section 8-202 requires the property address, current room rates, consent to a criminal background check and fingerprinting through the sheriff's office, proof of ownership or a lease, approvals from Environmental Health, the Fire Marshal, Planning & Zoning and Building Safety, and a copy of the state-mandated guest occupancy agreement.
Does a Fayette County short-term rental need a local contact person?
Yes. Section 8-201(b) requires a local contact person with authority to manage the property who must respond to the accommodation's location when notified by law enforcement or code enforcement of a violation, disturbance or emergency; the operator may serve as their own local contact.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Fayette County

All Fayette County rules

How Fayette County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Fayette County to another location·View the Georgia short-term rentals overview

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