Clayton County, GA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Clayton 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
- Yes, per unit
- Pre-permit inspection
- Building and fire codes
- Permit term
- One year
- Authority
- County Code § 22-901
- Cities
- Own rules apply
Summary
Unincorporated Clayton County requires every short-term rental unit to hold a county permit. Before a permit issues, the property is inspected for compliance with all building and fire codes, and the permit is valid for one year.
Each individual short-term rental unit shall be permitted with the county. Prior to issuance of a permit for a short-term rental unit, each property containing a short-term rental unit shall be inspected for compliance with all building and fire codes. A short-term rental unit permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 104).
Full Breakdown
Clayton County Code Article XII (Ord. No. 2019-22) governs short-term rentals in the unincorporated county. Section 22-901(c) requires each individual unit to be permitted with the county, and the property must pass a building and fire code inspection before the permit is issued. A permit lasts one year from issuance and must be renewed. Section 22-901(a) makes clear STR units may only be operated pursuant to this article, so unpermitted rentals are prohibited. The rules are cumulative to Section 1.5 of the county zoning ordinance, meaning zoning approval for the use in the applicable district still applies. Incorporated cities such as Jonesboro, Forest Park, and Riverdale set their own STR and business-license rules, so confirm which jurisdiction covers your address.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit violates Section 22-901. Under Section 22-903(b) the county attorney may seek an injunction against anyone running an STR without a valid county business license, and Section 22-902 allows denial, suspension, or revocation of the permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in unincorporated Clayton County?
Does the county permit cover cities like Jonesboro?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clayton County
How Clayton County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Clayton County to another location·View the Georgia short-term rentals overview
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