Rockdale County, GA Short-Term Rentals: Repeat Violator Strikes (2026)
Key Facts
- First violation (12 mo.)
- Citation, fine up to $500
- Second violation (12 mo.)
- Citation, fine up to $750
- Third violation (12 mo.)
- Fine up to $1,000, license revoked
- Revocation length
- 24 months, no reapplying
- Governing section
- Sec. 218-13(mmm2)(18)
Summary
Short-term rental violations in unincorporated Rockdale County escalate under Sec. 218-13(mmm2)(18): a $500 fine for a first offense in 12 months, $750 for a second, and a $1,000 fine plus a 24-month license revocation for a third, during which the owner cannot reapply for a rental license on that property.
(18)Any violation of the provisions of this section by occupants and/or guests of the short-term rental shall be enforced pursuant to this section and any other applicable code sections. ... The penalties for violations shall be as follows:a.For the first violation within any 12-month period, the penalty shall be a citation and a fine not to exceed $500.00.b.For a second violation within any 12-month period, the penalty shall be a citation and a fine not to exceed $750.00.c.For a third violation within any 12-month period, the penalty shall be a citation, a fine not to exceed $1,000.00, the revocation of the short-term rental license for 24 months, and the owner or local contact person shall not be eligible to reapply for a short-term rental on the property in violation for 24 months.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 218-13(mmm2)(17)b requires the Department of Planning and Development to maintain a record of code violation citations, findings of responsibility, and convictions for each short-term rental property. 00, the revocation of the short-term rental license for 24 months, and ineligibility for the owner or local contact person to reapply for a short-term rental license on that property for 24 months. Each day the rental is marketed or rented while in violation, and each separate code violation, is treated as its own count toward the three-violation total, so a single busy weekend can generate more than one strike.
Subsection (17)d also lets a court impose any other available remedy and suspend the license for a single violation for the rest of the license term, independent of the three-strike schedule, which the Department of Planning and Development applies through the citation process.
Violations & Fines
A third short-term rental violation within 12 months triggers a fine of up to $1,000, revocation of the license for 24 months, and a 24-month bar on reapplying for that property under Sec. 218-13(mmm2)(18)c, enforced by the Department of Planning and Development alongside citations issued by the Sheriff's Office or code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many short-term rental violations before I lose my license in Rockdale County?
What is the fine for a first short-term rental violation?
Can a court do more than just fine a short-term rental owner?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockdale County
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