South Fulton, GA Short-Term Rentals: Repeat Violator Strikes (2026)

Sec. 12-3009 sets up South Fulton's short-term rental enforcement ladder. Under subsection (a), the city manager or designee must notify the rental owner of every instance where nuisance behavior by a guest or the agent's own conduct results in a citation for a code violation or other legal infraction. Subsection (b) requires the city to maintain a file for each rental location recording all code violation charges, founded accusations and convictions. Once a property owner accumulates three code violations for that particular property within 12 consecutive months, the city 'shall revoke any issued permit and reject all applications for the subject premises for a period of 12 consecutive months,' and the revocation and one-year freeze are both mandatory, not discretionary.

Subsection (c) adds that if the unit is cited and found in violation of any zoning, building, health or life safety provision, the owner must first demonstrate compliance before becoming eligible for a new permit, and each rental date during a violation counts as a separate offense. An owner can appeal a revocation to the city manager or a designated hearing officer under subsection (e), but the appeal must be filed in writing within 30 calendar days of the adverse action; a timely appeal stays the revocation while it is pending.

The city manager or hearing officer must decide the appeal within 30 days of receiving it and issue a written ruling within five days of the hearing, which a losing party can then challenge by petition for writ of certiorari to the Fulton County Superior Court.