Georgia county rules

Bartow County, GA vacation rental rules and taxes

Bartow County draws visitors to Lake Allatoona and Red Top Mountain, with about 160 listings. The county has short-term rental standards for unincorporated homes, and we found no rules in Cartersville.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026

Market

About 160 listings

Cartersville 139, Adairsville 19 (AirROI).Source

Sales tax

Hotel-motel tax

8% county; 8% in Cartersville

Also 8% in Emerson and Adairsville.Source

County rules

Occupancy and safety standards

What to do

Then your city or area
Inside a city, the city’s own hotel-motel tax normally applies instead of the county’s; ask your city to confirm. Pick your area.

Towns

Full guide

Cartersville

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Cartersville’s code. Stays owe 7% sales tax + 8% hotel-motel tax + $5/night; Airbnb collects these on its bookings.

Full guide

Unincorporated Bartow County

Bartow County allows short-term rentals of single-family homes in residential zones under its 2023 standards: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 (no more than 15), one parking space per bedroom, and a response within an hour. We didn’t find a separate county permit.

Sources

Georgia Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
Sales and use tax rate chart, effective October 1, 2026 · Georgia Department of Revenue
Hotel/motel excise tax rates and revenue report · Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Code section · Bartow County (Municode)

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.