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Georgia county rules

Chattahoochee County, GA vacation rental rules and taxes

Cusseta-Chattahoochee County requires a yearly accommodation excise tax certificate for every short-term rental ($150 the first year, $100 to renew). Guests are capped at 2 per bedroom plus 2, up to 15, and stays owe 9% sales tax plus an 8% hotel-motel tax.

Checked against official sources November 6, 2026
Certificate
$150 first year, $100 renewal
$75 if you first apply after July 1. Expires December 31; renew by the second Monday of December.Source
Maximum guests
2 per bedroom + 2, up to 15
Children under 12 don’t count toward the per-bedroom limit. One party per unit.Source
Local contact
In person within 2 hours
Taxes
9% sales tax + 8% hotel-motel tax + $5/night

The rules apply countywide except on Fort Benning. Report changes, including a new local contact, within three business days. After a sale, the new owner has a 30-day grace period if they apply within seven days.

What to do

  1. Apply for the certificate

    Apply to the Community Development Department with the owner’s and any manager’s details, the parcel number, bedrooms per unit, parking spaces, a local point of contact (18 or older), and affirmations that the home has smoke and CO detectors, a fire extinguisher, weekly trash service, and no HOA or deed restriction against renting.Source

  2. Post and advertise correctly

    Post the certificate inside the front door with a notice listing the local contact, nearest hospital, maximum occupancy and vehicles, the noise rules, and emergency management websites. Put the certificate number in every listing.Source

  3. Taxes on each stay

    Stays here owe 9% sales tax, the local hotel-motel tax, and the $5-a-night state fee. Airbnb collects all three on its bookings. For direct bookings, file sales tax (and the $5 fee, if you need a local license) with the Georgia Tax Center. File the 8% accommodation excise (hotel-motel) tax with Cusseta-Chattahoochee County for direct bookings, and keep booking and tax records for three years.Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from Cusseta-Chattahoochee County Unified Government, Georgia’s published checklist.

  • Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every habitable floor
  • Charged fire extinguisher in each unit
  • Trash service at least weekly; bins secured

House rules for guests

Events
No commercial events
Source
Parking
Set a maximum number of cars; exceeding it is a violation
Source

Sources

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.